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MSRON 4 Hosts Multinational Training During PANAMAX 2010

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100820-14
8/20/2010

By Lt. Andrew Gerla, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs

PANAMA CITY (NNS) -- Maritime Expeditionary Squadron (MSRON) 4 conducted training with Sailors from Guatemala, Panama, Colombia, and Nicaragua Aug. 16, as part of PANAMAX 2010, an annual exercise sponsored by U.S. Southern Command and designed to integrate a multinational task force in defense of the Panama Canal.

The training MSRON 4 provided included classroom instruction and practical application of search and rescue, boarding and confiscation, and entry control point methods and tactics. MSRON 4 Boat Detachment Officer-in-Charge, Lt. j.g. Matt Thrasher said the diverse background of the participants allowed the members to share their skills.

"Each nation really brings its own expertise to the training," he said. "Being able to exchange real-world experiences allows all involved to improve their service's future procedures and ensures future maritime cooperation."

Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Jose Tamayo said he learned as much from the students as they learned from the squadron Sailors.

"It's actually a great learning experience," said Tamayo. "I know myself, along with everyone else from MSRON 4, enjoyed being able to discuss real-world small boat interdictions with countries that are actually doing this on a daily basis. The Colombians' have the most experience in this field and listening to their sea stories was both funny and instructive."

With the start of real-world exercises not commencing until later in the week, MSRON 4 continued the classroom training, focusing on chemical, biological, and radiological training, combat first-aid, communications and environmental protection.

PANAMAX is one of the largest multinational training exercises in the world, and involves more than 2,000 personnel from 18 nations in this year's exercise. The annual exercise series focuses on ensuring the defense of the Panama Canal, one of the most strategically and economically crucial infrastructure systems in the world.