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Marines Train With Partner Nations at Exercise Lisa Azul

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120313-08
3/13/2012

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Travis Alston, Naval Station Rota, Spain Public Affairs

ROTA, Spain (NNS) -- As part of the trilateral exercise Lisa Azul, U.S. Marines from 3rd Platoon, Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST), Company Europe trained with Spanish marines from the 10th Mechanized Infantry Company and U.K. marines from the Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines, March 7.

Lisa Azul is a training exercise held twice a year that promotes partnership and maritime security while improving cultural understanding between the U.S., Spain and Great Britain. This year was the first time that members assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 8, Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 4, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 and Naval Station Rota's security department military working dog unit were involved with the exercise.

During the two weeks of training, the allied forces conducted live weapons training, fast rope drills and demonstrated urban combat and building-clearing procedures.

"The exercise focused on the exchange of enhanced conventional infantry tactics between U.S. Marines and two of our allies," said FAST Company Europe Commanding Officer Maj. Gary Cobb. "This exercise is an excellent example of different units coming together for two weeks to show interoperability at the platoon level." Cobb added that Rota is special because each unit has equal footing as they share tactics, techniques and procedures.

The exercise concluded with a final evolution in which all units worked together to secure an urban terrain objective.

"The exercise went great," said exercise Lisa Azul Officer in Charge Capt. Issac Olvera. "The Marines had an opportunity to showcase their tactical skills, learn from the techniques used by the other forces and learn about each others' customs."

Olvera also said being exposed to different techniques and procedures allows U.S. Marines and their counterparts to validate or improve their skills.

"We have already learned much from our counterparts," said Olvera. "We hope they can take what they have learned from us and utilize it when faced with an actual combat environment."

FAST Company Europe is a tenant command of Commander, Naval Expeditionary Task Force Europe and Africa (CTF 68). The Task Force is responsible for exercising tactical control and functional component command over assigned forces for the direction, control and approval of movements, maneuvers and operations necessary to accomplish Commander, 6th Fleet assigned missions and tasks.