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Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13 Marines continue partnered training with Companie de Fusilier Marine Commandos

US Marine Corps News

By 1st Lt. Peter Koerner | Marine Forces Europe and Africa | January 23, 2014

TOUBACOUTA, Senegal -- Marines and sailors with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13 returned to Toubacouta, Senegal, recently, for the final portion of a four-week long maritime assistance force engagement with the Companie de Fusilier Marine Commandos.

After traveling together to Toubacouta via convoy, the Marines and commandos jumped right into an intensive training engagement that focused on infantry skills and small-boat operations. Almost all of the commandos had worked with Marines in the past, which allowed the engagement to quickly and smoothly start.

"We already had that foundation built up," said Cpl. Allen Duncan, a reconnaissanceman with the task force. "It really made the training possible."

The Marines, who were from SP-MAGTF Africa 13's Theater Security Team 3, and the commandos split up into two mixed groups. One group started on land and concentrated on patrolling tactics, land navigation skills, the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, detainee handling techniques and tactical combat casualty care. The other group was on the water, conducting riverine patrolling and raids as well as combat swimmer classes.

The engagement culminated in a final exercise, in which all the skills the forces practiced were tested. Both forces displayed their prowess, often borrowing tactics and techniques from one another.

"[The Senegalese Commandos] are a very motivated, very professional group," said Sgt. Tyler Wimer, the team logistics chief from Midlothian, Va. "I would [participate in these engagements] again for the rest of my career, if I could."

The COFUMACO impressed the Marines with the different ways they accomplished parts of the exercise.

"They had slightly different methods they would show us," said Duncan. "The moment you think you know everything is the moment you stop learning."

The Marines think their impact will be good for future partnership opportunities with the Senegalese.

"We made a lot of professional relationships; good friendships," said Duncan. "I think that will last, especially for the next Marines that come back. Every time we step on deck, [the Senegalese] are always happy to see us because they know that we're their friends and that we can work together."

"The amount of fun we had exploring the country, getting to meet the people, the rapport we established, it was a very good experience," said Wimer.