Thursday, March 03, 2011

Marines, Sailors conclude training in Cambodia

PEACE KEEPING OPERATION TRAINING BASE, Kingdom of Cambodia-Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit dance to music played during a closing ceremony at the Cambodian Maritime Exercise, March 1. The ceremony concluded the bilateral training exercise involving forces of the Cambodia and the U.S. militaries. The 31st MEU visited and conducted bilateral training as part of the U.S. Pacific Command’s Theater Security Cooperation program with the Kingdom of Cambodia. The program provides a unique and dynamic opportunity for cooperation between the U.S. and Cambodian military, while also promoting relationship-building between militaries and local communities., Lance Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 
3/3/2011
By Lance Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 31st MEU
US Marines

Marines, Sailors conclude training in Cambodia — Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit successfully ended training exercises with the Cambodian military during a ceremony held March 1.

The ceremony, run by Cambodian service members, included traditional Cambodian music, food, and a gift for every Marine and Sailor present.

While the time spent in Cambodia training was short, the Marines accomplished their mission of sharing knowledge with Cambodian service members.


“It was fun training with the Cambodian military,” said Lance Cpl. Jeremiah F. Thain, with Company F, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st MEU. “The language barrier was hard, but we were still able to share a lot of valuable skills.”

During the training, the Cambodians were taught about crew-served weapons, small arms, improvised explosive device and mine detection, combat life saving skills, the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and mortar systems.

“The training the Marines were able to do with the Cambodian forces is extremely important on two levels,” said 1st Lt. Walker Huey, the executive officer for Headquarters and Service Company, BLT 2/5. “The first is this training helps everyone become more proficient as riflemen. The second is it’s important at a strategic level to ensure that we continue to foster and develop cooperation between our two nations.”

As the training wound down and the celebration of a successful exercise began, it was clear that Cambodian and the U.S. forces had become closer.

“We’ve built upon the foundation laid by earlier bilateral missions,” said Huey. “Because of this, Cambodia and the United States will continue to foster mutual friendship.”

In the end, when the training and ceremony had concluded, friends had been made by both sides.

“I have really enjoyed my time here in Cambodia,” said Thain. “I made a lot of good friends, and I hope I can come back sometime and teach them even more.”

The 31st MEU visited and conducted bilateral training as part of the U.S. Pacific Command’s Theater Security Cooperation program with the Kingdom of Cambodia. The program provides a unique and dynamic opportunity for cooperation between the U.S. and Cambodian military, while also promoting relationship-building between militaries and local communities.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Childish US Training..??

Anonymous said...

The only thing good with US army have is> GOOD WEAPONS! They are big and clumpsy!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks!!!

Anonymous said...

How come to get proceincy skill only 3 days?? it cannot. Yeah we have just friendship but USA is unclear policy for khmer since history. Thus khmer leader all generations be careful, please dont kill each other like khmer rouge. USA absolutely dont provide any weapon for khmer to protect our land forever, so we cannot rely on US but friendship ok. ur welcome US

Anonymous said...

Thanking Uncle SAM


Thank you for showing your present in the land of conflict to show that Cambodia is not alone and without you there won't be peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.

Anonymous said...

US fooling around again, not just middle east, but they once again screwing around in South East Asia too..? Cambodia must not forgotten...the PAST!

Anonymous said...

i love both cambodia and america. cambodia and american military should partner up from now on. cambodia wants america as well to help train and cooperative in many more bilateral engagement, etc. god bless cambodia and america.

Anonymous said...

wishing both countries the best!

Anonymous said...

Be careful trust no one but ourselves. No nation wants others to better than their. Everything in life has always been about compare and compete. What else can I say?. At the end of the day, those who trust in the Lord our God above all can be saved other than that trust no one.

Everything we do, we have to have this desperate measure. In other planly business, e.g build bridges, housings, roads, shoping centre, park or order some nuclear bombs to protect the country just like India, Pakistain, china, russia, Iran, north korea etc are nowing having these items to protect themself from being bullied by their neighbouring countries....Aust

Anonymous said...

correction: In other words...

Anonymous said...

may god bless all us marin live longer and save

Anonymous said...

i was a part of the team that whent to the PKO operation in the kindom of cambodia and it wasn't childish and we arnt clumsy just to sum up some of the bad things said we were there for the people to help and teach them some new ways of protecting the weaker person with our knowledge of CQC and CQB (Close Quarters Combat and Close Quarters Battle) we work very hard to be the fastes and the strongest we chose to share it with the world rather then hord it for our selves