TUMACO, Colombia -- Marines from 4th Force Reconnaissance Company, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, participated in a two-week mobile training team deployment to exchange skills with new Colombian Reconnaissance Marines at Tumaco, Colombia, May 29 – June 12, 2016.
The training is part of a multi-year U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South engagement strategy that includes efforts to combat narcotics trafficking, organized crime and other armed groups in the region. The U.S. and Colombia share common security interests and concerns, and the reconnaissance training team, and the reconnaissance training team serves to increase interoperability between the two countries.
In addition to proving their ability as reconnaissance Marines, the Reserve Marines augmented and supported their active duty counterparts with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, who served as part of the first mobile training team to the region. This effort is part of a unit initiative within 4th Force Reconnaissance Co. to supplement active duty units and their tasked missions.
Working as a mobile training team, the Reserve Marines trained with their Colombian counterparts to ensure the continued development of critical reconnaissance skills. Training in Colombia also provided the Colombian Marines with new tactics for their current operations.
“It’s a pleasure to have a hand in building the doctrine of their reconnaissance,” said Gunnery Sgt. Randy Wilson, a platoon sergeant with 4th Force Reconnaissance Co. “It really has been more of an exchange of best practices since the Colombian Marines have decades more experience in jungle operations than we have.”
Augmenting the active component to fill a needed role in an ongoing mission with a partner nation is one of the ways Marine Forces Reserve remains ready to respond to any contingency the nation might face.