BASE ALVAREZ DE SOTOMAYOR, Spain -- Marines and sailors with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response conducted fire and maneuver, live-fire bilateral training with Spanish Brigada De La Legion Rey Alfonso XIII at Base Alvarez de Sotomayor, Almeria, Spain, Dec. 2-5, 2013.
This exercise allowed the Marines an opportunity to refresh their skills on long range precision weapons and machine guns while continuing to build rapport with a foreign military partner by exchanging tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP).
“The Marines gained more respect for the foreign military and their capabilities,” said Capt. Thomas J. Byrne, a platoon commander with ground combat element, SP-MAGTF Crisis Response, and a Yorktown, Va., native.
This was the second bilateral training exercise between these two units.
“As we got into the training a second time they were really able to begin doing things together,” said Byrne. “The TTPs were already established so we were really able to get into the training.”
The four-day exercise began with 25 Marines inserting via MV-22B Ospreys then linking up with 25 Spanish soldiers at Base Alvarez.
The bilateral exercise included: machine gun and sniper firing ranges at known and unknown distances, and live-fire maneuver ranges. The Marines also conducted unilateral close quarters training in the mobile operations in urban terrain (MOUT) facility.
Each drill allowed the Marines and Spanish soldiers to build trust as they prepared for a fire and maneuver, live-fire assault in the culminating event. The final drills consisted of the two forces combining to engage targets while safely and effectively moving and firing live rounds.
“The last four drills were the best. I was able to see the Marines and the Spanish military all online, working together and moving together to assault an objective,” said Byrne.
When the Marines and Spanish soldiers parted ways at the close of the exercise, they vowed to maintain the bond established during the exercise. The Spanish unit’s lead sniper maintained contact with the Marines as they continued to share ideas to refine their shooting skills.
“It was definitely valuable sustainment training… We really enjoyed it and want to train together again,” said Byrne.