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A Marine with 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, pulls the cord to fire an M777 Howitzer for a fire mission at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 16, 2017. The Marines are participating in Burmese Chase, an annual, multi-lateral training exercise between U.S. armed forces and NATO members.

Photo by Pfc. Taylor Cooper

Brothers in arms: Camp Lejeune hosts allied nations for Burmese Chase

23 May 2017 | Pfc. Taylor Cooper The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

U.S. Marines with 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, as well as the Norwegian Army, British Commandos, and Dutch Marines participated in Burmese Chase at Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 1-24, 2017. 

Burmese Chase is an annual exercise that brings foreign nations together in an effort to increase cohesion and interoperability among the U.S. and its allies.

The services participated in exercises such as helicopter and boat insertion, fast roping, close quarters battle training, and coordinating mortar and artillery fire between the different nations. 

“Training like this creates the opportunity to be flexible,” said Capt. Chad Ernst, a fire power control team leader, with 2nd ANGLICO. “It allows us to teach our constructs to other people and gives us the chance to increase the interoperability between us and our coalition partners.”

Training exercises like Burmese Chase strengthen relationships between the United States and its partner nations, allowing for better communication between the troops as well as fostering further solidarity through future endeavors the allied nations may face.

“The confidence I have for my Marines has definitely increased,” said Ernst. “A lot of the teams out here have never had the chance to work autonomously with foreign nations at this level, and they have been doing a great job.”

By training with our partner nations, Marines are better prepared to work together to fight in future operations.

“I think the Marines have really used this exercise to better themselves professionally,” said Capt. Doug Capra, a team leader with 2nd ANGLICO. “It has really opened their eyes to different methods of confronting problems that may arise in a combat environment, as well as learning from our coalition partners to better the whole group.”


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