The sun rises early on the equator as birds chirp and the humidity begins to add weight to the air. Likewise, the Marines of Ground Combat Element, Security Cooperation Task Force, Africa Partnership Station 2011, rise early in preparation for physical training alongside Gabonese and Brazzaville-Congolese service members, just as they have every day since their arrival last week.
Whether running, lunging, pushing up or squatting down, everyone will end up walking away drenched with sweat.
“The (physical training) that the Marines are doing with us is very tough,” said Gabonese Navy Staff Sgt. Pierre Mbolou, who attended Sergeant’s Course at Camp Pendleton, Calif. “I can tell you for sure that I am worn out this morning.”
The platoons of U.S. Marines, Gabonese sailors and Gabonese Marines take turns leading the hour long physical training session that begin the day’s partnered engagements. Already one week into the routine, it’s apparent to many that the evolution of this partnership is eagerly anticipated by everyone involved.
“I have seen a lot of teamwork and motivation out here,” said Staff Sgt. Shaun Grant, a Toledo, Ohio, native and Martial Arts Instructor Trainer for the GCE. “Everyone seems to be really into it, and they all look excited to be here.”
Through grassy fields, in sandy pits and along paved roads, signs of a meaningful partnership are apparent as the militaries continue to enjoy the bilateral exchange of physical training standards.
“It’s fun just to interact with other militaries and trade off ways to PT,” said Lance Cpl. Zach Stevens, a San Francisco native.
The Marines have led conditioning circuits and fast-paced cardio workouts, matched with intensity by Gabonese-led formation runs through the downtown district of Port Gentil. At the end of all the exercises, the service members return to their respective quarters, take a field expedient shower and change into the uniform of the day to carry out the day’s partnered engagements.
“My hope is that the Marines can provide us with additional skills that can help us work to become a better military,” said Mbolou.
Security Cooperation Task Force, Africa Partnership Station 2011 is an APS-11 asset that conducts hands-on, partnered engagement designed to strengthen participating nations’ maritime security capacity through multilateral collaboration and cross-border cooperation. The SCTF, based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.is supported by Marine Corps Forces, Africa as it deploys throughout the Marine Corps’ area of operations in Africa. The task force began its deployment to Ghana in March and is now continuing its follow-on mission at Gabon.