Before the day’s festivities can begin, the Marines of second platoon, Ground Combat Element, Security Cooperation Task Force, Africa Partnership Station 2011 are all business. Standing at attention alongside Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service operators and Senegalese Marine and Air Commandos, the task force welcomed the arrival of the U.S. Ambassador to Senegal, Marcia S. Bernicat.
Once Bernicat finished her address to the formation, SCTF APS-11 Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Kirk Coker, expressed his gratitude and sense of pride for the interaction that has taken place here these last three weeks, before dismissing the formation to turn to liberty. His speech addressed the versatility of the Marines, Commandos, and Nigerian special forces, as they not only enhanced their skills as war fighters, but also learned the culture of two foreign militaries.
“Marines are not only combat warriors but are also ambassadors to the rest of the world, representing the Marine Corps and America as a whole” said Capt. Brian Vukelic, commanding officer for the Ground Combat Element, SCTF APS-11. “This experience has not only increased the technical and tactical capabilities among our men and theirs, but has also broadened our Marines’ perspective of different militaries and cultures.”
Such perspective was further developed as the day kicked off with a volleyball game near the bivouac site that the Marines have called home for the last few weeks.
“Getting together, talking with our partners, reflecting on the training and building these friendships- that’s what a partnership is all about,” said Vukelic.
Since the Marines’ arrival to Senegal, interaction among the platoons has not just been limited to a tactical setting. Over the course of the exchange, the Marines have played cards, eaten local food, conducted morning physical training and even played soccer among the Senegalese Commandos, competing versus the local villagers who until that point had been winning serially for weeks.
“This has been an awesome experience,” said Lance Cpl. Caleb Dehoog, whose interaction with the Senegalese was so in depth that in the three week span he learned to communicate comfortably in Wolof, the primary language among the Commandos. “They’ve learned a lot from us, and I know I’ve learned a lot from them too.”
“I want to learn as much as I can, while I can during this deployment,” he added.
As the sun moved further and further west, dinner was ready to be served at another one of the many training sites here, just along the Sadoum River. As the Marine formation made its way to the water, the air was distinct with the smell of good food and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.
“I made friends with many of the Marines,” said Senegal Air Force Commando Lamine Diaw. “The U.S. Marines are good men and if I ever get asked to train with them again I will say ‘yes, absolutely.’”
Grilled fish and vegetable kabobs, fresh shaved carrots, steamed rice, grilled chicken and locally baked bread were just a few of the finishing touches on an ideal day, as music played until the sun disappeared into the mangrove just beyond the river.
“We like to work hard and we like to play hard, and we all do it for the selfless service of our country, no matter where we’re from,” said Vukelic.
Africa Partnership Station 2011 is a U.S. Africa Command maritime security engagement program that is designed to strengthen participating nations’ maritime security capacity through multilateral collaboration and cross-border cooperation. Marine Corps Forces, Africa is supporting APS-11 with a Security Cooperation Task Force based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C. The SCTF began its deployment in Ghana in March and is slated to continue its follow-on mission at Gabon in June.