ROTA, Spain -- As part of the bilateral exercise Lisa Azul, Marines attached to Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST), Company Europe conducted military operations on urban terrain, or MOUT, training with Marines attached to the Spanish Armada Infantería de Marine, Oct. 29.
MOUT training, which focuses on urban combat and building clearing, allows warfighters the chance to improve their tactics, techniques and procedures and to conduct mission rehearsals, using blank rounds, man-marker rounds or short-range training ammunition. The training was conducted at Hogan’s Alley, a staged training site on the naval base.
This year 52 U.S. Marines and 72 Spanish marines participated in the training.
“The Spanish marines are just as knowledgeable as my Marines concerning MOUT training,” said Alpha 2 Commander Capt. Daniel Wendolowski. “We are providing additional training to help fine tune some of their tactics.”
During the exercise, FAST Company Marines conducted building searches in full battle dress, and displayed the proper procedures for entering and clearing buildings when placed in a hostile environment.
“This is the first time that I’ve had the opportunity to participate in a joint exercise like this,” said Spanish Armada Infantería de Marine 2nd Company Commander Capt. Alejandro Santa-Eufemia. “This is one of the best experiences that I’ve had. This exchange of knowledge has been very beneficially for me and my marines.”
“ Exercises such as Lisa Azul promote the participating countries' maritime strategies,” said Wendolowski. "We want to ensure we are providing exceptional training to our counterparts."
Santa-Eufemia said this training will better prepare the Spanish marines for their future deployment to various combat areas of responsibility.
“We will definitely take what we learned and use it then we deploy,” said Santa-Eufemia. “I hope to take this knowledge and experience to other marines battalions throughout Spain and show them that our relationship with the U.S. is stronger than ever.”