MORON AIR BASE, Spain -- High above the forest floor, a platoon of infantry moves about the steep faces of the Spanish Pyrenees. Their military discipline contrasts the untamable wilderness like the frigid mountain air defies the expected scorching of June.
The scene is picturesque. The task is daunting. Both were of little matter to the Americans and the Spanish as they joined together to learn, train and build upon their long history of cooperation.
At the Candanchú Mountain Training Camp situated in Spain’s Pyrenees Mountains, U.S. Marines spent time with Spanish soldiers to learn climbing and mountaineering skills during a bilateral training event, June 7-13.
To begin the training, soldiers from the Spanish 64th Mountain Infantry Battalion instructed the Marines from Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response on the use of the safety equipment and basic mountaineering techniques. The Marines and soldiers then used the gear and techniques to conduct several climbing and rappelling exercises.
The Marines then participated in a 24-hour patrolling exercise which culminated in a simulated assault and required them to use their new climbing skills to scale the objective. Though the training was physically demanding, both groups were impressed by their counterparts and expressed their appreciation for the hard work and dedication.
“Working with (the Marines) was great,” said Sgt. Ignacio Gaba, a soldier with the 64th Mountain Infantry Battalion. “The training exercise is very difficult – it is an exercise that is supposed to take two months to train for. The Marines did it in two days. They have the warriors’ heart.”
“Everything from rock climbing to hiking the Pyrenees was a great experience. I have never done anything like this before, and it has definitely been the most fun thing I have done in the Marine Corps,” said Lance Cpl. Nicholas Wilson, a rifleman with SP-MAGTF Crisis Response. “The Spanish were great, very helpful and attentive. I think we all learned from each other. I would definitely look forward to working with them again in the future.”
Bilateral training such as this is key to the Marines’ international mission. By providing an opportunity for militaries from different nations to work together, they are able to learn different tactics, techniques and procedures while also developing the requisite relationships and skills to improve future collaborative efforts. Together, these advancements are aimed at improving regional security through cooperation.