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Senegalese Fusilier de Marine Commandos during plot a route during land navigation training, near St. Louis, Senegal, in early June 2015. A team of approximately 10 U.S. Marines, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen and Senegalese Compagnie Fusilier de Marine Commandos are working together as part of a Maritime Security Force Assistance training program to improve the light infantry and small boat operations skills.

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Sustaining partnerships; U.S. Marines train Senegalese to fight

5 Jul 2015 | Cpl. Lucas Hopkins The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

A team of approximately 10 U.S. Marines, Sailors and Coastguardsmen assigned to Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa began training with the Companie Fusilier de Marine Commandos near St. Louis, Senegal, June 1.

Throughout the nearly six-week training evolution, the Marines will teach the Senegalese small-unit infantry tactics and small-boat operations.

“The Companie Fusilier de Marine Commandos are a Marine Corps equivalent and fall under the Senegalese Navy,” said Marine Capt. Joseph Burger, the team’s officer-in-charge. “The operations conducted by the COFUMACO are characterized by land and water based patrols, making proficiency in light infantry and small boat operation skills crucial.”

While the two groups share much in common, their unique histories and experiences have molded them into distinct fighting forces, with lessons to share from both sides.

“The Senegalese utilize a French system for military operations,” said Burger. “In general, the ways we both operate are similar, but there are differences. We have dealt with this issue by explaining that this is how we do business, but there are many different ways to achieve the same effect.”

The training so far has focused on combat marksmanship, land navigation skills and operational planning. As the training continues, the U.S. service members will steadily build upon the foundational infantry and small-boat skills, helping the Companie Fusilier de Marine Commandos to bring all of the training together in a final culminating exercise.

“The end state and ultimate goal of the training is the conduct of a small boat raid utilizing classes and practical application over Marine Corps methods and procedures,” said Burger.