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Senegalese soldiers completed a month-long training exercise with U.S. Marines, March 18, at a military training facility in Thies, Senegal. U.S. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, trained their counterparts with Senegal’s Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando, or COFUMACO, in infantry tactics, making this the 10th training engagement the forces. In an effort to combat illicit trafficking in the region, the Marines were in Senegal at the request of the host nation government in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Dakar. The Marines trained with the COFUMACO in Toubacouta in the southern part of the country for two weeks before moving up to Thies. - Senegalese soldiers completed a month-long training exercise with U.S. Marines, March 18, at a military training facility in Thies, Senegal. U.S. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, trained their counterparts with Senegal’s Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando, or COFUMACO, in infantry tactics, making this the 10th training engagement the forces. In an effort to combat illicit trafficking in the region, the Marines were in Senegal at the request of the host nation government in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Dakar. The Marines trained with the COFUMACO in Toubacouta in the southern part of the country for two weeks before moving up to Thies.

Second Lt. Aaron Burtner, security cooperation team leader, poses for a photo with Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commandos after completing their final exercise with U.S. service members in Dakar, Senegal, September 17, 2015. The Marines and Coast Guardsmen with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa spent four weeks training the COFUMACO on basic infantry tactics and small-boat operations as a part of a Maritime Security Force Assistance mission to increase interoperability with Senegal’s and strengthen the bond between the partner nations. - Second Lt. Aaron Burtner, security cooperation team leader, poses for a photo with Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commandos after completing their final exercise with U.S. service members in Dakar, Senegal, September 17, 2015. The Marines and Coast Guardsmen with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa spent four weeks training the COFUMACO on basic infantry tactics and small-boat operations as a part of a Maritime Security Force Assistance mission to increase interoperability with Senegal’s and strengthen the bond between the partner nations.

Lance Cpl. Trent Meade, a rifleman with Security Cooperation Team-4, Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, instructs a Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando on supporting his buddy during an immediate action practical application exercise led by Marines in Toubacouta, Senegal, Sept. 1, 2015. Marines, sailors and Coast Guardsmen with SCT-4 are in Senegal training with the COFUMACO on infantry tactics and small-boat operations to continue building a strong relationship between the partner nations and improve the interoperability of the Senegalese military. - Lance Cpl. Trent Meade, a rifleman with Security Cooperation Team-4, Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, instructs a Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando on supporting his buddy during an immediate action practical application exercise led by Marines in Toubacouta, Senegal, Sept. 1, 2015. Marines, sailors and Coast Guardsmen with SCT-4 are in Senegal training with the COFUMACO on infantry tactics and small-boat operations to continue building a strong relationship between the partner nations and improve the interoperability of the Senegalese military.

A Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando demonstrates his swimming technique during a swim assessment by personnel with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, during a swim assessment in Dakar, Senegal, Aug. 28, 2015. The assessment was conducted to ensure the COFUMACO are capable and confident in the water before they conduct small-boat operations training together in the following weeks. - A Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando demonstrates his swimming technique during a swim assessment by personnel with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, during a swim assessment in Dakar, Senegal, Aug. 28, 2015. The assessment was conducted to ensure the COFUMACO are capable and confident in the water before they conduct small-boat operations training together in the following weeks.

U.S. Marines assigned to Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa and Seneglaese Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commandos execute a “line of stern” patrolling formation during small-boat operations training in St. Louis, Senegal, July 3, 2015. Approximately 20 Marines, sailors and coast guardsmen with the unit spent the week teaching more than 30 members of the Fusilier Marins small-boat operations and maintenance skills. - U.S. Marines assigned to Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa and Seneglaese Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commandos execute a “line of stern” patrolling formation during small-boat operations training in St. Louis, Senegal, July 3, 2015. Approximately 20 Marines, sailors and coast guardsmen with the unit spent the week teaching more than 30 members of the Fusilier Marins small-boat operations and maintenance skills.

Marine Cpl. Trevor Thompson, right, an infantryman with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, observes as a member of the Seneglaese Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commandos moves towards a simulated casualty during a basic skills competition in St. Louis, Senegal, July 2, 2015. More than 15 U.S. Marines and Sailors with the unit held a weapons and combat medical skills competition for more than 30 members of the Fusilier Marins in an effort to build and sustain infantry fundamentals. - Marine Cpl. Trevor Thompson, right, an infantryman with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, observes as a member of the Seneglaese Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commandos moves towards a simulated casualty during a basic skills competition in St. Louis, Senegal, July 2, 2015. More than 15 U.S. Marines and Sailors with the unit held a weapons and combat medical skills competition for more than 30 members of the Fusilier Marins in an effort to build and sustain infantry fundamentals.