Guatemalan Sailors, Marines Host Water Survival Skills Exchange

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian S. Finney, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs

PUERTO BARRIOS, Guatemala (NNS) -- USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) Sailors and Security Cooperation Task Force (SCTF) Marines wrapped up water survival and search and rescue (SAR) information exchanges with Guatemalan service members at Santo Tomas Naval Base, Feb. 18.

The SMEE exercises lasted four days and included U.S. Marines, Guatemalan marines and special forces soldiers, also known as Kaibil.

"We're all participating in the same events at the same time, which creates the atmosphere for us to bond with one another," said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Wesley A. Eastman, SCTF, Logistics Combat Element (LCE) company commander.

The two forces shared survival techniques such as treading water, breathing control and inflating uniform items as emergency floatation devices. All these techniques, if executed properly, can prevent loss of life.

"It's very rewarding to have the opportunity to conduct combat water survival exchanges with the Kaibil and Guatemalan marines," said Sgt. Maj. Brett C. Sheuer, SCTF sergeant major and Marine combat instructor trainer of water survival (MCITWS). "This is one of those special SMEEs that can actually save lives when dealing with our combat operations and amphibious roots in any aquatic environment."

The exchange was very interactive for both sides involved, and included a wide range of knowledge, from those with years of water survival expertise, to those with as little as 45 days of military experience.

"I thought it was really useful to learn these techniques," said Soldier 2nd Class Cesar Chun Pop, a Guatemalan marine SMEE participant. "I can use these skills not only in the military, but outside the military. If my boat flips over in the ocean I can use these techniques to help me."

The U.S. Navy, alongside host country sailors, each displayed search and rescue (SAR) techniques for more than 15 SAR qualified service members. According to Gunston Hall SAR swimmer, Quartermaster 2nd Class Stephen D. Macdonald, he saw the exercise as being quite beneficial.

"It helps strengthen our bond as far as working in cohesion," said Macdonald. "They can see how we do our business, and we can learn some things from them as well."

The swimmers demonstrated various strokes and basic techniques that are used when rescuing someone in the water. By the end of the SMEE, both sides had clearly progressed and enhanced the foundation for future training within their own services.

"It went really well," said Macdonald. "It was great having one-on-one interaction and helping to enhance what they already knew, and us learning things that we see them do."

Rescue swimmers must have the skills to provide basic pre-hospital life support for rescued individuals. The SMEE concluded with a lesson on CPR, and a relay race that incorporated all the techniques that were taught.

"We all learned a great deal from one another and not only the knowledge that we shared, but the lifelong friendships that were made," added Scheuer. "We definitely strengthened our ties with the Kaibil and Guatemalan Marines for many years to come.

Gunston Hall is currently deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility supporting Amphibious Southern Partnership Station 2011 (A-SPS11), and Guatemala is one of four scheduled stops for Gunston Hall during A-SPS11, including visits to Belize, Colombia and Jamaica.

A-SPS 11 will focus on sharing mission-focused knowledge and expertise so each participating country will be able to improve capabilities in what it considers key mission areas, and result in enhanced regional maritime capabilities and security.

Subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE) within the mission are meant to strengthen our existing regional partnerships through the exchange of maritime mission-focused knowledge and improve capabilities in what A-SPS considers key maritime security mission areas.

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