GDF Special Forces conduct joint survival training with US counterparts

Sep 06, 2014 News

GDF’s Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips with the army’s Special Forces and the US Special Forces.

A graduation ceremony was held at Camp Stephenson on Friday, August 29 to celebrate the completion of a month-long training exercise between the Guyana Defence Force 3-1 Special Forces Squadron and members of the United States Special Forces.

According to the US Embassy, the Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) took place in and around Camp Stephenson and included three phases.

The first, taught by the U.S. Special Forces soldiers, consisted of short and long range marksmanship, swimming, and classroom training.

“The classroom training covered tactical combat casualty care, radio operability, patrolling techniques, and leadership skills. Thirty-four Guyanese soldiers rapidly advanced through phase one, which culminated with a Combat Water Survival Test.”

Phase two built on the skills learned in phase one, but was taught at a faster pace.

“Phase three culminated with a 72-hour rigorous exercise with individual and team eventsthat tested the newly acquired skills set by the Guyanese soldiers. The soldiers practiced their marksmanship, radio procedures, combat life-saving medical skills, and swimming. Additionally, they performed a physical training test, swimming test, and obstacle course.”

According to the US Embassy, after the culmination exercise, the U.S. Special Forces soldiers attended a training course at the Colonel Robert Mitchell Jungle and Amphibious Training School (CRMJATS)).

Under the guidance of the Guyana Defence Force 3-1 Special Forces, the U.S. soldiers received 72 hours of expert instruction and familiarization on a broad range of survival skills.

“Brigadier Mark Phillips, GDF Chief of Staff, was on hand to observe the culmination exercise and presided over the graduation ceremony. Both the U.S. and GDF teams agreed that the event was a resounding success.”

Lieutenant Commander Bob Novotny, the United States’ Senior Defense Official in Guyana, remarked “this was outstanding training and an excellent partner-to-partner exercise for the United States and Guyana Defence Force soldiers. These teams were able to provide each other world class training in their areas of expertise and in doing so created life-long relationships. Our Embassy’s Security Cooperation Office looks forward to bringing more JCETs to Guyana in the years to come.”