U.S. Marines with SPMAGTF Crisis Response – Africa and Spanish soldiers with Transport Helicopter Battalion 5, prepare to sling two water bladders to the bottom of the Spanish Army CH-47 Chinook, at Colmenar de Viejo, Spain, Nov. 18, 2014. The 4,300 pound water bladders can be used to transport clean water to support troops operating in a location without potable water or when conducting humanitarian assistance missions. The training enhanced mission readiness and help build relationships between the two militaries. Cpl. Jeraco Jenkins Photo
U.S. Marines assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response – Africa trained with Spanish soldiers from Transport Helicopter Battalion 5 in externally sling loading heavy equipment at Spanish Helicopter Base Coronel Mate, Colmenar de Viejo, Spain, Nov. 18-19, 2014.
“The Marines and I had an outstanding time working with the Spanish military,” said Staff Sgt. Nicholas Werner, the staff non-commissioned officer in charge of the landing support detachment. “We look forward to the opportunity of working with them again in the future and further enhancing our relationship with our Spanish partners.”
During the multi-day event, the Marines and Spanish soldiers conducted training in helicopter support teams, sling loading equipment to a Spanish Army CH-47 Chinook. The training event included day and night operations in which they lifted water bladders and vehicles by a single-point sling load, using only one lift cable; dual-point sling load, using two lift cables; and tandem lifts, lifting two water bladders or trucks at the same time.
A U.S. Marine with SPMAGTF Crisis Response – Africa and a Spanish soldier with Transport Helicopter Battalion 5, watch a Spanish Army CH-47 Chinook lift a truck that they had attached its bottom at Colmenar de Viejo, Spain, Nov. 18, 2014. The long distance transportation of vehicles by air can be used when conducting a disaster relief mission where vehicles are needed but key road and bridges are destroyed. The training conducted by the Marines and soldiers enhanced mission readiness and help build relationships between the two militaries. Cpl. Jeraco Jenkins Photo/USMC
The training event allowed the Marines and soldiers to sustain technical skills while enhancing operational capacity between the Spanish Military and U.S. Marines, strengthening their partnership.
SPMAGTF-CR-AF is rapid response force able to conduct a broad range of military operations in U.S. Africa Command’s operational region, including: U.S. Embassy reinforcement, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, rescue of downed pilots, and other missions as directed.
