[US] Marines, Sailors conclude training in Cambodia

PEACE KEEPING OPERATION TRAINING BASE, Kingdom of Cambodia-Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit dance to music played during a closing ceremony at the Cambodian Maritime Exercise, March 1. The ceremony concluded the bilateral training exercise involving forces of the Cambodia and the U.S. militaries. The 31st MEU visited and conducted bilateral training as part of the U.S. Pacific Command’s Theater Security Cooperation program with the Kingdom of Cambodia. The program provides a unique and dynamic opportunity for cooperation between the U.S. and Cambodian military, while also promoting relationship-building between militaries and local communities., Lance Cpl. Garry J. Welch,

3/3/2011
By Lance Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 31st MEU
US Marines

Marines, Sailors conclude training in Cambodia — Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit successfully ended training exercises with the Cambodian military during a ceremony held March 1.

The ceremony, run by Cambodian service members, included traditional Cambodian music, food, and a gift for every Marine and Sailor present.

While the time spent in Cambodia training was short, the Marines accomplished their mission of sharing knowledge with Cambodian service members.

“It was fun training with the Cambodian military,” said Lance Cpl. Jeremiah F. Thain, with Company F, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st MEU. “The language barrier was hard, but we were still able to share a lot of valuable skills.”

During the training, the Cambodians were taught about crew-served weapons, small arms, improvised explosive device and mine detection, combat life saving skills, the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and mortar systems.

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