The Coastline March 13, 2014
Volume 24, Issue 9
http://cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnreurafswa/installations/ns_rota.html
U.S. Naval Activities, Spain
Lisa Azul: Building Partnerships for the Future
Left: Lance Cpl. Raul Lopez, assigned to Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST) Company Europe, instructs Spanish marines during a building clearing exercise as part of exercise Lisa Azul, Monday. Above: U.S. Marines assigned to FAST Company instruct British Royal Marines during a building clearing exercise as part of exercise Lisa Azul, Monday. Lisa Azul is an annual, trilateral training exercise involving U.S. Marines, British Royal Marines and Spanish marines.
Trilateral Exercise Tests Skills, Trains to Work Together for Common Objectives Story and photoS by MCSn Edward GuttiErrEz iii
operational techniques and exercises
NPASE-E
U.S. Marines attached to Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST), Company Europe conducted training on military operations along with their counterparts, the British Royal Marines and Spanish marines, as part of the trilateral exercise Lisa Azul. Lisa Azul is a training exercise that promotes partnership and maritime security while improving cultural understanding and awareness between the United States, Spain and Britain. During the two weeks of training, the allies focused on a wide variety of military
lifesaving skills, fast rope and rappelling drills and urban combat and building clearing procedures, culminating in an exercise requiring all units to work together to secure an urban terrain objective. “It’s certainly been an eye-opening experience,” said Capt. John H. Davis, FAST Company Europe’s Alpha 4 Platoon commander. “What this has allowed junior Marines in my platoon to see, is how other countries execute the same basic training packages using different tactics, techniques and procedures. It’s really been an awesome opportunity across
the board.” Davis also said that being exposed to different techniques and tactics helps his Marines to break out of what he termed a “cookie-cutter approach” to tactical problems by absorbing those techniques into their own methods, thereby augmenting their own skill sets. “Training with these British and Spanish marines has been great,” said Lance Cpl. Nathan Molitor, attached to Fast all kind of stayed in our normal groups, but once we all started talking to each other
we come from different places, but we’re pretty much the same. Our tactics are very similar. We’ve gotten along great.” The two weeks of joint, trilateral training helped Marines from all units and all nationalities sharpen skills and build valuable partnerships for the future. “I wish we could get more of this type of training,” said Molitor. “We get to see their input to see how to change some of our procedures and vice versa, and just see how the world really works when we’re all put together. It doesn’t matter where you come from, Marines can train work together.”
Rota Looking For Nominations for Volunteers of the Year Story and photoS by MCSn Edward GuttiErrEz iii NAVSTA RoTA Public AffAiRS
INSIDE
Commander, U.S. Naval Activities Spain is currently accepting applications from all Naval Station Rota tenant commands for the purpose of selecting a Volunteer of the Year in six different categories. The six categories commands can nominate individuals or groups for are military service member, civilian employee, local national employee, dependent, small
March is American Red Cross Month Page 3
group (two to seven persons) and large group (seven of more persons). Nominations are due no later than April 14. “The chapel assists incoming ships, commands and individuals with community relations events on a daily basis, so when the opportunity arose that we could help personnel receive recognition for their efforts, it was a no brainer,” said Religious Program Specialist 1st Class
the Religious Ministries Department. “We have a committee of members that includes active duty members, civilians, dependents and local nationals that will review and validate the packages. They will then be forwarded be Capt. [Greg] Pekari.” The awards will be presented in order to recognize See "VOLUNTEERS, "page 6
DGF Teacher Delivers Baby at Home Page 6
Carnival Season Pages 14-15