Task force provides training to El Salvadorian military

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shaun Emery
  • JTF-Bravo Public Affairs
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AFPN) --  Joint Task Force-Bravo, a 26-member task force, traveled to San Salvador, El Salvador, July 16 to train soldiers deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

During the week-long training mission, El Salvadorian soldiers were instructed on driver, convoy and perimeter security; communications; improvised explosive devices; civilian and military cooperation; and combat life-saver training. By the end of the training, both the members of JTF-Bravo and the El Salvadorian military learned a lot from each other.

"They are an extremely professional force," said Lt. Col. Greg Jicha, the task force commander and commander of Army forces at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras. "They go into each day of training with ambition and the desire to learn. They understand the seriousness of the situation they'll face in Iraq."

El Salvador is the only country in Central America that provides personnel to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Col. Jose Atilio Benitez Parada, the commandant of Battalion Cuscatlan, said his country knows the pains of terrorism. During the 12-year civil war in El Salvador, the colonel said he was witness to many instances. He said he is proud to support U.S., one of El Salvador's brother countries.

While in Iraq, El Salvadorian soldiers will use American military equipment, so it is important they receive the training prior to deploying.

Drivers had never operated a Humvee, medics had not seen some of the life saving tools the U.S. military uses and radio operators were seeing equipment for the first time.

"The language barrier was the only tough part for me," said Staff Sgt. David Saucer, a driver trainer. "But as far as their interest in learning about and operating the vehicle, we couldn't have asked for more."

Army Staff Sgt. Brian Grishaw, Army Master Sgt. Elva Marquez and Sergeant Saucer instructed on preventive maintenance and vehicle layout before drivers took to the road.
Medical personnel were busy learning the techniques that could save their fellow soldiers. From patient assessment to administering intravenous needles, students ran the full gamut of combat life-saver training. According to their medical instructors, the only thing more impressive than the skills they demonstrated was their eagerness to learn more.

"They came to training every day ready to take the next step," said Army Capt. Marta Artiga, head medical instructor. "They grasped everything we taught them and were able to put it into practice. "

At another site, a group of soldiers huddled around, waiting to get a chance to operate radios. One by one, they would get the chance to plug in frequencies and learn radio operations. Like their fellow soldiers, the radio students were an eager group.

"They asked really good questions," said Tech. Sgt. Jeffery Scott, a communications instructor. "They wanted to know what kind of situations they would face in Iraq, and how to deal with them. They are a motivated group."

To finish the training, the soldiers were put to the test with a culmination exercise where they put their new skills to use in a simulated convoy attack. Soldiers learning about convoy security, perimeter security and IED's were able to show their stuff during the culmination exercise.

The exercise kicked off with the convoy getting hit with a simulated IED. From there, the convoy security troops neutralized the enemy. At the same time, medical personnel treated wounded soldiers in the back of a five-ton truck. When the area was secure, the drivers quickly delivered the wounded to a triage center where the medical students carefully offloaded them.

At the triage station, medical students evaluated each patient, provided the necessary treatment and prepared them for evacuation.

With all the action happening around them, radio operators relayed coordinates to a simulated helicopter to provide the medical evacuation.

"The exercise was outstanding," Colonel Jicha said. "They were able to incorporate all the new skills sets we taught throughout the week. I couldn't be more pleased."

"I am very proud of these guys," said Army Staff Sgt. Edgardo Alvarez, who coordinated the best final exercise to accommodate everyone's training needs. "They worked hard and did their best. There are things they can work on because they can always get better, but overall they did a great job."

While members of JTF-Bravo provided the training, they learned that the El Salvadorian soldiers are professional, eager to learn and ready for the task set for them.

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