MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- Okinawa's 3rd Reconnaissance Bn. from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Japan, traveled to MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Jan. 27 through Feb. 18, for Operation Sand Fisher -- a bilateral joint training exercise in amphibious and ground reconnaissance with the Republic of Singapore Navy Diving Unit members.
While at K-Bay, the Marines and Singaporean Sailors were active in continuous training and knowledge exercises.
The main purpose of the training was to conduct ground reconnaissance and combatant diving operations. Some of the activities they participated in included combat-man tracking, helo casting or helicopter drops, limited-scale raids, combatant diving exercises and tactical swimming exercises.
"The joint training environment gives us the opportunity to learn from each other," said Cpl. Steve A. Bushay, team leader with 3rd Recon Bn.
Bushay also said the Sailors are very well trained. They go through strenuous training that is similar to the Special Forces' Navy SEALS team. It is very beneficial for both groups to have the opportunity to train together and learn from each other, he said.
Members of 3rd Recon go through rigorous training on a routine basis. They deploy to training operations once every couple of months, said Cpl. Mark J. Sorel, assistant team leader with 3rd Recon. The Marines have trained in many different environments in countries such as Australia, Thailand, Guam, the Republic of Korea and the Republic of the Philippines.
"It is kind of hard, not having a stable place to live all the time," said Sorel. "The people I work with make it well worth it though."
The unit consists of nearly 200 Marines, but not all of them go on each deployment.
"The number of Marines that go on each trip depends on the training that will be exercised in that location," said Capt. Bradford R. Carr, commanding officer of Bravo Co., 3rd Recon Bn. "The smaller numbers allow the Marines to interact and learn more from the groups they train with."
"This exercise was very beneficial; we all had a good time and learned a lot from the Singaporean divers," said Sorel. "I am looking forward to the next time we have the opportunity to train with them."