KARANG TEKOH, Indonesia -- More than 160 Marines and sailors from the Landing Force participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia 2010 arrived here May 28 to bilaterally train with the Indonesia Marine Corps (KorMar) May 29 through June.
CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and to enhance force readiness.
Training included an amphibious landing, Military Operations in Urban Terrain, martial arts exchange, jungle warfare, explosive ordnance disposal tactics exchange and combat marksmanship.
Through out the training, Marines from the LF taught and learned from Indonesian Marines.
“It’s pretty cool because I have spent the last five years doing desert ops,” said Cpl. Andrew Frania, assistant patrol leader, 1st Squad, 2nd Platoon, Company A, a native of Osh Kosh, Wis. “I never foresaw doing this at boot camp, we’re seeing different parts of the world and don’t have to pay for it – although I am working my ass off. But it is cool cause we’re doing things civilians wouldn't be able to do – even if they were able to visit.”
There were three sites where the LF conducted training. The first was Banongan Beach, which is where the LF and KorMar bilaterally assaulted the beach. After the assault, they transitioned to MOUT where Marines of the LF taught fundamentals of clearing rooms, clearing stairways and body/person searches.
“I like the things you teach like urban tactics because it’s new to me,” said Sgt. Adip.P, platoon gunny, Buma Company, 3rd KorMar Brigade. “I like it because the Marines can teach me.”
The second site was Karang Tekoh which is where Marines of the LF learned fundamentals of KorMar martial arts. The Indonesian Marines also performed a demonstration for Marines of the LF, which included eating a light bulb, peeling a coconut bare-handed and breathing fire.
“We have to be mindful of their religion and that this is a Muslim culture,” Frania said. “The Marine Corps has kinda gotten away from this (expeditionary operations) since being in the Middle East. This opportunity is pretty sweet – to see different cultures, different people and different ways of life.”
The third site was Selogiri, which is where KorMar Marines taught Marines of the LF which fruits and vegetables are safe to eat in the Indonesian jungle. The KorMar Marines also taught which snakes are poisonous, how to properly skin and eat a snake and fundamental jungle warfare tactics.
The KorMar Marines lead Marines of the LF on a patrol through the jungle where they taught jungle warfare tactics including how to look for booby traps and why noise discipline is important in the jungle.
“I thought it was interesting to see how far and in depth they are in jungle warfare,” said Sgt. Brad Bueno, platoon sergeant, 1st Platoon, Company A, a native of Greenville, Mich. “It is pretty extreme – the things they do and know. After this, my Marines will know what to eat and what not to eat. They will know how to prepare for any jungle they may go to.”
The last day, KorMar Marines and Marines from the LF came together for a celebration, not only for the opportunity to train with a foreign force but the chance to meet someone from a different country.
“I enjoy the USMC, I like that you know discipline, always under rule because in my country we must be friendly and polite,” Adip.P said. “I hope sometime we will come together again.”