DVIDS - News - Suriname and US military build bonds through training exchange

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PARAMARIBO, Suriname - Located on the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America, Suriname’s security forces are charged with defending its borders and more than 240 miles of coastline. Bordered by French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the West and Brazil to the south, Suriname is a nation full of nature reserves and diversity.

However, like most nations in the region, Suriname is at risk of transnational threats such as organized crime and illicit trafficking.

In order to expand their capability to face these challenges, Suriname military officials welcomed a group of American special operations Soldiers during a four-week Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) in the month of August.

Nearly 50 members of the Surinamese security forces from Suriname’s Army Special Forces and Surinamese military and law enforcement antiterrorism units work with members assigned to the 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

The JCET focused on the development of small unit leaders and noncommissioned officers. U.S. and Surinamese forces exchanged training techniques and knowledge of small arms training, small unit tactics, riverine operations and operational planning. JCETs are part of Special Operations Command South’s Theater Security Cooperation program with nations across the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.

“We’ve made a lot of progress together in a month. If we ever have to operate together in the future, we know we’ve made partners and friends we can depend upon,” said a senior noncommissioned officer assigned to 20th SFG.

Working in coordination with various agencies including the U.S. State Department and partner nation ministries, JCETs provide a platform that enables partner nations to better protect their borders and increase their capacity to conduct special operations.

JCETs also allow U.S. military personnel to improve their teaching skills and gain regional knowledge, and serve as a great opportunity to learn from their Suriname counterparts.

“These JCET exercises provide an excellent opportunity for American Soldiers to visit Suriname and learn new skill sets such as jungle survival and riverine operations from their Surinamese counterparts. The JCET also enables cooperation with Suriname’s military and police by strengthening the professional skills of Surinamese participants,” said the Honorable Jay N. Anania, U.S. ambassador to Suriname.

Following the monthlong training, a final event was conducted by the combined forces to showcase the tactical training they had learned from each other. This event was attended by senior U.S. and Suriname officials including the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy to Suriname, Valerie Belon and Col. Adolf Jardim, the deputy chief of defense for Suriname.

The culmination event concluded with a ceremony that recognized the successful participation of the Surinamese personnel.

U.S. and Suriname senior officials understand the significance of these events, and the ongoing partnership between the two allies.

“This JCET exercise play an important role in the improvement of military readiness and exchange of experiences,” said Suriname Army Lt. Col. Johnny Antonius, head of defense strategic planning and education of the Ministry of Defense of Suriname. “This training event was an excellent opportunity for both U.S. and Suriname Special Forces to train, operate, and learn together."

Date Taken: 09.19.2014 Date Posted: 09.19.2014 17:18 Story ID: 142781 Location: PARAMARIBO, SR

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