The United States and Colombian armies are constantly looking for ways to further strengthen the rich partnership they already share. The most recent example is the engagement of an infantry company with US troops from the US 82nd Airborne Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team from the Colombian Army as well as the US 1st Brigade Assistance to Security Forces during a recent rotation of the Joint Readiness Training Center. (JRTC) in Fort Polk, Louisiana.
“The significance of this JRTC rotation with the Colombian military is twofold: it helps the Colombian military understand a new operational environment, including how to respond to large-scale combat operations, and strengthens the United States military’s readiness to ,” They said. Major Joseph Macchiarella, US Army South Overseas Area Officer in Colombia. “The 3rd Brigade, along with the first SFAB, was able to train on its important task of integrating allied and partner nation forces into operations, as well as identifying gaps in capabilities that would need to be addressed. in future”.
When asked about the importance of the military partnership between the US and Colombian forces, Colonel Richard Taylor, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division’s Third Brigade Combat Team, explained how friendship and strategic partnership are the foundation of any great organization.
“We know that the United States military does not work alone; Every opportunity to serve with our partner forces is an opportunity to strengthen ties and establish trust,” he said. “Both qualities are critical to interoperability and ultimately allow us to jump in, fight and win in the toughest day of ground combat.”
Colonel Taylor also praised the professionalism displayed throughout the rotation: “The soldiers and leaders of the Colombian Army are disciplined, lethal and highly capable. Our paratroopers gained knowledge by serving with them during the rotation.”
Although there are many challenges whenever two nations’ militaries work together, consistent and realistic training creates an understanding that may ease those concerns if this partnership is put to the test in actual operations.
“With many challenges still to be overcome to achieve interoperability, the combat training center is the perfect setting to identify rotation gaps and find immediate solutions.” Macchiarella at the end of the rotation. “Many lessons were learned by all participants and now the challenge is how to improve before the next big event.”
The military partnership between the US and Colombia is longstanding, and in recent years the two countries have begun working together towards a more optimistic common goal.
Major General Alvaro Vicente Perez Durán, deputy commander of the Colombian Army, addresses a group of Colombian and American soldiers after they have completed live-fire training during their rotation at JRTC in Fort Polk, La. On May 5, 2023. (Photo: US Army 1st Cl. Sgt. Allen Brutus)
“From 2021 onwards, the process of preparation and training of an army unit with the aim of operating up to a battalion level is underway in the United States and Colombia,” Major General Álvaro Vicente Pérez, deputy commander, explained. Colombian army. “We started working together at the platoon level in 2021 and during this JRTC rotation we trained together at the company level.”
Training at the company level, as opposed to the individual platoon or squad level, provides a greater understanding of one’s capabilities and tactics during large scale combat operations type environments.
“The most important thing about such training, after talking with our soldiers, is the opportunity to interact, train and understand the capabilities of other armies like the United States and to see operations from another perspective,” Maj. he said. General Perez.
In addition to this US-organized JRTC training rotation, Colombia hosted US troops from the Illinois and Georgia Army National Guards, most recently during Exercise South Vanguard 23, a two-week training exercise at Tolemeda Military Base in Colombia. Included. The exercise included a roundtable on the Women, Peace and Security Initiative, in which senior commanders from both the armies shared experiences and views on promoting the role of women in security efforts in their respective countries.
