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Spanish Marines Learn Combat Lifesaving Techniques

23 Jun 2011 | Sgt. Amber Blanchard 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit

Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 22, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, taught combat lifesaving skills to Spanish Marines as part of a bilateral training exercise, at the Sierra Del Retin Training Center, Spain, June 23-26, 2011.

The training focused on the most common death-causing injuries in combat and how to treat them quickly and correctly.

“We learned how to treat common death-causing injuries in combat and developed a program where Marines can treat those injuries quickly,” said Chief Petty Officer Jahmi Arnold, independent duty corpsman with CLB 22.  “The Spanish Marines are interested in learning the techniques we use.”

During the course, Spanish Marines learned how to effectively treat the wounded in different scenarios.

“The U.S. Navy has different ways to treat wounds.  When we went to Haiti in 2010, that was the first time I saw the difference between our military and the Americans,” said Pvt. Juan Carlos Montes Cabello, a corpsman with the Spanish Marines.  “They have more resources and are able to get the job done.  Even the basic classes have more details than what we’ve learned.  The training we’re getting here is great.  The fact that we’re getting their experiences is definitely helpful.”

Marines and sailors with the 22nd MEU recently conducted bilateral training with Spanish Marines as part of the Spanish Amphibious Bilateral Exercise, also known as Spanish PHIBLEX 2011. 

The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are currently deployed with Amphibious Squadron 6 aboard the USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group serving as a flexible, formidable and potent force who continues to train and improve their capability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force.

The 22nd MEU is a multi-mission, capable force, commanded by Col. Eric J. Steidl and comprised of an Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced); a Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; a Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; and its Command Element.

Marine Expeditionary Units are the Marine Corps' smallest permanent Marine Air-Ground Task Force, and comprised of approximately 2,200 Marines and sailors ready to provide immediate response to a hostile environment or crisis.