Text fwd: International students receive riverine training in U.S.

http://www.pacom.mil/web/site_pages/media/news%20200903/20090312-WHINSEC.shtml
International students receive riverine training in U.S.
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class(AW/SW) RJ Stratchko
Naval Special Warfare Group Four

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. (Mar. 12, 2009) -- Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School (NAVSCIATTS) and the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) conducted a joint Field Training Exercise (FTX) Mar. 6 on Stennis Space Center, Miss.

The training was the first time ever that NAVSCIATTS and WHINSEC worked together in a joint effort, and students represented 24 different partner nations (including several within the U.S. Pacific Command area of responsibility).

"It's a phenomenal opportunity for two organizations that have been doing security cooperation for years to come together in joint efforts enhancing their skills and expertise by bringing a number of countries together to execute training pertinent to the challenges that we all face," said Col. Felix L. Santiago, commandant, WHINSEC. "It's truly remarkable to see that this training is able to make a difference when folks return to their countries and implement the skills in mitigating the threats."

NAVSCIATTS and WHINSEC schoolhouses train international students in maritime and ground based operations respectively. Both have particular strengths in cultural sensitivity and bi-lingual instructor cadre language capabilities enabling students to focus more on training and less on language barriers.

• For more reading