CAMP THIES, Senegal-- The U.S. Army hosted a dismount patrol training exercise for militaries from various nations as part of the Combined Joint Task Forces Western Accord 14 mission June 17-20.
Exercise Western Accord is a key element in a broader series of military-to-military activities to demonstrate the strong partnership between the U.S., United Nations, Netherlands, France and other regional African partners and participating militaries.
The Ghanaian Army was the first to partake in the dismount training exercise.
"This exercise is great because it is helping us to build relationships with the U.S. Army," said Cpl. Richard Aboah, engineer, Ghanaian Army.
Staff Sgt. Christopher Hines, infantryman, Company. A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, went over the basics of team, squad and platoon level combat formations.
"We're learning new formations like the wedge, which we call the arrowhead in our country, and line formations so we can use them as part of our military combat movements," Aboah explained.
The most difficult part for them was the hand and army signals, Hines said.
"A lot of the movements were the same," Aboah said. "The only major differences were the hand and arm signals."
"They're catching-on pretty fast," Hines said. That's what makes this experience worth it. They're willing to learn and use what we teach them as part of their own tactics."
This exercise is one of many the U.S. military plan on using to help build a strong partnership with other regional West African nations.
"We enjoy working with friendly American Soldiers," Aboah said. "This training is fun and the relationship between us is very nice."
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