FORT BENNING, Ga., (July 29, 2015) --
The United States and Chilean armies experienced a joint first July 21.
Col. Pablo Sada, commander of the Chilean Army Airborne and Special Forces School, became the first commander of that school to complete an Airborne jump at Fort Benning. Sada and Maj. Gen. Scott Miller, commander of Fort Benning and the Maneuver Center of Excellence, completed the jump together.
"It was an honor to be invited to jump with him," Sada said. "He's a leader not only for the U.S. Army but for Chile as well."
Sada was here from July 20-24 observing Airborne, Jumpmaster and Pathfinder training. He learned how those courses conduct training and compared Chilean Airborne doctrine with American Airborne doctrine.
Many aspects of the U.S. and Chilean Airborne schools are very similar, which is not surprising because Americans helped Chile set up its Airborne school in 1965, Sada said.
Sada praised the instructors he saw at the Jumpmaster and Pathfinder schools, and said he was very impressed with their level of discipline and dedication.
"The methodology I observed will allow us to improve our courses," he said.
The two nations also share a major anniversary this year - the U.S. is celebrating 75 years of Airborne troops while Chile's Airborne program turned 50.
"It's important for us to maintain relations between the U.S. and Chilean Airborne communities so that we can continue to work together to further peace and democracy in the world," Sada said. "This has been an extraordinary visit, and I'm grateful to the MCOE and Airborne School."
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