New Hampshire Army Guard, Salvadoran army train together on water rescues

By Sgt. Charles JohnstonJune 20, 2018

NHARNG teamed with Salvadoran soldiers and firefighters for swift-water training
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. 1st. Class Carolina D. Compton (left) and 1st. Lt. Katrina F. Simpson (far right), New Hampshire Army National Guard, instruct Gerber Alexander Mendez Ramirez, an El Salvadoran humanitarian response soldier, on knot tying while Col. Domingo Mont... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
NHARNG teamed with Salvadoran soldiers and firefighters for swift-water training
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
NHARNG teamed with Salvadoran soldiers and firefighters for swift-water training
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – El Salvadoran humanitarian response soldiers take turns hurling a rope rescue bag, a tool used in swift water rescue operations, under the close tutelage of Maj. Brian Fernandes (far right), deputy commander, 12th Civil Support Team, New Hampshire Ar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
NHARNG teamed with Salvadoran soldiers and firefighters for swift-water training
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SAN JUAN OPICO, El Salvador -- New Hampshire Army National Guardsmen teamed with Salvadoran soldiers and firefighters to conduct swift water rescue training in the swollen, muddied currents of the Rio Lempa about an hour northwest of the capital San Salvador from June 5-7.

The training featured an exchange of best practices and ways to enhance reaction times, as well as an opportunity to foster further cooperation between the Salvadoran military and firefighters, said New Hampshire Army National Guard Maj. Brian Fernandes.

"We're here to exchange ideas that can hopefully save lives," he said.

His group of five Soldiers included some with mountaineering expertise. 1st Lt. Katrina Simpson, an Infantry officer with Mountain Company and a graduate of the Army Mountain Warfare School, instructed the Salvadorans on basic knots used to lash ropes together and anchor them securely to span hazard areas during rescues. The variety of knots used included the bowline, square, butterfly, double figure eight and clove hitch.

"This is all brand new to them," said Simpson, who helped pace the learning. "Yesterday was the crawl. Now we're running."

As the learning progressed, it fostered an atypical partnership for the Salvadorans. "It's rare for the military and firefighters to train together," Fernandes said. "It was an added bonus. The interoperability between fire, military and between the two countries is equally important."

Training participants overcame the language barrier thanks to the efforts of several interpreters, including Sgt. 1st Class Carolina Compton, a New Hampshire Army National Guard recruiting NCO and fluent Spanish speaker.

"It's something I've been wanting to do for a long time," Compton said. "It was amazing."

The exercise culminated with simulated rescues performed in the Lempa, darkened by the region's rainy season.

Soldiers and firefighters took turns rescuing and being rescued. Rescuers hurled ropes from the high, steep riverbanks to swimmers as the current began to sweep them downstream. Laughter and celebratory cheers met each successful throw.

"To be able to enjoy the work you're doing, it's a plus," said 2nd Lt. Johnny Sibrian of the Salvadoran army. "I had fun."

The exchange is one of many coordinated through the New Hampshire National Guard-El Salvador State Partnership Program, which links a state's National Guard with the armed forces of a partner country in a cooperative, mutually beneficial relationship.

At the end of the training, Col. Domingo Monterrosa, commandant of the host Salvadoran Armed Forces Operations Center, addressed the participants during a small ceremony and presented each New Hampshire Soldier with a certificate of appreciation.

"Thank you for sharing your expertise with us," Monterrosa said. "You're not strangers. You should feel at home when you're here. We are sister armies and friends."

Related Links:

National Guard website

National Guard State Partnership Program

Army.mil: National Guard News

National Guard Facebook