MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, North Carolina — "There is a very good reason why we train here," said Maj. Clemens Buter, the lead planner of the Dutch bi-lateral training with the 32nd Raiding Company. "We have to operate all over the world together, so we need to train together as well. This is to ensure we have similar procedures and we know we can rely on each other when it's really necessary. The best way to be prepared is to train together, and Camp Lejeune provides us that opportunity."
Throughout the month, the Dutch Marines conducted various exercises including live-fire shoot-houses and Fast Raiding Intercepting Special Forces Craft maneuvers, conducted urban climbing exercises, and completed scenarios involving role players and casualties.
Due to limited training facilities at their home base of Aruba, a tiny Dutch Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela, they visit Camp Lejeune to not only utilize the facilities, but to compare and share their own tactics, techniques and procedures.
"When you work with units from different countries, you always learn from each other," said Sgt. Dennis Godderij, the section leader of Recon Sniper Troop, 2nd Marine Combat Group." One unit may have more experience in one area, while another unit has more experience in another area.
The Dutch Marines were granted access to various assets, such as air support from V-22 Ospreys, CH-53 Super Stallions and support from the U.S. Coast Guard during maneuvers on the intercoastal waterway.
"This is a yearly occurrence that a Dutch Marine company comes to Camp Lejeune to conduct training", said Capt. Cory Moyer, the Dutch Liaison Officer with 2nd Recon. "Later in the year, they'll return the favor for us to go down to Aruba to conduct amphibious operations and continue to build on that relationship."
