Forces assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (USNAVSO/4THFLT), Marine Corps Force South (MARFORSOUTH), and II Marine Expeditionary Force conducted exercise Caraibes 2022, from June 7 to 17.
Caraibes 2022 was a combined and joint training exercise in the Caribbean Sea, in which naval, air and land assets participated. This multinational exercise, led by the French Armed Forces of the Antilles (FAA), promoted cooperation between regional forces and their collective ability to successfully provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) in response to a disaster natural.
Coinciding with the start of the hurricane season (June to November), the exercise began with a scenario that simulated a hurricane that would seriously affect the islands of the region. Participating countries, including Canada, France and the Netherlands, along with observers from Brazil, Barbados, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago, convened a working group to plan and carry out relief operations. humanitarian and disaster response. Military forces first coordinated planning efforts in port, and then went out to sea and held a series of events, to practice and demonstrate the interoperability and combined capabilities of forces working together.
“The valuable training we conduct capitalizes on one of our greatest strengths: military confidence and professionalism in working with partners around the world,” said Rear Adm. Doug Sasse, deputy commander in reserve, US Naval Forces Southern Command. “Our collective capabilities are stronger than those of any individual organization, and together we will continue to build a more resilient team of partners capable of meeting the shared challenges in this part of the world.”
The exercise took place on the French Caribbean islands of Martinique, Guadeloupe, Marie-Galante and Saint-Martin, with a total of 11 surface units, 10 air assets and more than 2,500 people.
Amphibious landings were conducted to transport U.S. and French Marines for field exercises, as well as to demonstrate the ability to move personnel, equipment, and vehicles to remote areas, otherwise inaccessible due to possible damage caused by a natural disaster. The military forces also practiced events such as rescue and assistance, firefighting and first aid, maritime interdiction operations, maneuver exercises, and the crossing of aircraft and personnel.
“The opportunity to work in the air, on land and at sea with our French counterparts proved to be invaluable training and an experience my crew will never forget,” said U.S. Navy Commander Brett Seeley, commander of the USS Billings. “We were able to strengthen interoperability and enhance relationships to ensure we are prepared to work together as a team to support our mutual interests in the region.”
Caraibes 2022 aims to develop the interoperability of partners in the Caribbean, to take advantage of their collective efficiency in the rescue of the population, medical evacuations, and the distribution of vital goods such as food, water and medical supplies.
Concluding with a closing ceremony in Martinique, Caraibes 2022 helped ensure that the US Navy and Marine Corps, along with partner nations, are ready and able to respond quickly to a humanitarian crisis.