17:26, November 27, 2007
The United States’ Marine Corps personnel here on Tuesday started to provide anti-terrorism training for Cambodia’s National Counter Terrorism Task Force (NCTTF).
“The training will enhance NCTTF’s ability to conduct sustained counter terrorism training as well as participate in future U.S. and partner nation’s military exchange programs,” said a press release from the U.S. Embassy.
U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, stationed aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex which arrived in port city Sihanoukville on Monday morning, will train NCTTF members on field medical operation, marksmanship, leadership development and hand-to-hand combat, it added.
“We will exchange ideas of fighting terrorism and develop counter terrorism capabilities for both countries,” said captain Zachary Martin, who taught his first lesson for the Cambodian soldiers on Tuesday afternoon in NCTTF’s camp near the Phnom Penh International Airport.
During its six-day stay in the kingdom, the USS Essex is due to carry out medical, military and civic engineering missions in Kampong Cham, Preah Vihear, Kampong Chhnang, Phnom Penh as well as Sihanoukville.
The 844-foot long, 44,000-ton vessel, originally based in Sasebo, Japan, is capable of transporting, deploying, commanding and supporting all elements of marine landing force of over 2,000 troops during an assault by air and amphibious craft.
Essex has been the second U.S. military ship that visited Cambodia this year. In February, the USS Gary guided missile frigate visited the kingdom and carried out civic mission in several provinces.
Source:Xinhua http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/6310491.html#
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