US Marines Train aboard USNS Sacagawea

A platoon of U.S. Marines with Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, have been preparing for the bilateral training exercise Koa Moana 15.2 in Dili, East Timor, beginning June 22.

The Marines will highlight the exercise by focusing on the fundamentals of squad and platoon-level tasks with the East Timor Defence Force.

Aside from the bilateral training, the Marines are experiencing and adapting to ship life aboard the USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE-2) going to and coming from East Timor. The U.S. Navy Dry Cargo/Ammunition ship is part of an initiative to employ alternative sea-based platforms for embarking Marines in addition to traditional amphibious warfare ships to enhance maritime flexibility.

The platoon of Marines taking part in Koa Moana 15.2 demonstrates and establishes how the ground combat element is equipped and organized to carry out national objectives in cooperation with national and international partners.

The Marines are scheduled to conduct their bilateral exercise in East Timor and engage with the local community in several opportunities during their stay in the country.

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Image: US Navy