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Photo Information

Sgt. Andrew Niccum, an infantryman and coxswain with Company B, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 7th Marines , 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, teaches Republic of the Philippines Marines hand and arm signals during coxswain training Oct. 12. The training was in support of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2011. PHIBLEX ’11 is a bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability between the two nations.

Photo by Cpl. Michael A. Bianco

Philippine Marines learn boat skills from Baker

12 Oct 2010 | Cpl. Michael A. Bianco

Republic of the Philippines Marines received a class from U.S. Marines with Company B, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, on procedures for operating a Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Craft during a boat raid.

According to the commanding officer of the Philippine Marine Corps’ boat company, the use of CRRCs is a fairly new for their Corps and they are still developing their own tactics and techniques.

Certified coxswains from Company B taught the class, which included the use of hand and arm signals to communicate as well as boat formations used during transit and beach assaults.

 “The class was an excellent way to teach our counterparts and build camaraderie,” said Sgt. Andrew Niccum, an infantryman and coxswain with Company B. “It also served as a refresher for our guys who have limited experience with the CRRCs” He added.

Once the classes were given, Marines took to the water to practice what they had learned. The Marines from both nations were integrated throughout the boats to enhance the bi-lateral training. In some boats, Philippine Marines were the coxswain, or driver, and a U.S. Marine was the assistant coxswain, and in others, the roles were reversed.

 The boat raid is one of several bilateral training evolutions being conducted in support of PHIBLEX ’11. The exercise is designed to increase interoperability between the two nations and continue to strengthen the professional relationship that has been built throughout the years.


31st Marine Expeditionary Unit