Service members with the Senegalese Special Forces partnered with U.S. Marines from the Marine Advisor Team in February, 2009, to practice military techniques and exchange information. The event was part of Africa Partnership Station Nashville, an initiative geared to promote maritime safety and security measures among African nations.

This is the second year for APS, and both the Senegalese and U.S. forces intend to continue this partnership in the hopes of building a continuous learning environment and to foster international relations.

"It was a good experience for us, for my soldiers," said Major Souleymane Kande, coordinator, Senegalese Special Forces. "They took this opportunity to improve their experience by practicing the knowledge that they had before this exercise."

The Marines built on lessons learned from previous engagements. Seminars encompassed non-lethal tactics, combat lifesavers skills, patrolling, intelligence, marksmanship, and military and Marine Corps martial arts.

The courses were greatly appreciated by the Senegalese soldiers.

"They can't eliminate one course because they all are important," said Seaman Jean Diassy, Senegalese Special Forces. "One class will complete the other. So if you don't use it for today, maybe tomorrow you need it for another mission, so all the classes are good."

The marksmanship course, in particular, made an immediate impression on the soldiers, providing them with a hands-on opportunity to practice proper form and target shooting. Practical application is a main component of most of the seminars, which allows students to practice and hone techniques and tactics under the guidance of trainers.

Many of these soldiers have already seen combat in the southern region of their country, in the Congo or the Ivory Coast, according to Lieutenant Dame Ka, platoon leader, Senegalese Special Forces.

Wars have evolved from fighting on a battlefield to fighting insurgents in urban terrain. This ability to effectively fight in this new environment is one that was voiced during the exchange.

"Nowadays we are involved in urban combat," said Sergeant Abdoulaye Ndiaye, Senegalese Special Forces. "Nowadays all the combat is happening in big cities, so we need to build ourselves to succeed in missions in the cities."

At the conclusion of the seminars, both forces walked away with new friends, memories and a cultural understanding.

"This evolution has reached a very positive point," said Lieutenant Colonel Cheikh A. Thioune, military region commander. "If you have seen the reaction of the Senegalese soldier towards their American peers, they have a kind of cohesion that has formed from the relationship they have developed among them."

The culmination for both sides came February 9 during the graduation ceremony. Approximately 150 soldiers received certificates of completion, and the U.S. Marines received monogrammed t-shirts as tokens of appreciation.

"We like to continue dealing with American forces because you are loved everywhere," said Thioune. "You work well and we would like to continue cooperating with you."