Sailors assigned to Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training Command’s (MCAST) Security Force Assistance Detachment began small boat operations training with 11 soldiers and sailors from Sierra Leone’s military, Aug. 16.

The four-man team is facilitating a two-week course designed to provide Sierra Leone’s military with the necessary tools to navigate their country’s small naval boats effectively around the country’s coast.

“Our goal is to give these guys the fundamentals to complete their missions using the same nautical principles that have been proven by the U.S. military and many other nations for years,” said Petty Officer 1st Class (EXW) Edwin Mantilla, lead instructor of the Sierra Leone MCAST unit.

The course consists of boat crew responsibility training, boat handling, survival techniques, operational risk management and a variety of related topics.

“Most of us have very little knowledge of boat operations, so we hope to learn as much as we can from our American friends,” said Sierra Leone military Sub Lieutenant Albert Kenneh. “We have encountered several problems during operations, and this will help us handle them better.”

MCAST provides help to foster and sustain cooperative relationships across the world while allowing Sailors to engage and interact with the locals of the countries they train.

“Missions like these are basically a win-win for both countries involved. We get a chance to help train a country’s navy and strengthen partnerships, and in exchange we get to travel to wonderful places and learn about various cultures,” said Lieutenant James Brown, MCAST team leader for the Sierra Leone mission.

MCAST provides personnel, trains, equips and deploys U.S. Navy sailors to establish and enhance relations between foreign military forces, foreign governmental and non-governmental organizations, and the civilian populace.