In the dusty, tree-lined grasslands surrounding the lush delta in Toubakouta, Senegal, the training opportunities for U.S. marines and their Senegalese counterparts are vast. In this environment of thick green trees with low hanging branches, burnt, dried grass litter this ground-evidence of a recent brush fire - and offers just a reminder of the intense heat of this savanna territory.

Located in southern Senegal, just about 20 miles north of The Gambia's border, this training ground, Center Training Tactics Zone 3, proved to be the ideal setting for the Security Cooperation Task Force (SCTF) of Africa Partnership Station 2011, and the Senegalese Commandos, who are normally based out of Dakar, about 220 miles north.

The Senegalese have a lot of experience operating in this environment, and the U.S. marines are well trained and experienced in movement to contact. This combination facilitated an opportunity for the two militaries to share information and exchange experiences.

"Today's class is combat forest. [Senegalese] learn how to move a squad to contact inside the forest," said Senegalese marine commando 1st Lieutenant Gallo Diallo, company commander, Company Fusiliers Marine Commando (COFUMACO). "In Dakar, you don't have this environment."

According to Gallo, this environment is perfect for his unit, which is comprised of mostly young soldiers who have just recently completed recruit training.

"These are new soldiers," said Gallo, a graduate of The Basic School, a U.S. Marine Corps officers' course in Quantico, Va. "These young soldiers have been in my unit for about three months. However, I have some NCOs who have experience and they [serve] as the instructors."

According to Gallo, this type of environment is exactly what he needed to train his soldiers; something he can't replicate in Dakar.

"Most of our job is in environments like this," said Gallo. "So we come here and train [soldiers] in this terrain." According to Gallo his unit has engaged in terrain similar to here and Senegalese soldiers are deployed in many peacekeeping operations across Africa providing security assistance. They have to be ready for all types of scenario.

The Senegalese are experts in this type of setting, so the U.S. marines listened and learned from their partners. Along with the newly trained Senegalese commandos, the marines picked up many tips from the class.

U.S. marine Captain Brian D. Vukelic, ground combat element commander, SCTF, stated the marines have learned some survival skills from the Senegalese. "The Senegalese have taught us how to operate in the environment here in Africa: how to survive off the land, what fruits and the different things we can eat off the trees."

The idea behind APS is that the process of exchanging information and sharing tactics, techniques and procedures will build common bonds and understandings of how our militaries operate-which in turn will build lasting partnerships, according to Vukelic.

"We're showing how we do things and they are showing us how they do things," said Vukelic. "Each are taking things they like and adapting it to improve some of their skill sets. It's really focused on that exchange process."

Senegalese marine commando Staff Sergeant Cheikh S. Camara, instructor, COFUMACO, referred to this class as 'combat forest,' a spin-off to jungle warfare. He was the chief instructor of the class and gave instruction on the fundamentals: map planning, preparing equipment, minimizing tracks, communications and weapons handling.

The training scenario was basic; the Senegalese commandos were tasked to move through the bush, along a trail, on the alert for an ambush. When they received contact, they were evaluated on their immediate action techniques.

"Their reaction was a bit slow at first," said U.S. marine Sergeant Austin D. Sabin, amphibious assault vehicle crew chief, SCTF, APS-11. "These guys are still new, they just learned it."

However, according to Sabin, the Senegalese commandos got better each time they ran through the drill.

"I see a lot of improvement," said Sabin. "They're reacting faster, and getting low and taking cover-covering each other."

The drills here are just one aspect of the multilateral exchange between the U.S., Senegalese and Nigerian military that will culminate in a final exercise.

This military exchange was part of APS-11, a U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) maritime security engagement program that is designed to strengthen participating nations' maritime security capacity. Marine Corps Forces, Africa is supporting APS 11 with a security assistance force based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C. The SCTF began its deployment in Ghana in March and is slated to continue its follow-on mission at Gabon in June.