A Marine Corps explosive ordnance disposal team completes training for military personnel in Senegal

•  It has provided training in combating the threat of improvised explosive devices to Senegalese Navy personnel

As part of the Cooperative Security Activities (CSA) carried out by Spain in several African countries, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team from the Marine Infantry Brigade has been deployed to Senegal to support the training of the Senegalese Navy in this area of combat.

Since November 22, in the Thiès region, Spanish military personnel have been training their Senegalese counterparts for a period of two weeks. The training program has been structured and geared toward improving the preparedness of Senegalese units against threats posed by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The training, conducted at specific facilities, has combined theoretical and practical activities to ensure adequate training in the neutralization of this type of explosive and other similar threats.

Specifically, the activities carried out during the training period have provided members of the Senegalese Navy with a certain capacity for neutralization in the fight against the IED threat. On this occasion, the military trainees already had basic counter-IED (C-IED) training, which allowed them to make better use of this instruction with a higher level of training, as well as to focus combat training on strengthening their skills and consolidating their knowledge in order to operate more safely.

Cooperative Security Activities

In June 2014, Spain and Senegal agreed to strengthen their bilateral cooperation through joint training activities aimed at increasing or generating military capabilities in the Senegalese Armed Forces for the security of the African country and its population.

To this end, the Army, Air Force, and Navy carry out various military assistance activities involving advice and training with Senegalese units, which are planned and organized in advance according to Senegal's security and defense needs.

The training courses focus, among other aspects, on the fight against terrorism, search and rescue missions, and the reconstruction of infrastructure using military capabilities and resources.

These types of cooperative activities demonstrate Spain's firm commitment to providing stability in the area, which is of vital interest to national security on the African continent.