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Serving the U.S. Southern Command military family in South Florida,the Caribbean, Central and South America and the surrounding seas

Volume 1 Issue 7 April 21 - May 5, 2011

Colombian, US Marines host

AOR senior enlisted conferenceStaff Sgt. David Hercher

MARFORSOUTH Public Affairs

BOGOTA, Colombia SeniorEnlisted Leaders representingChile, Colombia, DominicanRepublic, Ecuador, El Salvador,Guatemala, Honduras, Panama,Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay,made history April 4th 7thas they met for the rst timeever to take part in the SeniorEnlisted Marine Leaders of theAmericas Conference (SEM-LAC), at the Crculo de Subo-ciales military base here. TheSEMLAC is designed to be aconference for the senior enlist-ed leaders of every partner na-tions Marine Corps and NavalInfantry in North, South andCentral America.

The event was co-hosted bythe Marine Corps of Colombia

and the U.S., under the leader-ship of the Colombian MarineCorps in the rst of what isplanned to be a bi-annual eventconducted at various locationsin Latin America. The purpose

of this years SEMLAC was to

provide Senior Enlisted Lead-ers with a forum to discussTheater Security Cooperationand training to the challengestheir forces are combating andto discuss ways to improve NCO

professionalism.Additionally, an orientation

tour was held to make the SELsaware of opportunities at the Co-lombian Marine Corps Regional

Training Center in Coveas.

By conducting the SEM-

LAC we build strong relation-ships as partners workingtogether with common goals

of theater security. An edu

cated subocial (non-commis

sioned ofcer), with aware-

ness and adequate training is asubocial that can produce

results for their commandersthrough empowerment with

trust and condence in their

Colombian Marines perform a drill demonstration for Sergeants Major visiting

the Colombian Marine Corps Regional Training Center in Covenas, Colombia.

Staff Sgt. David Herche

see MARINES, page 4

A Trinidad & Tobago Fire Department Search andRescue team member gives the thumbs up aftesuccessfully rescuing a victim from a disaster simulation during Fuerzas Aliadas Humanitarias 2011

NOSOTROS staff report

SOUTHCOMs Quality of Life commit-tee met Thursday, April 14 to discuss solu-

tions to issues brought up by employees.

The group, led by SOUTHCOM com-

mandant, Col. Clarence Hilton and Garri-

son manager, Audie Snodgrass, had repre-

sentatives from throughout the campus.

Sgt. Maj. Louis Espinal began the meet-

ing by recapping priorities and encourag-

ing employees to not hesitate to bring up

issues.

Everything brought up here will go

straight to the boss (Gen. Fraser). What-

ever we can do to make life better here, we

will, he said.Among the issues discussed were: park-

ing lot revamp, parking space size and the

height of the speedbumps in the lot, handi-

capped access to the employee turnstiles,

vending machine prices, after hours access

to the tness center and soliciting sugges-

tions for an annual social event.

To make suggestions to the committee,

please email Col. Hilton at clarence.hil-

ton@hq.southcom.mil, or Mr. Snodgrass

at audy.snodgrass@hq.southcom.mil.

DoD phot

Quality of life committee seeks solutions

COMMANDERS

CALL

MONDAYAPRIL 258:30 A.M.

and

ENLISTED CALL

7:30 A.M.at the

SOUTHCOM

F I T N E S SC E N T E RSUBMITYOURQUESTIONS

INADVANCETO:

Jordan.mcduff@hq.southcom.mil

COMMANDERS

CALL

MONDAYAPRIL 258:30 A.M.

and

ENLISTED CALL

7:30 A.M.at the

SOUTHCOMF I T N E S SC E N T E R

SUBMITYOURQUESTIONSINADVANCETO:

Jordan.mcduff@hq.southcom.mil

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2 Nosotros We Nou NS NOUS Volume 1 Issue 7 April 21, 2011 U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Army Garrison - Miam

SOUTHCOM CommanderGen. Douglas Fraser, USAF

Director, Public AffairsCol. Scott Malcom, USA

Chief, Internal InformationRaymond Sarracino

EditorArthur McQueen

NOSOTROS Ofce Address:

9301 NW 33rd St.Room A1423Doral, FL 33172

Phone: (305) 437-2685Web: http://www.southcom.mil

NOSOTROS is an authorized internal bi-weekly publication intended for: uniformed mem-bers of the Department of Defense, US Governmentcivilians, contractors and liaisons working for U.S.Southern Command or in its Area of Responsibilityand their dependents.The contents of NOSOTROS, including listings

of public events or services, are not necessarily theofcial views of, or constitute an endorsement bythe U.S. Army Garrison-Miami, Installation Manage-ment Command, U.S. Southern Command, DoD orthe U.S. Government.The content of this publication is solely the

responsibility of the SOUTHCOM and USAG-MiamiPublic Affairs Ofces.

L/Dsl NOSOTROS? Want to share Ideas? Feedback? Do your colleagues deserve notice? Let us know!Contact Public Affairs at 305.437.1213, or visit us on: Facebook:soutconosotros; Twitter:SCNosotros or E-mail:soutconosotros@

l.co. Submissions to NOSOTROS should be received by the Friday preceeding the publication date.

nGET OUT OF DEBT ANDRAISE YOUR CREDIT SCORE 100POINTS IN 45 DAYS, Tuesday,April 26, 1 - 2:30 p.m., USAG-Miami, Installation Services Center,9301 NW 33rd Street, FamilySupport Center, Suite E2005. Formore information contact, Rich

Zimmelman, ext. 2645, Richard.Zimmelman@hq.southcom.mil.

nFlorida Grand Opera presentsDON GIOVANNI -SAT. APR. 30, 8 p.m.Considered by many to be themost perfect opera ever written,Mozarts Don Giovanni continuesto thrill audiences today as itdid at its premiere in 1787!Adrienne Arsht Center,right tier 3 seats, $40.

nSPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAV-OR LAUNCH - FRI., APRIL 29Departure time from HQ:

5:30 a.m.Departure from KSC: TBD.Adults: $55, Children: $50.Prices include transportation,entrance, parking, tolls andview of the launch from theKennedy Space Center.Deadline to sign up: April25. Call the ITR Ofce,305.437.1595/2400.

nDAYS OF REMEM-BRANCEOBSERVANCE -THURS., MAY 510:30 - 11:30 a.m.

CCA Main Confer-ence RoomGuest Speaker:DavidSchaect-

er, Holocaust survivorDays of Remembrance is thenations annual commemorationof the Holocaust. This eventuallyresulted in the creation of the U.S.Holocaust Memorial Museum asa permanent living memorial tothe victims. This years Holocaust

remembrance week is May 18.

nMILITARY SPOUSEAPPRECIATION LUNCHEON -SATURDAY, MAY 14Register for the Spouse Appre-ciation Luncheon, Saturday, May14. Join us for lunch, gifts, mini-

massages and a delightful timeoverlooking the Intracoastal andMiami Beach skyline. For moreinformation contact MacarenaSchmidt at 305-437-2400,macarena.schmidt@hq.southcom.mil.

nKEYS 100 MARATHONSATURDAY, MAY 14The event is a 6-personrelay race covering 100miles from Key Largo to KeyWest. There are at leastthree teams from SOUTH-COM participating.For SOUTHCOM info.contact, Col. Drew, Cmdr.John Townsend or Maj.Lloyd Hager are some ofthe team captains. Formore information visitwww.keys100.com.

TiCkeTS OffeReD byThe iNfORmaTiON,TiCkeTS aND

RegiSTRaTiON(iTR) OffiCe,

305-437-1595 OR 305-437-2400nZOO MIAMI (formerlyMiami Metro Zoo) tickets nowavailable. Adult: $14, Child: $10.Save up to 18% per person.

nWALT DISNEY WORLDRESORT Now through Sep 28active and retired U.S. militarypersonnel (including currentand retired members of theUnited States Coast Guard,National Guard and Reserves)or their spouses can purchase:

- Disney 4-Day MilitaryPromotional Tickets with ParkHopper Option for $135 each;Park Hopper and Water Parks Funand More Options are $162 each

- Disney Military PromotionalTickets (including any options)expire and may not be usedafter Oct 1. Disney 4-DayMilitary Promotional Tickets forthe Walt Disney World Resortmay not be used on the followingdates: April 17-23 and July 4.

SPORTS & fiTNeSS

nWe now have our ownMASSAGE THERAPIST!

60 minute session - $70,30 minute session - $35.To schedule your appointmentcall Russell Protzman 305-951-1286 or 305-887-1719.

nTRX SUSPENSION TRAINING-Starts April 11, Mon & Wed, 6p.m. $3 per class. Build functionalstrength, balance and core stabilityall at once with this unique trainingsystem. Please register with JillHauser, Jill.Hauser@hq.southcom.mil. Classes will be given bycertied TRX trainer Idalia Lopez.

nOPEN PLAY VOLLEYBALLTuesdays and Thursdays, 12-1 p.m

nFUNCTIONAL FITNESS6-7 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.and 3-7 p.m., Mon.-Fri. For

more information, call thetness center at 0123/0124.

nJoin the FAMILY ANDMWR INDOOR WALKINGGROUP. Meets Mon., Wed.and Fri., at 11:30 a.m. on theindoor track. To join, contactAngie Williams, ext. 0123.

nMERCEDES-BENZ 2011CORPORATE RUN Apr 28,Bayfront Park. Family and MWRSports and Fitness will entera SOUTHCOM team. www.Mercedesbenzcorporaterun.

com. Contact Jill Hauser, .

nCOMING SOON -Zumba, Yoga, Spinning,Kick boxing and Tai-chi!

Events

MAY IS MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH Please read NOSOTROS and check the SOUTHCOM portal regularly for event announcements.

nDECA TENT SALE - The semi-annual commissary tentsale is slated for April 27-30 at the old headquartersparking lot. Hours are: Wed. 1 - 6 p.m. (SOUTHCOMonly); Thurs. - Fri., 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

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3Nosotros We Nou NS NOUS Volume 1 Issue 7 April 21, 2011 U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Army Garrison - Miami

The focus of this article is the TrainingAssistance Field Team in Colombia. Itsmission, cooperation, security, dynamics, and

coordination. Additionally, it provides an ex-ceptionally insightful journey highlighting thecomplexities of working in a partner nation.

By Army Maj. Luis Fontnez and Army

Lt. Col. Felix Gonzales

U.S. Military Group, Colombia

Although challenges such as differences

in organization and culture throughout

many countries and agencies may pose

limitations, the TAFT organization is dedi-

cated to one main common ground: the ob-

jective of the mission.Its vital to examine the complexities of

working in a joint environment and fac-

ing challenges and threats together, while

putting aside individual differences. In es-

sence, looking at the big picture to facilitate

solutions as a team.

Its essential we comprehend our organiza-

tion before diving into what have we done

here and what are we continuing to do.

The TAFT falls under the operational

control of the U.S. Army Security Assis-

tance and Training Management Organiza-

tion out of Fort Bragg, N.C., but operatesunder the oversight of the U.S. Military

Group in Colombia under the command of

U.S. Southern Command.

Currently, the TAFT is comprised of seven

U.S. Army soldiers and 45 contractors work-

ing with Colombian military forces. While

the military members work specically with

their Colombian counterparts, the contrac-

tors mostly focus on aviation maintenance

operations, training, and mentorship.

Operating out of two bases: the Colom-

bian Army base at Tolemaida, and their Air

Force base CACOM-4. Both bases are lo-

cated in Melgar, just south Bogot.

Since 2001, the TAFT has trained 332 pi-

lots and graduated more than 248 helicopter

training students. Its mission is part of the

Plan Colombia initiative. Additionally,

the TAFT works jointly with the Colom-

bian Air Force and Army to operate an in-

ternational ight school in Melgar for other

Latin American nations militaries.

The TAFT provides trained aviators who

facilitate the overall helicopter efforts associ-

ated with Plan Colombia. Once qualied to

y, these pilots receive Aircraft Qualication

Courses in helicopters being made available

to the Colombian Army for counter narco-

terrorism missions, air support, eradication,

and search & rescue.

All training and maintenance supports the

Colombian Army and Air Force primary

mission of interdiction and eradication.

Although the TAFT has its mission, its

goals are to deal with just about everything

that has the word aviation in front of it.

It focuses in aviation training,

operations, maintenance, and

logistics to include advise andassist the Colombian military

in the development of a capa-

bility to support forces in the

ght against narco-terrorist

forces; assist and provide men-

torship over helicopter mainte-

nance and training programs.

Just as things appeared to

be coming to a close, a new

requirement appeared: The

Mexican military forces had a

need for 250 helicopter pilots

over the next ve years to meettheir counternarcotics objec-

tives.

These requirements were

reviewed and resulted in the

Deputy Assistant Secretary of

Defense for Counter Narcotics

and Global Threats requesting

SOUTHCOM and NORTH-

COM to work together to ful-

ll this requirement.

In 2009, Colombia invited Mexico to

send students to the school, resulting in the

transformation from a Colombian militaryaviation school into the Regional Helicopter

Training Center, capable of meeting not just

Colombias long term pilot training require-

ments, but simultaneously training up to an

additional 24 international pilots a year.

Through partnering efforts, the TAFT co-

ordinated with senior Colombian military

ofcials and U.S. agencies for the standard-

ization of a new ight platform, the OH-

58A helicopter, its care and maintenance

requirements and delivery of the new air

craft into Colombia.

While developing a transition program fo

the new aircraft, the TAFT responded to the

Train the Trainer program requirements

of 24 Colombian military students and 24

international military students per year.

Once the new aircraft began to arrive, two

standardization pilots had prociency rides

by the arriving pilots from Department o

Evaluation and Standardization that came in

on the rst deployment of OH-58s.

Those two pilots are taking the approved

OH-58 Program of Instruction

and are training Colombian

military instructors on how totrain student pilots.

Additionally, the expansion

of the school required bigge

classrooms, a bigger dining fa

cility, more living areas, more

helicopter parking pads, and a

new training eld in Flandes.

Financial assistance was pro

vided by the U.S. to help with

the new requirements with the

TAFT providing the supervi

sion and monitoring of all proj

ects. New barracks, a scho

building, a renovated di

ing facility, and an expected

completion of construction o

eight helipads at beginning

of April. The construction o

a new training ight staging

eld is in the planning pro

cess.

The challenges and oppor

tunities facing the TAFT on a daily basis is

similar to any environment working with

joint and interagency operations. Its crucial to foresee challenges and reach mutua

understanding and unity of effort to ensure

integration and synchronization, leading to

mission accomplishment.

To enjoy continued success, TAFT wil

continue to leverage partnerships while devel

oping and investing in relationships with par

ticipating countries and U.S. agencies. Ou

mission is extremely important in bridging

the resource gap and bringing stability.

TAFT operations in Colombia provideunique challenge for U.S. military team

T TafT tsrol ncluds:

n Providing qualitycontrol during theinitial training ofstudent pilots

n Providing qualitycontrol during pro-gression training toselected pilots andinstructors into ad-vanced airframes.

n Providing instru-

ment, combat andnight vision goggletraining militarystudents and in-structor pilots.

n Providing con-tinuous monitoringand improvementof training.

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4 Nosotros We Nou NS NOUS Volume 1 Issue 7 April 21, 2011 U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Army Garrison - Miam

Special to NOSOTROS

COMALAPA, El Salvador

-- As a tenant of El Salvadors

Comalapa airport, U.S. South-

ern Commands Cooperative

Security Location-Comalapa

expects to be providing morethan 30 percent of their energy

needs from solar power by ear-

ly May.

The approximately $628,000

project has been in the works

for several years and will result

in substantial savings in both

electricity costs and environ-

mental impact to the area.

For more than two years,

SOUTHCOM engineers

have worked closely with

their Salvadorean partners to

implement this program in

accordance with Defense De-

partment guidelines.

SOUTHCOM engineer repre-

sentative Richard Dominguez

was the lead on the project,

and found himself frequently

juggling his schedule to ac-

commodate his duties in the

construction of SOUTHCOMs

new facility, and traveling to El

Salvador to supervise the solar

installation.

While I was doing the new

SOUTHCOM HQ project dur

ing the week, I was ying dur

ing the weekend to El Salvador

for project planning and coor

dination. Dominguez said.

The equipment was manufac

tured in California by Kyocera

and shipped to El Salvador forinstallation.

After the equipment arrived

in El Salvador, it was installed

by a local company, Tecn

Solar, who employed approxi

mately 20 people during the

project.

The 13.6 megawatts of en

ergy produced by the 474 solar

panels of this project is roughly

equivalent to about the energy

used by 20 1,800 square-foo

homes.

abilities, said Sgt. Maj. Wil-liam F. Fitzgerald, Sgt. Maj.,

U.S. Marine Corps Forces,

South. Additionally, as weconduct Partner nation engage-ments and duplicate our effortsas we have with the Colombi-ans at the Regional TrainingCenter at Coveas, our Partner Nations now have the ability

to partner with each other andtrain through our SMEE (Sub-

ject Matter Expert Exchanges)

and MTTs (Mobile TrainingTeams). This venue is a keyelement for Security Coopera-tion and the SELs engaged withtheir commanders to take ad-

vantage of the training providedby Colombia.

During the SEMLAC, eachof the Marine leaders from the12 countries attending gave a presentation on the capabili-ties and challenges of each oftheir Marine Corps. In addi-tion to the Sgt. Maj. of MAR-FORSOUTH, U.S. participantsincluded the senior enlisted

leaders of Western HemisphereInstitute for Security Coopera-tion, U.S. Naval Small Craft In-struction and Technical Train-ing School, Inter-AmericanAir Forces Academy, the U.S.Marine Corps Training andEducation Command, and Ad-

vanced Infantry Training Bat-talion School of Infantry. Each

presented a command brief anddiscussed venues for support ofthe area of focus and our con-tinued commitment to partner-

ship and security cooperation.

As senior enlisted leaders,we are the vital link betweenthe commander and each mem-

ber of the command, said Sgt.

Maj. Carlton Kent, Sgt. Maj.

of the Marine Corps, in a let-ter addressing the Sergeants

Major. We must reinforce the

signicance of the senior en-listed leaders, and emphasizethe importance of our roles as

leaders.

The conference began with anopening ceremony attended byVicealmirante Hugo Garcia deVivero, Commander of the Co-

lombian Navy, Maj. Gen. John

M. Croley, Commander, U.S.Marine Corps Forces, South

and Brigadier General Gomez,Commandant of the Colom-

bian Marine Corps. Vicealm-irante Garcia gave the openingremarks followed by Maj. Gen.

Croley, who emphasized theimportance and historical sig-

nicance of this event.

As the senior enlisted leaders you make sure that the com-

manders intent is understoodand carried out by the com-

mand. You must be a critica

thinker and assist in the equa

tion of problem solving youare an invaluable member of thecommand team, said Croley.

You are the bedrock of the

command, steady in the timesof uncertainty and doubt, calm

under re and always ready to

go into the attack. The com

mander relies on you for yoursage advice and the staff looksto your knowledge in shaping

successful courses of action.

He said.

Together the region faces aserious threat issues that areresponsible for illicit trafcking

of drugs, human beings, moneyand weapons affect all of us as

partner nations. By buildin

special trust and condence

with our commanders, we be-come critical in helping to solvethe problem and accomplish the

mission, said Fitzgerald. The

purpose of why we are herconducting this conference isto strengthen our institution by

building trust and condenc

with our commanders. We are

brothers in arms this is chance for us to better each o

our nations.

MARINES, from page 1

SOUTHCOM heavy lifterMaj. Rob Schultz, from SOUTH-

COMs, Commanders Action Group,

competed in the All Forces National

Military Bodybuilding Champion-ships on Oct. 9 in Tampa. This was

his rst bodybuilding competition

and resulted in a second place

nish in the 35 Years and Older

class, Mens Masters Division and

third place in the Light-Heavy-

weight class, Mens Open Division.

He is currently training to compete

in the Florida State Bodybuilding

Championship June 18th in Orlando

and the Miami Bodybuilding Cham-

pionship July 2nd.Courtesy photo

El Salvador site to use solar energy to support mission

Solar panels are installed and almost ready to provide 30-percent of the elec -tricity needs of Cooperative Security Location-Comalapa, El Salvador.

SOUTHCOM photo