Trailblazing MSRON 1B and Djiboutian Servicewomen Conquer Sea Sisters Training Event

The U.S. military actively engages with the Djiboutian Coast Guard through the initiative known as Sea Sisters, which aims to foster collaboration and mutual learning. Chief Gunner’s Mate Lydia Cassard highlighted the significance of this program, emphasizing the collaboration and relationship-building opportunities it offers.

The Sea Sisters program commences with classroom-based knowledge exchanges, advancing into practical water-based training that covers search and rescue, tactical combat casualty care, water survival skills, and weapons familiarization. Launched in 2023, this initiative marks the first maritime personnel recovery exercise conducted by servicewomen from MSRON 11 alongside Djiboutian Coast Guard servicewomen, all with the unified objective of safeguarding the port of Djibouti.

Chief Cassard noted the chance Sea Sisters provides for members of MSRON to share their expertise and experience, fostering reciprocal learning and cultural exchange. The biannual engagement serves as a preparatory step for the Bull Shark exercise, a comprehensive joint personnel recovery drill invloving maritime forces from the United States, Djibouti, Spain, and France.

Collaborative efforts, spearheaded by MSRON units stationed at Camp Lemonnier, involve month-long coordination with Djiboutian navy and coast guard counterparts, focusing on enhancing maritime skills, signaling, advanced navigation, and casualty care. Such shared endeavors are designed to strengthen trust among participating nations.

MSRON 1B, playing a crucial role, conducts a range of combat and support missions. These include littoral combat operations and security on high-value assets, all within the broader context of global force management. At Camp Lemonnier, MSRON 1B ensures 24/7 port security and escorting operations, providing vital protection for CLDJ’s 36 tenant commands and visiting naval vessels, thereby maintaining security across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.