SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras –
A U.S. task force from Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, deployed to El Salvador Jan. 12-19 to provide Salvadoran military members familiarization with U.S. equipment, tactics, techniques and procedures prior to their upcoming Operation Iraqi Freedom rotation.
Task Force Iguana, a 14-person team from Joint Task Force - Bravo, provided combat lifesaver training, combat driving techniques, and communications and Global Positioning Satellite equipment operation.
"These soldiers are going to support the Global War on Terrorism," said Maj. Gustavo Perez, Task Force Iguana commander. "This is a task force of [Salvadoran] army, air force, navy and marines, and they are going to integrate with the U.S. task force in Iraq, so it is important for them to already have some sort of exchange with [U.S.] troops and be up-to-speed on equipment they'll have in theater."
According to Tech. Sgt. Herman Ybarra, Task Force Iguana NCOIC of vehicle operations, the group was eager to learn, no matter their experience level.
"There were some soldiers who had been to Iraq, so it was refresher training for them, but for others it was their first time driving the vehicles," he said. "These kids are very energetic, motivated and dedicated. They are professional soldiers."
Major Perez emphasized the Salvadoran troops are professional, highly-trained soldiers ready for the 10th Salvadoran rotation in Iraq.
"They are ready -- we just shared knowledge to help them gain confidence in their abilities. All we did was sharpen their skills," he said