The US traning Hun Xen's troops that never help innocent Cambodians?

Friday, June 22, 2012

More often than not, Hun Xen's troops are brought in to intimidate innocent villagers who are protesting against land-grabbing by high-ranking government officials (Photos: The Phnom Penh Post)

Hun Xen's soldiers used in forced land eviction in Kratie province even sport gears bearing what looks like US flag (Photo: The Phnom Penh Post)

Cambodia, US conduct exercise

6/22/2012
By Lance Cpl. Nicholas S. Ranum
Marine Corps Bases Japan

SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia — Members of the Royal Cambodian Navy and Air Force shared medical techniques with sailors of 3rd Medical Battalion at Ream Naval Base here June 5-6.

The battalion, a part of Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, is in Cambodia for Cambodia Medical Exercise 2012.

The exercise serves to enhance military-to-military relations between the U.S. military, Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Cambodian government medical personnel. It allows both nations to conduct joint medical operations, improve interoperability, and foster good will.

The sailors imparted their specific knowledge regarding types of fractures, splints, intravenous procedures, splinting, casualty carries and other basic medical techniques.

“We are happy the sailors come here to train,” said Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Lt. Cmdr. Ley Sarith, a physician’s assistant on Ream Naval Base. “The sailors helped train newer personnel on new equipment and techniques.”

The battalion brought equipment and supplies such as stretchers, gurneys, defibrillators, bandages and suture materials to aid in the training exercises.

The new techniques and equipment the sailors shared will help with future emergencies faced by Cambodian service members and medical personnel.

“The training will assist (the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces) to recognize key small details during medical situations they encounter, according to Petty Officer 3rd Class Jia Liu, a hospital corpsman with the battalion. “This will keep both the patients and medical personnel safe.”

Even though the two-day evolution was intense, the effort everyone put forth was worth the end result.

“The sense of accomplishment you have when you realize what you are teaching could be put into practice is the best,” said Liu. “If the training can save even one life, it is worth it.”