Members of the Kentucky National Guard recently concluded a four-day air assault training exchange with the Ecuadorian 9th Special Forces Brigade as part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program (SPP), August 18-21. The mission served as a testament to the deepening alliance between the U.S. and Ecuadorian militaries.
The training team, comprised of six soldiers and one airman with expertise in aviation, pathfinding, and air assault was sent to the 9th Special Forces Brigade headquarters in Latacunga. This location is a hub for Ecuadorian Special Forces training in pathfinding, mountain warfare, airborne operations, combat diving, and their elite “commando school” course.
“Although the objective of this mission was to be a subject matter expert exchange concerning planning for air assault operations, the primary mission of any SPP exchange is to build a better relationship with our state partners,” said U.S. Army Major Ryan Hubbs, inspector general of the Kentucky National Guard and officer in charge of the exchange. “The exchange went fantastic. So often, we don’t get that chance to conduct joint planning, even with our own sister services. The passion that they had and the level of seriousness with which they executed the planning was also great to see.”
The training began in a classroom setting, where Kentucky’s air assault experts briefed the Ecuadorian cohort on U.S. Army conducts air assault doctrine. This foundational knowledge set the stage for a critical exchange of ideas, where Ecuadorian servicemembers from the Army, Air Force, and Navy explained how their own operations differ due to unique climate, terrain, and equipment.
U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Richardson and Captain Sean Lough, both rotary wing pilots in the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade of the Kentucky Army National Guard, provided insight on flight operations for air assault. They worked to bridge the communication gap between aviators and infantrymen, a crucial element of successful joint operations.
“I find that troops are usually interested to learn why helicopter pilots fly the way we do, and this was true of the soldiers we worked with in Ecuador,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Richardson. “It was heartening to see the Ecuadorian [servicemembers] embrace the challenge of air assault so quickly […]. I learned just as much or more from them as they did from us.”
After the planning phase, the team moved outdoors for a practical exercise. Maj. Hubbs created a scenario where joint groups worked together to plan a complex, effective, and actionable air assault mission. The class also received hands-on training on creating landing zones, maintaining security, and embarking and disembarking from rotary aircraft. The participants, moving with speed and skill, integrated into a cohesive unit.
At the conclusion of the event, Ecuadorian servicemembers received certificates for the training in a ceremony held on post. Ecuadorian Captain Darwin Venegas of the 9th Special Forces Brigade affirmed the value of the exchange.
“The seeds of [the Kentucky National Guard’s] knowledge have certainly been planted in fertile soil,” said Capt. Venegas. “We are the best, and so is the U.S. Military. Together, we’re even better.”
Maj. Hubbs expressed a deep appreciation for his partners’ professionalism. “I am always blown away by the professionalism and technical expertise of the Ecuadorian military. Working with the special forces, we got to see their very best and they did not disappoint,” said Maj. Hubbs. “They are fit, technically and tactically proficient, and work extremely hard to increase their abilities. Anytime they sing the songs of their country or sound off, they do so in a loud and thunderous fashion, showing pride in their unit and in their country. We should strive to emulate this in our own military.”
“Having the United States here gives us strength,” said Ecuadorian Colonel Walter Machado, commander of the 9th Special Forces Brigade. “We’re honored to have hosted [the Kentucky National Guard] and we look forward to the next time we can train together.”
