MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif -- Combat Center Marines and Royal Marines with Commando 40 Royal Marines competed in Warrior Day at Del Valle Field Oct. 30, 2013. The competition’s intent was to bring together Marines from different nations who participated in the annual Black Alligator training exercise.
Black Alligator 13 is a combined-arms training exercise conducted by Marines, Royal Marines and Dutch Marines.
"It is great too see these units come together and compete,” said Maj. Gen. David H. Berger, Combat Center commanding general. “We want to build on our great camaraderie, and some competition after a good, hard month of training will help do that.”
The Warrior Day consisted of multiple events where the military organizations faced off.
To start the day, a musical performance was conducted by Joel Daniels, a bagpipe player known as the Marine Sand Piper.
Speeches were given by Berger and Lt. Col. Alex Janzen, commanding officer of 40 Commando Royal Marines. The competitions consisted of soccer, football, rugby and softball.
While these sports took place, other Marines participated in a timed, High Intensity Tactical Training competition.
“It is an awesome feeling when you compete with someone from another country,” said Lance Cpl. Ethan Curnow, ammunition technician, center magazine area. “You can tell how competitive everyone is as soon as you walk out here. I really appreciate them coming out to compete after a long training exercise.”
The Royal Marines won the soccer, rugby, and football portions of the event while the United States Marines won the softball event.
The units are scheduled to return to their countries next month. The Royal Marines will continue training in jungle, mountain and cold-weather warfare.