QUITO, Ecuador- A detachment of soldiers assigned to the 471st Engineer Company, 1st Mission Support Command, U.S. Army Reserve Puerto Rico, trained 30 soldiers from the Ecuadorian Army on humanitarian demining operations, in coordination with the U.S. Army South July 15 to Aug. 3.

The troops assigned to the largest federal US Army Command in the region, whose ability to speak Spanish proved to be crucial during this mission, trained their Ecuadorian counterparts in landmine clearance, mine risk education, and victim assistance. 

“I think we are blessed to be bilingual and have the opportunity of joining the U.S. Army”, said Sgt. Gustavo Burgos, who has served in the U.S. Army Reserve-Puerto Rico for 21 years.

Read more…