DVIDS – News – CJTF-RS24 leadership visits, assesses new shooting house at GRUFE

Combined Joint Task Force – Resolute Sentinel 2024 leadership from both the Peruvian and U.S. Armed Forces gathered for a tour of GRUFE (Special Forces Group of the Peruvian Air Force) during exercise RS24 in Lima, Peru, June 3, 2024.

The tour highlighted significant grassroots development aimed at increasing interoperability and mutual readiness.

In the months leading up to RS24, the US funded the construction of a modernized shooting house at GRUFE, expected to be completed this summer. This facility will be essential for conducting combined joint training for Peru and the US in close combat, a critical capability to prepare today’s armed forces for tomorrow’s conflicts.

“Interoperability capabilities are critical because they allow us to share tactics, techniques and procedures, creating frameworks and relationships that are vital during contingency operations,” said Col. Barton Kenerson, CJTF-RS24 commander. “The advancement of GRUFE capabilities and integration is what the right looks like from the U.S. Special Operations Force Center. Their facilities and what they offer have so much more for many countries to train and integrate with the Peruvian SOF forces. The professionalism of the force, the capabilities of what they provide, their ingenuity and their innovation are incredible.”

As part of the tour, officials visited several key facilities, including a climbing tower, firing range, sleeping quarters, a tactical training range and a shooting house. These facilities are an integral part of the extensive training programs designed to enhance the operational capabilities of Peruvian partner forces.

U.S. funding of the shooting house for jobs with local contractors further strengthens the U.S.-Peru economic partnership while highlighting Peru’s defense capabilities, particularly in countering regional threats and expanding their role in multinational operations.

“This is our first shooting house in GRUFE,” said Colonel Fidel Castro of the Peruvian Air Force, CJTF – Deputy Commander of RS24. “We are going to gain a lot with the investment. We want to have the opportunity to get our first training in close combat, and the use of the shooting house will increase our capabilities. Regarding our current scenario, we are still fighting the remains of the Shining Path terrorist organization. This training house will be a very useful tool in developing our close combat capabilities to better counter that threat.”

The visit to GRUFE also provided a platform for both countries to appreciate the geographic and operational challenges unique to Peru, including diverse terrain such as coastlines, mountains and jungles.

“Having the opportunity to work with the most advanced military forces in the world allows us to significantly enhance our capabilities regardless of the geographic landscape,” Castro said.

RS24 is designed to test and hone the Allied forces’ ability to operate seamlessly in these varied environments. Looking ahead, the Peruvian and U.S. armed forces plan to continue their cooperation, with future large-scale global exercises planned for next year and beyond.

“This continued cooperation not only strengthens our bilateral relationship, but also ensures we are prepared to effectively counter common threats,” Kenerson said. “The joint efforts on display here reflect a commitment to regional stability and the strengthening of collective security measures.”