The Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit (NEPMU) FIVE hosted 80 nursing and medical students from the Secretara de Marina (SEMAR), July 10.

The students visited NEPMU FIVE as part of a two week long subject matter exchange where they visit Navy Medicine assets in southern California.

"We wanted to come to NEPMU FIVE to learn what preventive medicine techniques we can employ for use on our ships," said Lt. Allen Estrada, SEMAR physician at the School of Medicine. "This training evolution is also an important way to strengthen the already strong relationship between the United States and Mexican Navy."

The students toured the comprehensive industrial hygiene laboratory (CIHL), microbiology laboratory, and were introduced to the Forward Deployable Preventive Medicine Unit's (FDPMU) capabilities.

"It is extremely important that we maintain our great relationship with the Mexican Navy because not only are they our neighbor and close ally but they also play a vital role in the infrastructure of our country," said Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Leonardo Carbonel, Senior Enlisted Leader NEPMU FIVE.

During the two hour evolution students were able to ask questions and interact with industrial hygienists, chemists, environmental health scientists, entomologists, preventive medicine technicians and microbiologists.

The evolution not only provided the students the opportunity to practice their English speaking skills but also provided a unique partnership building platform.

"The best part was getting to interact with the students on a personal level. That is when we really made a connection and were able to build relationships," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Diana Camacho, Preventive Medicine Technician NEPMU FIVE. Camacho is a Spanish speaking preventive medicine technician who helped explain the mission of the command to the students.

"Collaboration with the Mexican Navy is a great opportunity to showcase our capabilities in support of our unit's mission and area of responsibility," said Cmdr. Georges Younes acting Officer in Charge NEPMU FIVE. "These types of collaborations help build a strong relationship with our Mexican Navy counterparts and neighbors, and lay a firm foundation for future interaction between the two services."

NEPMU FIVE has demonstrated a sustained commitment to working with foreign militaries through its support of Pacific Partnership and CARAT exercises as well global health engagements.

"NEPMU FIVE plans to continue to support collaborations such as these in the future whenever the opportunity presents itself," said Younes.

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