The Peruvian Marine Corps is finalizing details for its imminent international accreditation as a light-level collapsed structure search and rescue unit, as part of its new roles expanded to disaster risk management and humanitarian support. Through the Amphibious Brigade, it will be the first Peruvian Armed Forces organization equipped with the necessary competencies and equipment to perform Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) tasks.
The capability is centered on the Marine Corps Engineering Battalion, whose mission is combat and logistical engineering support, as well as participating in joint military actions and intervening in the National Disaster Risk Management System. All members of this group are professionals, with officers and non-commissioned officers trained under the guidelines of INSARAG (International Search and Rescue Advisory Group), a network of more than 80 countries under the legal umbrella of the United Nations.
The Marine Corps Tactical Vehicle Battalion is also available, which, in this role and with its General Dynamics Land Systems Canada LAV II, is responsible for transporting Marines to affected areas and evacuating victims. This capability is part of the renewed and expanded responsibilities of the military organization, of great importance in a country with high seismic activity like Peru, located within the Pacific Ring of Fire.
The training of Peruvian Marines has been enriched with recent shared experiences with USAR teams from their counterparts in the Mexican Navy and the United States Coast Guard.
The Peruvian Army, through its Multipurpose Disaster Brigade, and the Peruvian Air Force, through its Special Forces Group, are also working towards achieving this accreditation.
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