YAMASA, SIERRA PRIETA.- The President of the Republic, Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona, together with the Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Carlos Luciano Díaz Morfa, ERD., inaugurated the first stage of the Tactical Training Center in Sierra Prieta located in Yamasá, a cutting-edge military facility where the special forces units of the Armed Forces are trained for missions of high degree of complexity and risk.
The new center has a helipad, an obstacle course, multiple rifle and pistol shooting ranges, classrooms for teaching, rest, recreation and training areas for soldiers or those who need to train, a rappelling tower, a clearing room, dining rooms, ceremony booths and meeting rooms.
The event was also attended by the Commanding General of the 1st Mission Support Command, Brigadier General Carlos Gorbea, of the United States Army in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and Lieutenant Colonel Lowell D. Krusinger, U.S. Military Attaché, as well as representatives of the United States Southern Command.
The inauguration of the first phase of the Center marks an important milestone in the Dominican government’s efforts to raise the operational readiness and training standards of members of the Armed Forces, to support civil authorities and ensure a safe environment for all citizens.
This Sierra Prieta Center, in addition to having modern facilities and equipment, has been designed with safety protocols and international certification requirements. It also represents a sporting, recreational and effective option for conditioning physical capacities and high-level entertainment.
Defense Minister Díaz Morfa said that the Sierra Prieta Training Center arose from the need for the military to have a space where special forces units could train simultaneously, without any interference between them, and acquire the capabilities and skills to fulfill their institutional mission.
He also indicated that, upon completion of the construction of the second stage of the project, which is currently more than 80% complete, they will have accommodation of (32) rooms with capacity for more than (300) soldiers, several air-conditioned classrooms to impart theoretical knowledge, a room built and equipped to offer recreation and a swimming pool certified with international standards for the development of resistance and aquatic survival exercises.
“These splendid facilities that we officially inaugurated today reflect the will, commitment and determined vocation of His Excellency Mr. Constitutional President of the Republic Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona, that the defense of the homeland reaches levels of excellence. On this memorable occasion we want to express and demonstrate the deepest gratitude on behalf of all the men and women who make up the glorious Dominican Armed Forces,” highlighted the head of the MIDE.
After the ribbon cutting, the authorities toured the kitchen and dining facilities, and saw a static display where they observed the protective equipment, rifles and pistols acquired for the training of the special forces. They also saw jumps from the rappelling tower and a shooting demonstration at the rifle and pistol ranges.
It is recalled that the land that houses this Sierra Prieta Tactical Training Center was rescued by the current administration, and thanks to this initiative, this space has been transformed into a military camp of great importance, thus contributing to increasing the operational capacity of the Armed Forces.
Since 2023, this space has been used for national and international competitions such as the “Fuerzas Comando 2023” Competition, with the participation of 23 countries in the region. The “Special Forces of the Armed Forces” competition, the Sports Games of the Armed Forces and the PN and events such as the “First Air Rifle and Non-Lethal Weapons Tournament,” “Dominican Airgun Challenge” and the “Dominican Airgun Civic-Military Challenge.”
Officers of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, directors of the Specialized Security Corps and special guests attended the event.
