A few of the Russian marines got shore duty like they never expected. The day before COOP 95, the combined U.S. and Russian forces rehearsed landing their amphibious vehicles on Bellows Beach. Because of uncertain weather, it was decided the troops would camp on shore overnight rather than risk not being able to land the next day. That evening and the next morning, the Russian and U.S. troops on shore had a chance to meet and get to know one another.
In the morning, military Public Affairs personnel brought the media and invited local residents to observe the exercise. Isadora Tai, Waimanalo resident and Aide to Councilmember John Henry Felix, came bearing gifts. She gave the Russian marines hand woven lauhala boxes, pog leis and a lot of memories of Hawaiian generosity to take back. Before the Russian Revolution, Isa's grandfather left Russia--and ended up in Hawai'i.
During the exercise, U.S. and Russian troops worked side by side. A Russian doctor who spoke with us through an interpreter, remarked not at the differences, but how similar the protocols and procedures were. After the exercise the U.S. and Russian troops filed together through the Mess tents. One U.S. helicopter pilot showed me an insignia patch for a Russian unit--he had traded his unit's insignia patch for it.