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24th Marine Regiment Kicks Off Team Work South

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070601-19
Release Date: 6/1/2007 6:03:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Lenny M. Francioni, USS Pearl Harbor Public Affairs

CIFUNCHO, Chile (NNS) -- The 24th Marine Regiment, embarked with Partnership of the Americas (POA) Task Group 40.0, began exercises with Chilean Marine Corps units during Team Work South by conducting a beach landing at Cifuncho on May 29.

The beach landing was conducted with Assault Craft Unit 1, which is comprised of Landing Craft Utility 1629 and Beach Master Unit (BMU) 1. The landing will give the Marines the opportunity to hone their skills and work with partner nations on the beach before moving inland to continue the exercise.

“We work with so many people on so many different levels it just brings pure joy to do our job of taking the Marines ashore,” said Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Javier Juradis of BMU 1. “This is what we live for and I love my job.”

While on shore, U.S. and Chilean Marines will establish a universal operations center, which gives the command the ability to do unclassified and classified communications. They will also conduct a variety of training events on the firing ranges at the Chilean Marine training area in Cifuncho before motor-marching 750 km north to Iquique to meet up with other Partnership of the Americas units.

“Being able to participate in Teamwork South as a reserve Marine Unit is awesome,” said Marine Gunnery Sgt. Brian Paulsen. “It’s a once in a lifetime deal.”

“Partnership of the Americas provides a chance for Reserve Marines to deploy overseas in support of a combatant commander’s plan to promote stability and friendship in the region.” said Lt. Col. Russ Scott, 24th Marine Regiment Operations Officer. “By using Reserve forces it frees up training time for active forces to better prepare for combat.”

The 24th Marine Regiment, commanded by Col. Brent Dunahoe, is based out of Kansas City, Mo., and is primarily comprised of reservists. The regiment consists of three battalions that have all been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The purpose of the beach landing is to support U.S. Southern Command by conducting a variety of events ashore that enhance hemispheric stability, security and regional prosperity by improving relationships and interoperability with partner nations.