Military

24th Marine Regiment Conducts Beach Landing in Peru

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070618-08
Release Date: 6/18/2007 3:46:00 PM

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

USS PEARL HARBOR, At Sea (NNS) -- The 24th Marine Regiment, embarked aboard USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), conducted a beach landing exercise June 14 and 15 in Ancon, Peru, during Partnership of the Americas 2007.

The beach landing, supported by Beach Master Unit 1 and Landing Craft Utility 1629 assigned to Assault Craft Unit 1, gave the Marines the opportunity to hone their skills and work with Peruvian Marine forces.

While on shore, U.S. and Peruvian Marines established a Universal Operations Center which gave the command the ability to conduct enhanced voice and data communications, both unclassified and classified. The U.S. and Peruvian Marines participated in small arms firing and conducted troop movements through a variety of terrain.

The purpose of the beach landing was to support theater security cooperation objectives of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) by conducting a variety of events ashore that enhance hemispheric stability, security and regional prosperity.

“The opportunity to train with Marines from another country allows us to experience a mindset and a culture totally unique from ours,” said Marine Lance Cpl. Chris Buckles Haley. “It was a chance of a lifetime and one we will not forget.”

The U.S. Navy’s Partnership of the Americas 2007 deployment is designed to engage participating countries and services in a variety of scenarios at sea and ashore, with the overall goal of improving working relationships and interoperability between countries.

“Partnership of the Americas provides an opportunity for Reserve Marines to deploy in support of the theater commander’s plan to promote stability and friendship in the region,” said Marine Lt. Col. Russ Scott, 24th Marines operations officer.

Also on board Pearl Harbor is Commander Task Group 40.0 Capt. Randy Snyder and his staff. They will begin the at sea phase of UNITAS Pacific on June 18, working with a submarine and ships from Chile, Colombia, Peru and the United States, including the U.S. Coast Guard.

Task Group 40.0 is deployed under the operational control of SOUTHCOM which directs U.S. Naval forces operating in the region and interacts with Caribbean, Central and South American civil forces and navies to shape the maritime environment within SOUTHCOM's area of responsibility.