Marine Corps News> Marine Forces UNITAS Departs for Latin American Deployment


			Reserve Lance Cpl. Robert Young, an infantryman with 3rd Plt., MARFOR Unitas, departs the USS Portland (LSD-37) to board a Colombian landing craft unit, Aug. 28. The LCU transported the Beaumont, Texas resident to the Colombian Marine Corps' Counter-Guerilla School at Covenas, Colombia. From Aug. 26-30, Unitas Marines rotated in and out of Covenas to learn the art of jungle warfare. The training was part of the amphibious phase of Unitas 43-02, an annual multi-national exercise aimed at promoting democracy and stability in Latin America. USMC photo by Staff Sgt. Sam Kille.


			Reserve Marines take it to the net during a volleyball game between MARFOR Unitas Marines and Colombian Marines at the conclusion of jungle warfare training in Covenas, Colombia, Aug. 30. In addition to volleyball, the two nations played soccer and held a picnic to blow off steam and learn about each other's cultures, after an intensive week of training.


			Reserve Lance Cpl. Jeremy Lucia, from Danville, Va., eludes his opponents during a friendly soccer match between MARFOR Unitas Marines and Colombian Marines at the conclusion of jungle warfare training in Covenas, Colombia, Aug. 30. In addition to soccer, the two nations played volleyball and held a picnic to blow off steam and learn about each other's cultures, after an intensive week of training.