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UNITAS 43-02 Public Information Center
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Camp Lejeune, 25 July, 2002 (3)
HISPANIC AMERICAN MARINE RESERVES
DEPART FOR LATIN AMERICA CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Marine
Corps Reserves from throughout the United States will depart Naval Base
Norfolk, Virginia Monday, 5 August for the annual UNITAS deployment to
Latin America. For the first time, more than
300 reserves, 25 percent of which are of Hispanic decent, will comprise
Marine Forces UNITAS 43-02. They
are providing operational relief to active duty forces from II Marine
Expeditionary Force. A significant part of the
Reserve Marines are of Hispanic decent and come from the Houston, Austin
and San Antonio, Texas areas. Of
unique interest to the Hispanic media of Texas is the 1st
Platoon of Marine Forces UNITAS, which is 82 percent Hispanic. Latin for “Unity”, the purpose of UNITAS is to conduct
multi-lateral naval and amphibious operations including traditional at-sea
exercises and inport activities with participating naval forces to
increase interoperability and foster mutual understanding and friendship.
Now more than ever, UNITAS plays a role in
maintaining stability, coalition and cooperation in the Americas. This
year, Marine Forces UNITAS will be deployed to Latin America from August
until December and will visit and train with the militaries of Colombia,
Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. A media availability day will be held on 1 August and media
are invited to interview Marines and Sailors as they prepare to depart for
Latin America. For
more information about this media availability and other media
opportunities during this deployment, contact 1st Lt. Marisol Cantu at:
(910) 451-7426 or (910) 526-9705 or e-mail Capt. Winston Jiménez at: Jimenezwg@portland.usmc.mil -30-
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