USS America holds press conference in Cartagena [Image 3 of 9]

USAFRICOM, AT SEA

07.17.2014

Photo by Cpl. Donald Holbert 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South

Lance Cpl. Santiago Otero, supply administration clerk with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force South, and a native of Miami, Fla., is interviewed by the Colombian media after being honored by GEN Juan Pablo Rodriguez Barragan, Colombian CHoD, during a press conference held aboard the flight deck of the future amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) in Cartagena, Colombia, July 17, 2014. U.S. and Colombian government diplomats, military leaders and media were hosted in Cartagena, which was the first stop made by America on her maiden transit, "America visits the Americas". America is operating in the U.S. Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility around South America. Through partner-nation activities, key leader engagements and security cooperation activities, the visit aims at further strengthening our partnership in the region, increasing interoperability and building mutual trust between the U.S. and Colombia. America is the first ship of its class, replacing the Tarawa-class amphibious assault ships. As the next generation "big-deck" amphibious assault ship, America is optimized for aviation, capable of supporting current and future aircraft such as the MV-22 Osprey and F-35B Joint strike fighter. The ship is scheduled to be ceremoniously commissioned Oct. 11 in San Francisco. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Donald Holbert/ Released)

• Date Taken: 07.17.2014
• Date Posted: 07.24.2014 23:28
• Photo ID: 1463714
• VIRIN: 140717-M-HB658-388
• Resolution: 5184x3456
• Size: 482.75 KB
• Location: USAFRICOM, AT SEA