2nd MAW Commanding General visits USS IWO JIMA, Guatemala

Photo By Sgt. Samuel Beyers | U.S. Marine Maj. Gen. Jon M. Davis, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general, gives his remarks on deployment operations to Marines and sailors of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Continuing Promise 2010, while visiting aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima, Sept. 7, 2010. Davis and other leaders visited service members and civilians in Guatemala who are currently deployed in support of CP10, conducting humanitarian assistance and subject-matter expert exchanges.  

PUERTO BARRIOS, GUATEMALA

09.07.2010

Courtesy Story

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South

PUERTO BARRIOS, Guatemala - Marines aboard the USS Iwo Jima with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Continuing Promise 2010 were visited by distinguished leaders while conducting civil-military operations, Sept. 6-7.

2nd Marine Air Wing Commanding General Maj. Gen. Jon M. Davis along with II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) Deputy Commanding General Brig. Gen. Christopher S. Owens and 2nd Marine Air Wing Sgt. Maj. Susan M. Bellis visited the USS Iwo Jima and Marines conducting subject-matter expert exchanges in support of Operation Continuing Promise 2010.

The Marines were accompanied by Todd L. Schafer, director of resources and assessments for U.S. Southern Command, the Command’s senior civilian leader.

While aboard, the leaders met with Lt. Col. Chris S. Richie, commanding officer of Special-Purpose MAGTF CP10, and discussed the Marines’ accomplishments in Haiti, Colombia and Costa Rica. During their visit, they spoke with Marines about their experiences on the humanitarian civic assistance mission. Davis presented a 2nd MAW coin to five Marines who distinguished themselves throughout the deployment for their hard work and professionalism.

The Special-Purpose MAGTF held an all hands formation in the hangar bay where Davis addressed the Marines.

Even in a humanitarian mission like this, the Marines of Special-Purpose MAGTF CP10 are warriors. They are representing the Marine Corps and showing South America what Marines are capable of, said Maj. Gen. Davis, commanding general, 2nd MAW.

The leaders also met with Guatemalan military members and discussed the subject-matter expert exchanges taking place. They were able to visit the Kaibil Training Center in Poptun, Guatemala, where Marines with Company A, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, Ground Combat Element of Special-Purpose MAGTF CP10 were replicating Marine swim qualifications. As well as Kaibil Brigade Base in Puerto Barrios where GCE Marines were instructing a course in non-lethal weapons.

Subject matter expert exchange is just one essential mission of Operation Continuing Promise 2010, a mission that also includes medical, dental, veterinary and engineering support and disaster relief to partner nations to the Caribbean, Central and South America. CP10 is expected to continue operations in Guatemala until, Sept. 14.

For more information on the Continuing Promise 2010 Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force, please visit the unit’s official website at http://www.marines.mil/unit/2ndMAW/SPMAGTF.

• Date Taken: 09.07.2010
• Date Posted: 09.09.2010 13:38
• Story ID: 55967
• Location: PUERTO BARRIOS, GT