Col. Johnston, left, the U.S. Marine Corps commanding officer for Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 24, talks with Vice President Of Peru, Luis Giampietri, right before U.S. Marines from Special Purpose Marine Air-ground Task Force and 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion take part in a multinational amphibious beach assault on July 19. The unit was deployed in support of operation Partnership of the Americas/Southern Exchange, a combined amphibious exercise designed to enhance cooperative partnerships with maritime forces from Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia.