Col. Johnston, right, the U.S. Marine Corps Commanding Officer for Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 24 shakes hands with the Vice President of Peru during a final ceremony for Partnership of the Americas/ Southern Exchange on July 19, 2010 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.