Lieutenant Col. George Hasseltine, commanding officer

Lieutenant Col. George Hasseltine, commanding officer of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force South, and a native of Metairie, La., speaks to sailors during an awards ceremony aboard the future amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), Aug. 12, 2014. During the ceremony, America and SPMAGTF Sailors were awarded tan belts from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. The Sailors were part of the first MCMAP class to be offered during the ship's transit. Through joint participation in programs like MCMAP, the Marines and Sailors aboard America are able to build upon the Navy-Marine Corps team that provides the U.S. and its partners with an unparalleled ability to operate across the continuum of crisis. SPMAGTF-South is currently embarked aboard America in support of her maiden transit, "America Visits the Americas." (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Donald Holbert/ Released)