Whidbey Island marines train with Portuguese counterparts in Lisbon

U.S. marines aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) completed a successful port visit to Lisbon, Portugal, on December 10.

The embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) welcomed members of the Fuzileiros- the Portuguese Marine Corps – aboard Whidbey Island for a visit and joint training.

“We also demonstrated Marine Corps marital arts program moves, did some fast-roping exercises, and finished with a mud run over a series of obstacles with them,” said Sgt. Jonathan Swaffer, 3rd section leader for amphibious assault vehicle platoon. “It was a bit of a change of pace for us. It was a good time.”

While in Lisbon, Whidbey Island’s sailors and marines took part in two community relations projects and tour the Portuguese countryside on a morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) trip.

During the visit Whidbey Island took on fuel, supplies and mail.

The ship and its embarked Marines departed Norfolk, Virginia, on June 25, 2016, for a regularly scheduled deployment as part of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).