Lance Cpl. Jordan Finestone, rifleman, Echo Company,

Lance Cpl. Jordan Finestone, rifleman, Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, visits with his girlfriend after returning from a six-month Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Dec. 12 at Hangar 105 aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Approximately 700 Marines and sailors from 2nd Bn., 3rd Marines will return home, Dec. 12 and 13, from a six-month deployment. As part of the UDP, Marines and sailors from 2nd Bn., 3rd Marines deployed throughout the Pacific, strengthening relationships with other nations through peacekeeping operations and bilateral and multilateral training events. To further enhance and define the capabilities of the Marines, they conducted jungle warfare training and live-fire training events in various countries, taking advantage of the diverse conditions and unfamiliar terrain. The battalion successfully deployed units to conduct bilateral and multilateral exercises in Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Philippines, Mongolia, the Republic of Korea, and mainland Japan. The UDP has been in place since 1977, varying in size and scope. The UDP was reduced in scale in 2003 due to increased personnel and equipment demands in Central Command. In June 2012, 2nd Bn., 3rd Marines was the first Marine Corps infantry battalion to resume the UDP. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob D. Barber)