A LOCAL MILITARY UNIT IS ENGAGED IN SOME ARDUOUS TRAINING. THE MARINES AND SAILORS OF LIMA COMPANY, BASED IN JOHNSON CITY, HAVE DEPARTED FROM THEIR RESERVE TRAINING CENTER AND JOINED THEIR PARENT COMPANY UNIT 3RD BATTALION 24TH MARINE REGIMENT FOR TWO WEEKS OF RUGGED, PHYSICALLY DEMANDING, AND MENTALLY TAXING TRAINING. THE TRAINING IS CONDUCTED AT ALTITUDES EXCEEDING 7-THOUSAND FEET HIGH IN THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS. THE CURRENT MISSION OF THE ENTIRE UNIT IS TO CONDUCT FORMAL SCHOOLS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND BATTALIONS TRAINING IN SUMMER AND WINTER MOUNTAIN OPERATIONS TO PREPARE THE MARINE CORP AND JOINT AND ALLIED FORCES FOR POSSIBLE OPERATIONS IN MOUNTAINOUS, HIGH ALTITUDE, AND COLD WEATHER ENVIRONMENTS.