UNITAS Gold, Longest Running Naval Exercise, Begins in Florida

[Metallic]

UNITED STATES - 21 April 2009

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- Representatives from 11 countries participated in the opening ceremony of UNITAS Gold April 20.

Mayport hosted maritime forces from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico, Peru, the United States and Uruguay for the 50th iteration of the annual multinational maritime exercise, which will take place off the coast of Florida April 20-May 5.

UNITAS is the longest running multilateral maritime exercise. The exercise's goal is to work together with partner nation maritime units and personnel during several land and sea based scenarios. This year's exercise is hosted by the United States and executed by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO) and U.S. 4th Fleet.

"Through the years, UNITAS has evolved to fit the landscape, needs, and mutual naval and maritime interests of the Americas and Caribbean," said Rear Adm. Joseph Kernan, NAVSO and U.S. 4th Fleet commander. "As we move forward together, I am confident that future opportunities to work with our partners will not only strengthen our ability to operate together and provide for our nations security but will also build personal and professional respect and friendships."

During the two-week exercise, the United States, partner nations and Latin American countries will train together in a realistic tactical training environment featuring live-fire exercises, undersea warfare, shipboard operations, maritime interdiction operations, air defense and surface warfare, amphibious operations, electronic warfare, and special warfare. In all, more than 30 ships, two submarines and 50 aircraft will participate.

The U.S. Navy representation consists of the amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), guided- missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), USCGC Thetis (WMEC 910) and guided-missile frigates USS Doyle (FFG 39) and USS Kauffman (FFG 59).

U.S. 4th Fleet is the numbered fleet assigned to NAVSO, exercising operational control of assigned forces. Fourth Fleet conducts the full spectrum of Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in support of U.S objectives and security cooperation activities that promote coalition building and deter aggression. U.S. 4th Fleet acts in concert with other U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) components, coalition forces, and Joint Task Forces to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the SOUTHCOM area of focus.

Rear Adm. Joseph Kernan, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet, speaks to the commanding officers of partner nation ships participating in UNITAS Gold.

 

[white_pawn]

UNITAS Gold Marks 50 Years of International Maritime Cooperation
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 21, 2009 – The Navy’s longest-running annual multilateral exercise got underway yesterday off the Florida coast, with 11 participating nations working together to promote maritime security and stability in Latin America.

Navy Adm. James Stavridis, commander of U.S. Southern Command, called the 50th UNITAS Gold exercise a milestone for naval cooperation in the Western Hemisphere.

Initially launched to strengthen participants’ capability to defend the Americas against Soviet submarines, the exercise changed over time to address evolving security challenges, Stavridis noted.

“Yet, the core purpose has remained constant: the desire to build mutually beneficial partnerships among the navies of the Western Hemisphere,” he said.

Stavridis said he’s operated as part of UNITAS numerous times during his Navy career. “What I have learned, through partnership and friendship, about our friends in the Americas has been invaluable to me,” he said.

This year’s UNITAS Gold, hosted by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet, includes the militaries of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay.

The U.S. Navy’s amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde, guided missile destroyer USS Donald Cook and guided missile frigates USS Doyle and USS Kaufman are among the 25 participating ships, along with four submarines, more than 50 aircraft, 650 Marines and 6,500 sailors.

The scenario-driven training will feature live-fire exercises, undersea warfare, shipboard operations, maritime interdiction operations, anti-air and anti-surface warfare, amphibious operations, electronic warfare and special warfare, officials said.

“As we move forward together, I am confident the future opportunities to work with our partners will not only strengthen our ability to operate together for our nations’ security, but will also build personal and professional respect and friendships,” said Navy Adm. Joseph Kernan, commander of NAVSO and U.S. 4th Fleet

UNITAS Gold Marks 50 Years of International Maritime Cooperation

 

[white_pawn]

 

[Metallic]

UNITAS Ships Begin At-Sea Training Operations
24 April 2009

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Ships from eleven nations got underway April 23 for UNITAS Gold, the 50th iteration of the longest-running multinational maritime exercise.

Maritime forces from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico, Peru, the United States and Uruguay left Mayport, Fla., and began the underway portion of the annual partnership building exercise.

"Through the years, UNITAS has evolved to fit the landscape, needs, and mutual naval and maritime interests of the Americas and Caribbean," said Rear Adm. Joseph D. Kernan, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO) and U.S. 4th Fleet. "As we move forward together, I am confident that future opportunities to work with our partners will not only strengthen our ability to operate together and provide for our nation's security but will also build personal and professional respect and friendships."

For 50 years, UNITAS has served as the primary maritime security engagement exercise among the militaries of the Western Hemisphere.

During the two-week exercise lasting from April 20-May 5, the United States and partner nations will train together in a realistic scenario-driven training environment featuring live-fire exercises, undersea warfare, shipboard operations, maritime interdiction operations, air defense and surface warfare, amphibious operations, electronic warfare, and special warfare. More than 30 ships, two submarines and 50 aircraft from the U.S. and participating navies are involved.

"This isn't something we have an opportunity to do quite often," said Canadian Army 1st Lt. Michael Faber of Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment. "The Canadian forces are very much arranged towards international partnerships and joint operations. UNITAS provides us a chance to practice working on our basic operational skills with people of other countries."

Faber also said UNITAS helps provide his team with the experience they need to be ready for almost any real-world operation.

During the exercise, Sailors, Marines and Coastguardsmen have the opportunity to train side-by-side with Latin American navies in a high-tech environment using state-of-the-art equipment. The relationships that develop from this exercise will help to foster cooperation and understanding between participating Navies.

A member of the Brazilian marines, Private Renan Gabriel said he is grateful his unit was selected to participate in this exercise. He said the differences between American and Brazlian operational procedures are almost non-existent.

"There are little differences between our two forces," said Gabriel. "We have identical fast rope and amphibious operation instructions."

"It's quite amazing," said Ship's Serviceman Seaman Philip Kozloff, a ship store attendant on board amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19). "It's great to meet other people from different countries and learn their customs or culture. It helps build our relationships with them abroad."

ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 23, 2009) Maritime forces from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico, Peru, The United States and Uruguay sail in formation during UNITAS Gold, the 50th iteration of the annual multi-national maritime exercise to increase interoperability among participating navies. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Seth Johnson/Released)

 

[Metallic]

German Senior Officer Tours Mesa Verde During UNITAS Gold Exercise

USS MESA VERDE, At Sea (NNS) -- The chief of naval operations of the German Fleet toured the amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19) May 2 during UNTIAS Gold.

"I've heard a lot of good news about this ship. I'm very impressed with its variety of capabilities and I think all in all it's the kind of ship we need in today's navies," Vice Adm. Hans-Joachim Stricker said.

Shortly after arriving, Stricker rode on a Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) craft and then toured the ship before having lunch with Capt. Rudy Laco, commander Destroyer Squadron 40 and the multinational officers aboard for UNITAS.

"UNITAS offers us the chance to train together as a coalition peacefully in case we must conduct real life operations," said Stricker.

"It's a pleasure to have the German chief of naval operations with us," said Laco, "I'm grateful to have the opportunity to show him the great work that his ship and sailors have contributed to UNITAS."

This year marks the 50th iteration of UNITAS, a multinational exercise that provides opportunities for participating nations to increase their collective ability to counter maritime activities that threaten stability. Participating countries are Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico, Peru, the United States and Uruguay.


Official U.S. Navy file photo of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26 recovers a search and rescue swimmer during the search and rescue training exercise portion of UNITAS Gold. HSC 26 is embarked aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) participating in UNITAS Gold, the 50th iteration of the annual multinational exercise. Maritime forces from Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico, Peru, the United States, and Uruguay are participating in UNITAS Gold, which provides the opportunity to conduct and integrate joint and combined land, maritime, coast guard and air operations in a realistic training environment.

 

[Metallic]

UNITAS Gold 2009 Draws To A Close
5 MAY 2009

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- UNITAS Gold, the 50th iteration of the longest running multinational exercise in the world came to a close May 4, following more than two weeks of realistic training scenarios.

Participating nations included U.S. and partner maritime forces and observers from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay.

A parade of ships entered Mayport as friends, families, dignitaries and spectators watched Sailors manning the rails on more than a dozen warships representing their respective navies.

"I am so thankful for the opportunity to participate in the tactics of our partner navies, as well as the chance to share in their rich customs and cultures," said Capt. Orlando Romero, commanding officer, Colombian Navy auxiliary ship ARC Cartegena de Indias.

During the 16-day exercise, more than 25 ships, four submarines, 50 aircraft, and 7,000 Sailors and Marines took part in training tailored to address a variety of mission specific areas including live-fire exercises, undersea warfare, shipboard operations, maritime interdiction operations, air defense and surface warfare, amphibious operations, electronic warfare, and special warfare.

"As we move forward together, I am confident that future opportunities to work with our partners will not only strengthen our ability to operate together and provide for our nations security but will also build personal and professional respect and friendships," said Rear Adm. Joseph Kernan, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO) and Commander, U.S. 4th Fleet.

The exercise is designed to train participating forces in a variety of maritime scenarios, each operating as a component of a multinational force, and providing the maximum opportunity to improve interoperability.

"All of the navies are learning from the multi-mission exercise. We're establishing a command and control infrastructure to run scenarios which we may encounter in a real time environment," said Capt. Rudy Laco, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 40.

"We have been able to get underway from day one - sorting eighteen ships, establishing a command and control network and accomplishing multiple taskings including a photo exercise and an MIO (maritime interdiction operations) boarding."