U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command

USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98)

USS Kaufman (FFG 59)

USS Farragut (DDG 99)

UNITAS, Latin for “unity,” is a combined South American and U.S.-sponsored annual exercise series that incorporates several South American nations in addition to each phase’s host-nation. This exercise was part of the Partnership of the Americas 2008 naval deployment.

UNITAS Pacific supports U.S. Southern Command objectives for enhanced maritime security in its area of focus.  UNITAS Pacific 2008 included scenarios addressing electronic warfare, anti-air warfare and air defense, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and maritime interdiction operations.

During the exercise, U.S. Sailors and thousands of host nation citizens exchanged experiences and gained new knowledge about each other`s culture and people.

U.S. forces that took part in UNITAS Pacific 2008 were:

»   Staff elements from U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command

»   Destroyer Squadron Four Zero

»   USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98)

»   USS Farragut (DDG 99)

»   USS Kauffman (FFG 59)

»   U.S. Coast Guard International Training Division

»   U.S. Marine Corps personnel

The exercise provided unique training opportunities at sea, a challenging and uncertain environment that incorporated scripted, event-driven scenarios, to provide the maximum opportunity to improve interoperability.  UNITAS develops and sustains relationships that improve the capacity of our emerging and enduring partners’ maritime forces to achieve common desired effects.  This annual exercise fosters friendly, mutual cooperation and understanding between participating navies.

The exercise objectives were:

»   Provide the opportunity for participants to organize and conduct combined naval operations in a multinational task force, and test its responsiveness.

»   Improve the capability of participating forces to conduct a variety of real world missions.

»   Increase interoperability between U.S. and partner nations forces in planning, execution, communications, command an control and logistics.

Mexico also participated in the Pacific phase of UNITAS as observers.

HISTORY: UNITAS is the U.S. Navy`s longest-running annual multilateral exercise.   “UNITAS,” which means "unity" in Latin, has been building ties with partner nation navies since 1960.  In recent years, UNITAS has evolved from strictly bilateral exchanges to multilateral exercises that are producing tangible benefits.  In April, U.S. naval forces took part in UNITAS Atlantic in Brazil.

Photos

CALLAO NAVAL BASE, PERU (June 24, 2008) - An Ecuadorian ‎Sailor stands watch during a Vessel Boarding Search and ‎Seizure at a U.S. Coast Guard International Training ‎Seminar during UNITAS Pacific Phase 49-08. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist ‎Seaman Omar A. Dominquez)

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Key points and themes