United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM)

COMPLETED

UNITAS Atlantic was a SOUTHCOM-sponsored multi-national naval exercise to enhance security cooperation and improve coalition operations. Navies from Argentina, Brazil, and the United States participated in exercise UNITAS 49-08 off the coast of Brazil. The exercise trained forces in a variety of maritime scenarios, with each operating as a component of a multinational force to provide the maximum opportunity to improve interoperability. The exercise was hosted by Brazil.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command

Carrier Strike Group EIGHT POA page

USS George Washington

(CVN 73)

USS Kaufman (FFG 59)

USS Farragut (DDG 99)

USCGC Northland (WMEC 904)

Details:

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 Atlantic supports U.S. Southern Command objectives for enhanced maritime security in its area of focus. UNITAS Atlantic 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, more than 3,500 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 this year`s UNITAS Atlantic are:

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

» Carrier Strike Group Eight

» Destroyer Squadron Four Zero

» USS George Washington (CVN 73)

» USS Farragut (DDG 99)

» USS Kauffman (FFG 59)

» Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17

» VX1 (P3 Squadron)

» USCGC Northland (WMEC 904)

» U.S. Marine Corps personnel

The exercise provided unique training opportunities at sea, a challenging and uncertain environment that incorporates scripted, event-driven scenarios, to provide the maximum opportunity to improve interoperability.

UNITAS develops and sustains relationships that improve the capacity of 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.

Chile and Ecuador also participated in this year’s Atlantic 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.

Photos

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (April 26, 2008) U.S. Navy Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Scott Roark, assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99), retrieves a flight drone with the help of a Coast Guard Cutter Northland small boat crew off the coast of Brazil. The drone was used as a gun-exercise target during this year`s UNITAS exercise

More Photos

Key points and themes

Security is a necessary condition for prosperity and lasting democratic institutions. UNITAS provides opportunities for the participating nations to come together and join efforts to counter maritime activities that threaten stability in the region.

Regional challenges require cooperative solutions. UNITAS training develops and tests participating navies’ capabilities to respond to a wide variety of maritime missions as a unified force.

UNITAS has evolved over many years and now includes training for many of the same 21st century threats encountered in today’s maritime environment, along with essential seamanship and navigation that are core competencies for maritime services.

Combined aviation operations between USS George Washington (CVN 73) and Argentine naval air forces improves interoperability and provides a unique opportunity to conduct valuable training between partner nations.