U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Lofgren observes flight operations during UNITAS LXV
U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Richard Lofgren, vice commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, speaks with Lt Col. David Merritt, an F/A-18C pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 112, about flight operations during Exercise UNITAS LXV in Santiago, Chile, Sept. 8, 2024. During Lofgren’s visit, he observed flight operations and met with flight personnel. UNITAS, taking place in Chile this year, is the world’s longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise that focuses on enhancing interoperability among multiple nations and joint forces during littoral and amphibious operations in order to build on existing regional partnerships and create new enduring relationships that promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility. (U. S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Madisyn Paschal)