UNITAS 2016

UNITAS 2016 was a multinational maritime exercise conducted to enhance security cooperation and improve coalition operations. Held off the coast of Panama from Sept. 18 - 28, 2016, UNITAS trained forces from the Western Hemisphere in a variety of maritime scenarios. Ships, aircraft and personnel from the U.S. and 10 countries participated in the exercise.

18 ships from Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and the United States sail together during the UNITAS 2016 multinational maritime exercise off the coast of Panama.

18 ships from Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and the United States sail together during the UNITAS 2016 multinational maritime exercise off the coast of Panama. UNITAS is an annual multi-national exercise that focuses on strengthening our existing regional partnerships and encourages establishing new relationships through the exchange of maritime mission-focused knowledge and expertise throughout the exercise. (U.S. Navy Photo)

RIO DE JANEIRO (Sept. 8, 2022) From left, U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Flip Capistrano, Coast Guard attaché Brazil, U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Len “Loni” Anderson, the commanding general of 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve, and U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, talk after the opening ceremony for exercise UNITAS LXIII, during a tour aboard the USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) on Ilha de Mocangue Naval Base, Rio de Janeiro, Sept. 8, 2022.

An MH-60R Sea Hawk assigned to the “Scorpions” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49 flies towards the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) during UNITAS LXII, Sept. 30, 2021.

LCACs land on a beach during a UNITAS LXII amphibious landing demonstration.

Multinational forces gather for the opening ceremony to kick off UNITAS LXII at the Peruvian Naval Academy, Sept. 27, 2021.

Multinational service members pose for a photo following the opening ceremony for UNITAS LXII at the Peruvian Naval Academy, Sept. 27, 2021.

USS Mustin arrives at anchorage in Callao, Peru, Sept. 23, 2021.

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 269 unload a UH-1Y Venom helicopter from a C-17 Globemaster III plane during UNITAS LXII in Lima, Peru, Sept. 23, 2021. UNITAS is the world's longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise that focuses on enhancing interoperability among multiple nations and joint forces during Pacific, amphibious, and amazon 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. HMLA-269 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elias E. Pimentel III)

U.S. Navy Landing Craft Air Cushions conduct ship-to-shore operations.

A U.S. Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion lands on shore.

Brazilian sailors and Marines treat a simulated casualty.

A Brazilian amphibious assault vehicle conducts ship-to-shore operations.

A group of people pose for a picture on the beach.

Marine amphibious assault vehicles in the water.

Marine amphibious assault vehicles come ashore.

Military members from Peru, Colombia, Ecuador conduct amphibious training.

A military leader gives a safety brief to a group of troops.

Navy Adm. Craig Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command, speaks at a podium.

July 28, 2017

UNITAS 2017 Concludes in Peru

July 19, 2017

U.S. Coast Guard Hosts Maritime Law Enforcement Symposium

July 18, 2017

UNITAS 2017 Naval Exercise Begins In Peru

Overview

This year’s exercise, hosted by Panama, was designed to train each navy and public security force to conduct joint naval operations, through the execution of littoral warfare, anti-piracy, maritime interdiction operations, countering transnational organized crime, anti-surface warfare, electronic warfare, communications exercises and air operations in order to increase interoperability and capability between participating naval forces.

Participating Nations

Naval, maritime and public security forces from the United States, Panama, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico and Peru participated in UNITAS 2016. Personnel from Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, and United Kingdom also took part within the multinational staff element.

U.S. Forces in UNITAS 2016

USNS SPEARHEAD (T-EPF 1)
USCGC MOHAWK (WMEC 913)
Joint Task Force-Bravo
Naval Special Warfare Unit (NSWU) 4
V Bat UAS Detachment
Puma UAS Detachment from Aerovironment
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet
Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 40

Background

UNITAS, which is Latin for “unity,” was first executed in 1960 and has been held every year since. This year marks the 57th iteration of the world’s longest running annual multinational maritime exercise.

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 and public security forces.