This 12 months’s train is hosted by the Brazilian Navy and can included 20 taking part nations, 19 ships, one submarine, 21 plane, accounting for about 5,500 whole army personnel that can conduct operations principally off the coast of Rio de Janerio.
UNITAS, which is Latin for “unity,” was conceived in 1959 and has taken place yearly since first performed in 1960. This 12 months marks the 63rd iteration. This 12 months, Brazil will host UNITAS in conjunction and celebration of the bicentennial anniversary of each their nation’s independence and navy’s founding.
“This train is an unimaginable alternative for all taking part nations to come back collectively as skilled mariners on the ocean, below the ocean, within the air and within the littorals, to function and develop as a workforce with a purpose to strengthen our partnerships and improve our collective maritime posture,” mentioned Rear Admiral Jim Aiken, commander U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet. “Congratulations to Brazil on 200 years of independence and excellence within the maritime area on the ocean and on the land.”
Along with the USA, UNITAS LXIII will convey collectively 19 nations from throughout Central and South Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa to coach forces in joint maritime operations that improve tactical proficiency and improve interoperability. Collaborating nations embody Belize, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Namibia, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom, and Uruguay.
“Train UNITAS is a extremely anticipated premier coaching alternative for all of the taking part nations’ navies and marine corps within the Western Hemisphere,” mentioned Lt. Gen. David Bellon, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South and Marine Forces Reserve. “UNITAS highlights the inspiration of our partnerships and our dedication to constructing and sustaining the social and army relationships vital to realize frequent targets and regional safety.”
The preliminary in-port section will embody cultural exchanges, sporting occasions, neighborhood relations tasks and the chance for UNITAS LXIII companions to take part in bicentennial occasions such because the Bicentennial Naval Parade scheduled for Sept. 7 alongside the coast of Rio de Janeiro.
Following opening ceremonies on Sept. 8, naval forces will conduct mixed and joint operations as a multi-national job drive, executing an event-driven state of affairs to coach in a number of warfare areas. Ships and sailors will head to sea for maritime operation coaching and Marines will transfer inland to conduct amphibious coaching ranges earlier than coming again collectively in assist of a culminating multinational amphibious touchdown.
A major focus of UNITAS LXIII is the cooperation and integration of the multinational navy forces with marine corps and naval infantries. The maritime area consists of the littorals that includes the ocean and the world inland from the shore which will be supported and defended instantly from the ocean.
U.S. forces taking part in UNITAS LXIII embody USS Lassen (DDG 82), USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), USS Albany (SSN 753), Commander, Amphibious Squadron Eight (COMPHIBRON 8), Helicopter Sea Fight Squadron 22 (HSC 22), Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 70 Detachment 2 (HSM 70 Det 2), Patrol Squadron Sixteen (VP-16), Particular Boat Workforce 22 (SBT 22), Cell Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) Det 2, Seal Platoon from Seal Workforce 8, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Cell Unit Two (EODMU-2), Beachmaster Unit Two (BMU-2), USCG Pacific Space Tactical Legislation Enforcement Workforce (PAC AREA TACLET), Commander, Destroyer Squadron 40, (COMDESRON 40), Fleet Surgical Workforce (FST) 8, twenty fifth Marine Regiment, 3d Battalion twenty fifth Marine Regiment, 3d Power Reconnaissance Firm, 4th Gentle Armored Reconnaissance Firm (4th LAR), 4th Fight Engineer Battalion (4th CEB), sixth Engineer Help Battalion (sixth ESB), 4th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Firm (ANGLICO), 4th Civil Affairs Group (4th CAG), Marine Plane Group 49 (MAG-49), U.S Marine Corps Forces South (MARFORSOUTH), and USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT.
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet helps U.S. Southern Command’s joint and mixed army operations by using maritime forces in cooperative maritime safety operations to keep up entry, improve interoperability, and construct enduring partnerships with a purpose to improve regional safety and promote peace, stability and prosperity within the Caribbean, Central and South American area.
U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South is the Marine Corps element to U.S. Southern Command, is answerable for planning workouts, operation, and total Marine Corps assist for the SOUTHCOM assigned space of duty.
