CDS 40, USS Farragut Join UNITAS In Peru

The exercise, hosted by Peru this year, brings together nations with common interests in the Americas, and includes Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and the United States. Mexico is also participating in this year's Atlantic phase of UNITAS as an observer.

UNITAS, now in its 49th consecutive year, strengthens relationships between partner nations through at-sea operations under numerous maritime scenarios.

Capt. Rodelio Laco, Destroyer Squadron 40 Commodore, said that that this type of exercise increases proficiency and interoperability, but also builds trust between partner nations.

"The at sea portion of this exercise will be one of the most challenging to date," said Laco.

"There is just no substitute for the training we get by working together at sea with our allied and partner nations' Navies. We get better at this every year, and every year the governments, militaries, and citizens of each of these countries comes to count on one another more and more. The direct result of all of this work and training is a more trusting international environment, and the ability to accomplish together our common goals," he said.

Participating in this year's UNITAS Pacific Phase from the United States are staff elements from U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, Destroyer Squadron 40, USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98), USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Kauffman (FFG 59), United States Coast Guard International Training Division and personnel from the U.S. Marine Corps.

UNITAS provides unique training opportunities at sea, a challenging and uncertain environment, which incorporates event driven scenarios to provide the maximum opportunity to improve a better working environment between the Navies.

According to Rear Adm. Raul Vasquez, Commander Surface Force of the Peruvian Navy, in the last six years UNITAS has changed and incorporated new ways of training, in order to best challenge 21st century threats that have come upon the Nations.

While there is not a specific threat that the exercise is designed to counter, the goal is to train forces from participating nations in maritime operations such as Electronic Warfare, Anti-Air Warfare and Air Defense, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare, and Maritime Interdiction Operations.

"One of the most important objectives during UNITAS is regional cooperation," said Vasquez. "This exercise allows interoperability of our units. In the event of an actual mission, we can be ready to succeed in any challenge that we may encounter."

UNITAS 49-08 is part of Partnership of Americas (POA), an ongoing engagement operation sponsored by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). It is carried out under the operational control of the Mayport, Fla.-based U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO). The commander of Destroyer Squadron 40, Capt. Rodelio Laco, leads the deployment as Commander, Task Group 40.0.