Joint Multinational Exercise Concludes, Integrates Forces
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS041119-04
Release Date: 11/19/2004 10:35:00 AM
By Lt. j.g. Audrey Oxley, Commander, Destroyer Squaron 6 Public Affairs
USS DEWERT (NNS) -- UNITAS Atlantic Phase concluded in Montevideo, Uruguay, Nov. 17, after two weeks of seminars and training operations involving more than 2,000 people, 10 ships, two submarines and 11 aircraft from Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Spain and the United States.
The Navy task group, led by Commander, Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 6 Capt. Dave Costa, included Mayport, Fla.,-based frigate USS DeWert (FFG 45), Pascagoula, Miss.,- based USS John L. Hall (FFG 32) and embarked helicopter detachments.
This year, for the first time, UNITAS incorporated a U.S. Air Force unit into the traditionally maritime exercise. The 5th Special Operations Squadron provided real-time search and rescue support, and anti-air defense training opportunities to the surface force.
At sea, the combined national task groups engaged in a robust series of multiple warfare training exercises.
Each participating nation agreed to an aggressive schedule of training and exercises to be conducted during the 10-day at-sea phase.
The highlight of the at-sea phase was a live-fire exercise against BQM-74 drones launched from John L. Hall. This exercise allowed the seven participating ships to exercise their combat systems against a very realistic and challenging threat.
John L. Hall Commanding Officer Cmdr. Eric C. Young said UNITAS offered relevant training for real-world situations.
"Our world has changed since the USS Cole (DDG 67) incident and 9-11, and we must never allow our partner nations to our south to fight the battle alone," said Young. "We must be united, with two goals: interoperability and cooperative engagement."
For six months, participating nations, under the leadership of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (COMUSNAVSO) Rear Adm. Vinson E. Smith, and Commander of the Uruguayan Fleet Rear Adm. Oscar Debali, were intricately involved in the planning process of the operation.
"UNITAS 46-05 was a complete and total success. I enjoyed participating in all exercises, especially the tactical maneuvering drills," said Chief Cryptologic Technician (Technical) Reggie Daniels, Combat Information Center leading chief aboard DeWert. "Despite the language barrier, all units executed the complex tactical signals with precision. Working with the different nations benefited all participants. I am looking forward to future UNITAS exercises."
Not limited to the Navy's active component participation, COMUSNAVSO and CDS-6 Reservists supported their gaining command in Uruguay.
"This is the most comprehensive and hands-on training I have had in the five years I have been in the reserves," said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Patricia Lah from Naval Reserve CDS 6, Det. G. "This opportunity to travel and work with the Uruguayan navy has given me the opportunity to experience another culture and refine my skills. I have noticed that there are actually many similarities in the way their Navy is organized. It's great!"
Lt. Cmdr. Edward Martinez, commanding officer of Naval Reserve CDS 6, Det. A, Naval Reserve Center Lehigh Valley, Pa., spearheading the combined exercise control group ashore, experienced firsthand the new dimension exercise had taken on.
"The participating navies formed a cohesive exercise control team that adapted to poor weather and executed a meaningful exercise," he said. "This resulted in the exercise of multinational command and control structures, and improved our good working relations with our partner nations."
Integrating foreign and U.S. militaries, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force and active-duty forces with reserve components, UNITAS continues to offer a platform for building coalition, fostering professional understanding and ultimately increasing the readiness of all participants.
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