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Flotilla of Foreign Ships Arrive at Naval Station Mayport for UNITAS Gold

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090420-20
Release Date: 4/20/2009 3:50:00 PM

By Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Joseph J. Olivares and Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sean Allen, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East Detachment Southeast.

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- Ships from nine different nations arrived at Naval Station Mayport on April 17 to participate in UNITAS Gold.

UNITAS is a multinational exercise which brings partner nations' navies to focus on logistics, communications, combat doctrines, and other interests. The exercise, which began in 1959, represents the continued effort to promote partnerships and understanding between participants.

Among the ships arriving to Mayport was the German ship FGS Frankfurt AM Main, one of three German ships to be involved in this year's exercise.

"Our Navy has participated in this event for several years. It is important for the navies of these various countries to perform these maneuvers and cooperate with each other," Cmdr. Stefan Berger, commanding officer of the Frankfurt remarked.

Berger also stated terrorism and piracy are among the most pressing issues facing the the German Navy.

"We hope this exercise will bring forth the importance of working together to fight piracy and deter terrorism throughout the world."

In addition to participating in UNITAS, sailors on board the Frankfurt will have the opportunity to enjoy all that Jacksonville has to offer.

"This is my first time in Jacksonville. I plan on touring the city and going to the beach," said Navigation Seaman Daniel Klima.

The exercise will last two weeks and will involve some 20 ships from Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, Germany, and the United States. This year's exercise is being hosted by the United States and executed by Commander, U.S. 4th Fleet (COMFOURTHFLT) is the numbered fleet commander assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, exercising operational control of assigned forces. COMFOURTHFLT conducts the full spectrum of maritime security operations (MSO) in support of U.S objectives and security cooperation activities that promote coalition building and deter aggression. COMFOURTHFLT acts in concert with other U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) components, coalition forces, and Joint Task Forces to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the USSOUTHCOM area of focus.