Multinational Force Hones Skills During UNITAS
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS050801-02
Release Date: 8/1/2005 10:00:00 AM
By Journalist 1st Class Brian Brannon and Journalist 2nd Class Jose Lopez, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command Public Affairs
CARTAGENA, Colombia (NNS) -- UNITAS 46-05 Pacific Phase wrapped up July 24 in Cartagena, Colombia, after two weeks of training and maneuvers in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean.
Warships and aircraft from Panama, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and the United States conducted evolutions ranging from maritime interdiction operations to drone firing exercises.
“I need to recognize with great admiration the execution of the Colombian Armada not only as a host of UNITAS, but also as a force committed to secure peace in Colombia,” said Rear Adm. V.E. Smith, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command.
UNITAS exercises are sponsored by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command with the objective to foster cooperation and increase interoperability among the navies of the Americas. Held continuously since 1959, UNITAS has become the premier multinational naval exercise in the Southern Command area of operations.
UNITAS 46-05 involved more than 2,000 Sailors and Coast Guardsmen aboard 18 ships, two submarines, and 18 fixed and rotary wing aircraft. In addition, Colombian Air Force M-5 Mirage, KFIR and A-37 aircraft played opposition roles during air defense training events.
“The opportunity to train in a multiwarfare environment with foreign navies is rare,” said Cmdr. Joe Leonard, commanding officer of USS Thomas S. Gates (CG 51), the U.S. flagship for UNITAS 46-05. “To do anti-submarine, anti-air and anti-surface exercises reflects our interoperability with different tactics.”
The participation of two diesel submarines, ARC Pijao, from Colombia, and BAP Pisagua, from Peru, made anti-submarine warfare training one of the highlights of the exercise.
“This is an anti-submarine warship,” said Chilean Lt. Cmdr. Fernando Cabrera, operations officer for BACH Almirante Williams. “We liked that evolution. We also liked the submarine evasion techniques.”
Anti-submarine warfare training events, as well as cross-decking operations, presented challenging training for the air crews of embarked Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light) (HSL) 42 and 48.
“Normally, we train among ourselves,” said Lt. j.g. Brian Koch, a helicopter pilot with HSL-48, embarked on Thomas S. Gates. “Here we’ve done a lot of cross-deck exercises where we’ve landed on the decks of ship types we’ve never seen before.”
Another aspect of the exercise dealt with maritime interdiction operations (MIO). The boarding teams from participating units conducted training seminars ashore to unify procedures and review techniques for safe weapons handling, search and seizure procedures and treatment of detainees. At sea, the ships’ boarding teams and special forces detachments executed their movements from small boats or helicopters.
“The ships have their own security forces,” said 1st Lt. Roberto Hinojosa, Peruvian special forces. “However, when they are overwhelmed, we enter the scene and secure the ship. It’s great how we can all come together to develop strategies so we all know how to work with each other.”
Chilean Capt. Cristian de la Maza, commanding officer of BACH Almirante Williams, also feels that the MIO exercises are beneficial to all nations.
“The MIO exercises that take place at sea add realism,” said de la Maza. “They bring a new dimension to what national security is now.”
Gunners from all participating units had the opportunity to fire the ships’ weapons at a passing drone. The vessels aligned from fore-to-aft in a line, took aim to port and fired at a remote-controlled drone simulating an incoming missile. This exercise was designed to enhance shipboard gunners' targeting skills.
After transiting the Panama Canal into the Caribbean, the vessels continued tactical maneuvers and live-fire exercises, concluding their at-sea period with a Final Battle Problem. During this phase, the multinational naval forces used the training they had undergone over the previous weeks to complete a wide a variety of missions and no-notice taskings, which could range from ship takeovers to answering distress calls in the area of operations.
“The Final Battle Problem exposed Samuel B. Roberts crew members to the unique challenges faced when maritime forces from different nations come together to conduct operations at sea,” said Cmdr. Bernard Gately, commanding officer, USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58).
The multinational force commander during the final battle problem was Colombian Capt. Henry Blain, embarked aboard the frigate ARC Caldas. Blain and his staff were responsible for coordinating assets and prioritizing tasks while operating under strict rules of engagement.
“These types of exercises are good. First of all, one must complete the assigned mission,” said Colombian navy Ensign Cindy M. Calderon, ASW officer aboard ARC Caldas (FM 52). “Then one gets to exchange opinions with other navies. It gives me the opportunity to share experiences with others. This is helpful professionally and personally.”
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