Pelè Lights Torch to Open Military World Games

By Tim Hipps

U.S. Army Installation Management Command

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 19, 2011 – Counseil International du Sport Militaire borrowed a page from the International Olympic Committee to stage the opening ceremony of the 5th Military World Games at Olympic Stadium here July 16.

The spectacle had all the pomp, circumstance and pageantry expected of a military gathering of 109 nations dedicated to CISM’s motto of “Friendship Through Sport.” It also resembled the unforgettable opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, albeit on a smaller scale.

Marching bands from the Brazilian army, navy, air force, military police and firefighters dueled. The Brazilian army’s symphonic band dazzled. The CISM flag was raised. The torch was run around the stadium. Military jets, planes and helicopters performed symmetry, skywriting and acrobatics overhead.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousselff officially declared the 2011 CISM Military World Games open for more than 5,000 athletes, including 250 from her host nation, who will compete in the 20 sports the competition offers.

Edison Arantes do Nascimento, best known as Pelè -- a Brazilian national hero widely regarded as the greatest soccer player ever -- carried the CISM torch up the steps and lit the cauldron.

The athletes, coaches, trainers and support staff of 109 national military teams marched around the track in a display of patriotism.

“Walking out there with your flag kind of gives you that esprit de corps,” said Army Capt. Randee Farrell, captain of the U.S. women’s CISM soccer team, who serves as marketing director of admissions at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. “I think everyone’s ready. I think it’s great to see all the countries come together.

“I was standing there talking with four Iranian women on their shooting team. That’s pretty cool,” she added. “I think the great thing about CISM is it’s across political lines. It’s about really just meeting the people and knowing who they are. I think that’s the great thing about sports, in general, but just like in this environment, what other time are you going to have two or three Americans with four Iranian women? We had a great picture, and we were joking with them.”

Army distance runner Maj. Dan Browne marched in the 2004 Olympics opening ceremony in Athens, but had never attended a CISM Military World Games opener.

“Memories of Athens were sort of coming back to me,” he said. “It was neat, too, in a sense that being in uniform, there’s that extra sense of pride. It was a special thing.”

Thousands of school children performed numerous song and dance displays that illustrated Brazil’s culture, nature, heritage, industry and beautiful people – from the Amazon Rain Forest to the oil refineries to the Blue Sea. Brazil produces 20 percent of the world’s drinkable water and is regarded as the “Lungs of the World” because of its lush tropical forests.

Brazilian pop music stars Jorge Aragao, Alcione, Dudu Nobre and Diogo Nogueira performed during the grand finale of the two-hour program, produced by Abel Gomes.

“It was great to embrace to Brazilian culture,” Farrell said. “Brazil really showed us what they have to offer. We went out to Copacabana Beach the other day, and we’re ready to experience the culture for the rest of the week.”

Willie Wilson, chief of the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program, attended the 2003 CISM Military World Games in Catania, Italy, and is serving as Team USA’s modern pentathlon team captain in Rio de Janeiro.

“When the president of Brazil spoke and then they had Pelè light the CISM torch, what an event!” Wilson said. “They no doubt made Opening Ceremony a special event.”

Wilson, a retired Army sergeant major who also served as WCAP’s first sergeant, marched around the track with the athletes during the parade of nations.

“I was humbled to have that opportunity, because I am here to support Modern Pentathlon,” he said. “I’m not an athlete, and I did not get here the same route that they did. I was honored to be a part of the U.S. delegation and have the privilege of marching around the track and representing the United States.”

The 6th Military World Games, scheduled for 2015, have been awarded to South Korea.

U.S, South American Navies Train and Prepare while in Rio de Janeiro

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Steve Smith, Southern Seas 2011 Public Affairs

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (NNS) -- U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships, along with their South American partners, prepared for the second half of the Atlantic phase of UNITAS 52 May 1, while in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Sailors and Coast Guardsmen from guided-missile destroyer Nitze (DDG 94), guided-missile frigates USS Thach (FFG 43) and USS Boone (FFG 28), and USCGC cutter Escanaba (WMEC 907), attended various training and preplanning briefs in preparation of the second half of UNITAS, alongside their Brazilian, Mexican and Argentinian counterparts.

"These sessions allowed the team the opportunity to clearly understand the exercise design and answer any safety questions related to the complex events ahead," said Capt. Marc Weeks, commander, Task Group 138.0. "It also allows participants to cover any shortfalls or concerns about the exercise before the ships return to sea."

In addition to the training sessions, each country hosted a reception during which their respective navies were able to showcase their ships, crews and customs in a social environment.

"These events were the highlight of our stay in Rio de Janeiro," said Weeks. "The receptions enabled the re-establishment of old friendships, the development of new individual friendships, and it was a venue for each participating Navy to showcase their individual honors, customs and traditions."

Sailors also gathered for a day of soccer, tug-of-war and other friendly competitions during a sporting events day.

The six-day stop in Rio de Janeiro marked the midway point of the three-week exercise, which runs April 15-May 9.

The ships will spend seven days at sea for the final portion of the exercise. The Atlantic phase will end with a community relations project, wreath laying memorial ceremony and closing ceremony, in Rio Grande, Brazil.

UNITAS, Latin for "unity," is a combined South American and U.S.-sponsored annual exercise series. Active participants for UNITAS 52 include Brazil, the United States, Argentina, Mexico, Peru and Chile.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) supports U.S. Southern Command joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

UNITAS 52 Sets Sail to Strengthen Security Cooperation

By Lt.j.g. Matthew Comer, Southern Seas 2011 Public Affairs

SALVADOR, Brazil (NNS) -- Three U.S. Navy ships, one U.S. Coast Guard cutter, four Brazilian navy ships and one Mexican navy ship departed Salvador, Brazil for the first sea phase of UNITAS Atlantic 52, April 19 and 20.

Guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 98), frigates USS Boone (FFG 28) and USS Thach (FFG 43), and USCGC Escanaba (WMEC 907) will work with a total of six ships, two submarines and nine aircraft from the Brazilian and Mexican navies.

UNITAS, Latin for "unity," is an annual SOUTHCOM-sponsored, multinational naval exercise to enhance security cooperation and improve coalition operations.

At-sea participants for UNITAS LANT 52 phase one include Brazil, the United States, and Mexico.

Prior to departing, the naval group completed an initial planning conference which allowed the captains and crews of all vessels to discuss the upcoming events and become familiar with each other before getting underway.

"The participating ships came together for pre-sail information sharing, in order to exchange exercise specifics, discuss safety of operations, and to answer any questions prior to commencing the at-sea portion of the exercise," said Capt. Marc Weeks, Task Group 138.0 commander.

During their time in port, task group commanders met to discuss the upcoming week which will focus on maritime surface, air and submarine defense. Navies will spend the next week developing seamanship and maneuvering capabilities through maritime interdiction operations, replenishment at sea, and various aircraft and submarine exercises.

"UNITAS is designed to foster trust and develop international partnerships via the common language of naval mariners," said Weeks.

The participants spent time getting to know each other both as mariners and as individuals. Vice Adm. Carlos Autran, Brazil's Second Naval District commander, hosted a reception for the staff and officers participating in UNITAS at Fort San Antonio. The reception featured food and music from the region and exposed partners to the local culture.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (COMUSNAVSO) and U.S. 4th Fleet (C4F) supports U.S. Southern Command joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

SECNAV Concludes 10-Day Trip to Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Brazil

From Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin O'Brien, Secretary of the Navy Public Affairs

MANAUS, Brazil (NNS) -- The secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) concluded a 10-day trip from Jan. 10-19 of engagement and partnership building in South America, which included visits to Colombia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

SECNAV Ray Mabus began his tour with a two-day stop in Bogota, Colombia.

There he met with U.S. Ambassador to Colombia Michael McKinley and discussed U.S.-Colombian relations, including military-to-military relations and shared efforts to counter drug trafficking in the region. Following his meeting with the embassy team, Mabus met with the Marine Security Force Detachment and re-enlisted two Marines.

While in Bogota, Secretary Mabus met with senior Colombian naval and government officials, to include Chief of Navy Adm. Alvaro Echandia Duran; Minister of Defense Rodrigo Ribera Salazar; Chief of Defense Edgar Augusto Cely Nunez; Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar; and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos.

During his meeting with Santos, Mabus discussed the importance of strong U.S.-Colombian relations.

"We greatly appreciate the strong partnership that the U.S. and Colombia share," Mabus said. "We appreciate the broad access and operational cooperation Colombia provides the U.S. military, which enhances security throughout the region."

Following his visit to Colombia, Mabus traveled to Lima, Peru, where he met with U.S Ambassador to Peru Rose Likins and received briefings from her staff. Additionally, Mabus met with the military personnel attached to the embassy and thanked them for their service.

Mabus met with several Peruvian naval and government officials during his visit, to include Chief of Navy, Adm. Jorge de la Puente Ribeyro; Chief of Defense Gen. Luis Howell Ballena; Minister of Defense Jaime Thorne Leon; and representatives from the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Mabus expressed his appreciation for the Peruvian navy's contributions to regional security during his office call with Ribeyro.

"Your Navy's participation and leadership in exercises such as UNITAS and SIFOREX (Silent Force Exercise) are greatly appreciated," Mabus said. "These exercises are crucial contributors to our navies' readiness and strong ties."

Mabus also congratulated Peruvian officials on the 100-year anniversary of their submarine force.

While in Lima, Mabus also officiated at a christening ceremony for the Naval Medical Research Center Unit (NMRU) 6 building, where he made brief remarks and unveiled a plaque commemorating the unit's establishment. NMRU 6 partners with the Peruvian Army and Navy to conduct research on a wide range of infectious diseases that threaten the population in the region.

"The work you do here has great benefit to Peru, South America and all of America," said Mabus, during the ceremony. "Your work has the opportunity to change the world and effect they way we understand diseases that have plagued mankind for centuries."

On his final day in Peru, Mabus traveled to Iquitos, Peru, in the Amazon River basin. There he got underway with a Peruvian navy riverine squadron, receiving a first-hand look at how it conducts operations against drug trafficking along the Amazon River.

Following his productive visit to Peru, Mabus traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he met with the U.S. Ambassador to Argentina Vilma Martinez and members of the Marine Corps Security Force.

His visit also included engagements with Argentine Chief of Navy Adm. Jorge Omar Godoy and Minister of Defense Arturo Puricelli. In meetings with Argentine officials, Mabus expressed thanks for Argentina's continued contributions in Haiti, and for hosting the multination exercise UNITAS LANT in 2010 and discussed ways to increase mutually beneficial training opportunities between the U.S. and Argentine navies.

"We deeply value Argentina's leadership in region and appreciate our strong military-to-military ties," said Mabus. "We look forward to strengthening those ties based on shared values and common interests."

The last stop on Mabus' South American trip was a two-day visit to Brasilia and Manaus, Brazil. While in Brasilia, he met with U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Thomas Shannon and his embassy team to discuss U.S.-Brazil relations. He also visited with Brazil's Chief of Defense Gen. Jose Carlos de Nardi and Adm. Julio Soares de Moura Neto, commander of the Brazilian navy.

Moura Neto presented Mabus with the prestigious Order of Naval Merit Award at the close of their meeting. This award is granted to individuals who have served Brazil in a significant way or have distinguished themselves during the performance of their naval duties.

Following the award ceremony, Mabus expressed his gratitude for the award and the strong relationship between the two nations.

"It is truly an honor to receive this award," Mabus said. "I accept this on behalf of all our Sailors and Marines. The U.S. appreciates our close relationship with Brazil; your leadership provides a valuable contribution to regional stability, relations and economic growth."

On his final day, Mabus traveled to Manaus to observe a riverine battalion at Naval Station Rio Negro. During his visit he received full military honors, took an aerial tour of the Amazon River Basin in a Brazilian Eurocopter and landed aboard the Brazilian hospital ship Oswald Cruz (U18) for a tour of the ship's facilities.

"This has been a great trip," said Mabus. "The relationships we have with our partners in South America are so important to the security of the United States. I was pleased to be able to go to express our desire to strengthen and expand our common ties."

For more news from Secretary of the Navy, visit www.navy.mil/local/secnav/.