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.

Coast Guardsman Train aboard Boone

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

USS BOONE, At Sea (NNS) -- Three U.S. Coast Guardsmen from USCGC Escanaba (WMEC 907) embarked guided-missile frigate USS Boone (FFG 28) April 9, to experience first-hand how the Navy operates in a joint service environment.

Boone and Escanaba will join guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43) and guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) for UNITAS Atlantic phase (LANT) in South America. UNITAS LANT is a joint exercise involving navies from Brazil, the United States, Argentina, and Mexico.

Days before the exercise kicked off, Escanaba and Boone used the time for information exchanges, training and familiarization.

"This is our first time exclusively working with the U.S. Navy," said Ensign Alicia Flanagan, Escanaba combat information center officer and communications officer. "We have a lot of the same equipment and a lot of the same standards and procedures. I'm actually quite surprised at how similar the two services are. It's been an easy integration."

During UNITAS, forces will participate in a series of theater security cooperation events, including military-to-military cooperation, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, combined exchanges, exercises and operations, and maritime security.

"I think we have a lot to benefit from each other, especially now, with the Coast Guard expanding its missions and the locations we are working," said Flanagan. "I know the Navy is heavily involved in anti-drug trafficking and that's also one of our primary missions, but we bring the law enforcement capability. It's important that we're able to work together."

Aside from the larger interoperability scenarios and exercise planning, much of the information came down to simple hands-on experience with the smaller issues. The Coast Guardsmen learned how to tie down a Navy helicopter on a Coast Guard cutter, travel as part of a battle group and basic Navy combat watch stations.

"It's always good to get a perspective from how different U.S. services operate," said U.S. Coast Guardsman Operations Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Fojtik. "You understand the capabilities and limitations of the other ships, for example, how often can they set flight quarters? They might not be able to support the same things we can."

The Coast Guardsmen spent four days aboard, standing the regular watch rotation in the combat information center (CIC) and on the bridge.

"I had a great experience cross-training with the Navy," said U.S. Coast Guardsman Operations Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Goodson. "Understanding what the other ships that we're steaming with are doing is definitely a great experience. I found it very beneficial and would recommend it to other Coast Guardsmen."

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.