<!--/* //NOSONAR */--><!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<!--/* //NOSONAR */--><html  lang="en-US">
<head id="Head"><meta id="MetaDescription" name="DESCRIPTION" /><meta id="MetaKeywords" name="KEYWORDS" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width,initial-scale=1" /><title>
	62nd UNITAS concludes, successfully conducting a full-spectrum of Maritime, Amphibious, and Jungle Operations
</title><link id="css3605" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/DesktopModules/ArticleCS/module.css" /><link id="css4619" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/desktopmodules/ArticleCS/styles/DOD2/style.css" /></head>
<body>
    <main>
    <div>
    <div class="aprint news">
    <div class="header">
        <img height="100" class="print-logo" alt="Site Logo" src="/Portals/7/Images/SOUTHCOM_logo_thumb.jpg?ver=SIvIeRRofyrg5ZHPpvvh6Q%3d%3d" />

        <h1 class="title">62nd UNITAS concludes, successfully conducting a full-spectrum of Maritime, Amphibious, and Jungle Operations</h1>
    </div>
    
<div id="adetail-slick-gallery" class="gallery">
    
    <div class="item">
        
        <div class="image">
            
            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2021/Sep/29/2002864935/1920/1080/0/210926-M-QY799-1629.JPG"
                 class="aimage img-responsive"
                 alt="U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christian Fletcher, a light armored vehicle crewman with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – UNITAS, and a Peruvian Marine demonstrate a strategy for advancing in a hostile environment during a military operations in urbanized terrain training evolution at the Base de Infanteria de Marina, Peru, Sept. 26, 2021, during exercise UNITAS LXII."
                 itemprop="image" />
        </div>
        
        
        
        
        
        <div class="slide-info-hidden">
            <div class="slide-info-inner">
            
            <div class="image-title">210926-M-QY799-1629</div>
            <div class="image-caption">ANCON, Peru (Sept. 26, 2021) U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christian Fletcher, a light armored vehicle crewman with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – UNITAS, and a Peruvian Marine demonstrate a strategy for advancing in a hostile environment during a military operations in urbanized terrain training evolution at the Base de Infanteria de Marina, Peru, Sept. 26, 2021, during exercise UNITAS LXII. U.S., Brazilian, Chilean, Colombian, Mexican and Peruvian Marines and members of the Jamaican Defense Force completed a series of training events in order to build trust, enhance confidence and strengthen interoperability to better prepare us for a combined, multinational response to emerging crises or natural disasters. UNITAS is the world's longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise that focuses on enhancing interoperability among multiple nations and joint forces during Pacific, amphibious, and amazon operations in order to build on existing regional partnerships and create new enduring relationships that promote peace, stability and prosperity in the U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adaezia Chavez)</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    </div>

    
    <div class="item">
        
        <div class="image">
            
            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2021/Sep/29/2002864936/1920/1080/0/210927-M-QY799-1371.JPG"
                 class="aimage img-responsive"
                 alt="U.S., Brazilian, Chilean, Colombian, Mexican and Peruvian Marines and members of the Jamaican Defense Force utilize a combat rubber raiding craft, at sea, during an amphibious training evolution at the Base de Infanteria de Marina, Peru, Sept. 27, 2021, during exercise UNITAS LXII."
                 itemprop="image" />
        </div>
        
        
        
        
        
        <div class="slide-info-hidden">
            <div class="slide-info-inner">
            
            <div class="image-title">210927-M-QY799-1371</div>
            <div class="image-caption">ANCON, Peru (Sept. 27, 2021) U.S., Brazilian, Chilean, Colombian, Mexican and Peruvian Marines and members of the Jamaican Defense Force utilize a combat rubber raiding craft, at sea, during an amphibious training evolution at the Base de Infanteria de Marina, Peru, Sept. 27, 2021, during exercise UNITAS LXII. The service members completed a series of training events in order to build trust, enhance confidence and strengthen interoperability to better prepare us for a combined, multinational response to emerging crises or natural disasters. UNITAS is the world's longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise that focuses on enhancing interoperability among multiple nations and joint forces during Pacific, amphibious, and amazon operations in order to build on existing regional partnerships and create new enduring relationships that promote peace, stability and prosperity in the U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adaezia Chavez)</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    </div>

    
    <div class="item">
        
        <div class="image">
            
            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2021/Sep/27/2002862147/1920/1080/0/210923-M-LP762-1291.JPG"
                 class="aimage img-responsive"
                 alt="U.S. and Peruvian Marines conduct live fire training."
                 itemprop="image" />
        </div>
        
        
        
        
        
        <div class="slide-info-hidden">
            <div class="slide-info-inner">
            
            <div class="image-title">210923-M-LP762-1291</div>
            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division and Peruvian Marine Commandos shoot a Beretta 92A1 during a live-fire range at Base Naval De Infanteria De Marina in Ancon, Peru, Sept. 23, 2021. The service members exchanged weapon knowledge, techniques and procedures during UNITAS LX II. UNITAS is the world's longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise that focuses on enhancing interoperability among multiple nations and joint forces during Pacific, amphibious, and amazon operations in order to build on existing regional partnerships and create new enduring relationships that promote peace, stability and prosperity in the U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lauren Brune)</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    </div>

    
    <div class="item">
        
        <div class="image">
            
            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2021/Sep/27/2002862146/1920/1080/0/210923-M-LP762-1121.JPG"
                 class="aimage img-responsive"
                 alt="U.S. and Peruvian Marines conduct live fire training."
                 itemprop="image" />
        </div>
        
        
        
        
        
        <div class="slide-info-hidden">
            <div class="slide-info-inner">
            
            <div class="image-title">210923-M-LP762-1121</div>
            <div class="image-caption">A Peruvian Marine briefs U.S. Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division and Peruvian Marine Commandos on weapon safety during a live-fire range at Base Naval De Infanteria De Marina in Ancon, Peru, Sept. 23, 2021. The service members exchanged weapon knowledge, techniques and procedures during UNITAS LX II. UNITAS is the world's longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise that focuses on enhancing interoperability among multiple nations and joint forces during Pacific, amphibious, and amazon operations in order to build on existing regional partnerships and create new enduring relationships that promote peace, stability and prosperity in the U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lauren Brune)</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    </div>

    
    <div class="item">
        
        <div class="image">
            
            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2021/Sep/30/2002864930/1920/1080/0/210928-M-HU099-1103C.JPG"
                 class="aimage img-responsive"
                 alt="U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Christophe J. Stump, an aerial observer with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - UNITAS, fires a GAU-17 minigun during UNITAS LXII in Lima, Peru, Sept. 28, 2021."
                 itemprop="image" />
        </div>
        
        
        
        
        
        <div class="slide-info-hidden">
            <div class="slide-info-inner">
            
            <div class="image-title">210928-M-IC059-1103</div>
            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Christophe J. Stump, an aerial observer with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - UNITAS, fires a GAU-17 minigun during UNITAS LXII in Lima, Peru, Sept. 28, 2021. UNITAS is the world's longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise that focuses on enhancing interoperability among multiple nations and joint forces during Pacific, amphibious, and amazon operations in order to build on existing regional partnerships and create new enduring relationships that promote peace, stability and prosperity in the U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elias E. Pimentel III)</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    </div>

    
    <div class="item">
        
        <div class="image">
            
            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2021/Oct/05/2002868480/1920/1080/0/211002-M-IC059-1161R.JPG"
                 class="aimage img-responsive"
                 alt="U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - UNITAS operate a UH-1Y Venom helicopter during an amphibious landing as part of UNITAS LXII in Salinas, Peru, Oct. 2, 2021."
                 itemprop="image" />
        </div>
        
        
        
        
        
        <div class="slide-info-hidden">
            <div class="slide-info-inner">
            
            <div class="image-title">UNITAS LXII</div>
            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - UNITAS operate a UH-1Y Venom helicopter during an amphibious landing as part of UNITAS LXII in Salinas, Peru, Oct. 2, 2021. UNITAS is the world's longest-running maritime exercise. Hosted this year by Peru, it brings together multinational forces from twenty countries and includes 29 ships, four submarines, and twenty aircraft conducting operations off the coast of Lima and in the jungles of Iquitos. The exercise trains forces to conduct joint maritime operations and focuses on strengthening partnerships and increasing interoperability and capability between participating naval and marine forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elias E. Pimentel III)</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    </div>

    
    <div class="item">
        
        <div class="image">
            
            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2021/Oct/04/2002872126/1920/1080/0/211002-N-RL853-0250.JPG"
                 class="aimage img-responsive"
                 alt="Multi-national forces land on the beach during the amphibious assault at Las Salinas Beach, during UNITAS LXII."
                 itemprop="image" />
        </div>
        
        
        
        
        
        <div class="slide-info-hidden">
            <div class="slide-info-inner">
            
            <div class="image-title">211002-N-RL853-0250</div>
            <div class="image-caption">HUACHO, Peru (Oct. 2, 2021) Multi-national forces land on the beach during the amphibious assault at Las Salinas Beach, during UNITAS LXII, Oct. 2, 2021. UNITAS is the world's longest-running maritime exercise. Hosted this year by Peru, it brings together multinational forces from 20 countries and includes 32 ships, four submarines, and 26 aircraft conducting operations off the coast of Lima and in the jungles of Iquitos. The exercise trains forces to conduct joint maritime operations and focuses on strengthening partnerships and increasing interoperability and capability between participating naval and marine forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Mitch Meppelink)</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    </div>

    
    <div class="item">
        
        <div class="image">
            
            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2021/Oct/04/2002872125/1920/1080/0/211002-N-RL853-0226.JPG"
                 class="aimage img-responsive"
                 alt="Peruvian marine amphibious assault vehicles land on Las Salinas Beach as part of the amphibious assault during UNITAS LXII."
                 itemprop="image" />
        </div>
        
        
        
        
        
        <div class="slide-info-hidden">
            <div class="slide-info-inner">
            
            <div class="image-title">211002-N-RL853-0226</div>
            <div class="image-caption">HUACHO, Peru (Oct. 2, 2021) Peruvian marine amphibious assault vehicles land on Las Salinas Beach as part of the amphibious assault during UNITAS LXII, Oct. 2, 2021. UNITAS is the world's longest-running maritime exercise. Hosted this year by Peru, it brings together multinational forces from 20 countries and includes 32 ships, four submarines, and 26 aircraft conducting operations off the coast of Lima and in the jungles of Iquitos. The exercise trains forces to conduct joint maritime operations and focuses on strengthening partnerships and increasing interoperability and capability between participating naval and marine forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Mitch Meppelink)</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    </div>

    
    <div class="item">
        
        <div class="image">
            
            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2021/Sep/30/2002864929/1920/1080/0/210928-N-VF045-1615.JPG"
                 class="aimage img-responsive"
                 alt="The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) conducts tactical maneuvers and naval formations during a training exercise as part of UNITAS LXII."
                 itemprop="image" />
        </div>
        
        
        
        
        
        <div class="slide-info-hidden">
            <div class="slide-info-inner">
            
            <div class="image-title">210928-N-VF045-1615</div>
            <div class="image-caption">PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 28, 2021) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) conducts tactical maneuvers and naval formations during a training exercise as part of UNITAS LXII. UNITAS is the world's longest-running maritime exercise. Hosted this year by Peru, it brings together multinational forces from 20 countries and includes 32 ships, four submarines, and 26 aircraft conducting operations off the coast of Lima and in the jungles of Iquitos. The exercise trains forces to conduct joint maritime operations and focuses on strengthening partnerships and increasing interoperability and capability between participating naval and marine forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James S. Hong)</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    </div>

    
</div>
<div class="slide-info"></div>





    <div><b>By Lt. Laura Price, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. 4th Fleet</b> <span class="date">/ Published Oct. 7, 2021</span></div>
    <span class="dateline-text"></span>
    <p>LIMA, Peru – UNITAS LXII (62), the world’s longest-running multinational maritime exercise concluded with a closing ceremony in Lima, Peru, Oct. 6.</p>

<p>This year's exercise was hosted by the Peruvian navy and included 32 warships/vessels, four submarines, and 26 aircraft that conducted scenario-driven joint and combined operations and training off the coast of Lima and in the jungles of Iquitos.</p>

<p>Navy and marine forces from Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Spain, South Korea, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and the United States participated in the exercise.</p>

<p>“During UNITAS we operated as a unified force. Well done. Thank you to the nations, who made significant investments in your sailors, marines, airmen, ships and all other assets of this exercise,” said Rear Admiral Jim Aiken, commander U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet. “Congratulations to Peru on 200 years of excellence in the maritime domain on the sea and on the land. Thank you for hosting this amazing exercise.”</p>

<p>The exercise progressed in phases, beginning in port with sporting events, an international cuisine festival, and community relations projects to build relations between partner nations.</p>

<p>The at-sea phase included a multi-threat, multi-day scenario that allowed participants to work together, further increasing preparedness for real-world crises that would require a multinational force response effort. Events included: surface tactical maneuvers, a sinking exercise (SINKEX), live-fire exercises, a replenishment-at-sea, search and rescue exercises, anti-submarine warfare exercises, air defense exercises and maritime interdiction operations.</p>

<p>The amphibious phase included U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - UNITAS training alongside partner nation counterparts from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Jamaica, and Peru at the Peruvian Marine Corps Base in Ancon, Peru. Training events included tactical combat casualty care, repelling and fast-rope training, HADR, small boat training, urban clearing, and small arms live-fire ranges. It culminated in a large-scale, multinational amphibious landing at Las Salinas Beach.</p>

<p>Lastly, the Amazon/jungle phase included special operations and reconnaissance forces that conducted training in jungle survival, small arms, river navigation, small boat and riverine operations, and combat patrolling from Peru’s riverine training center near Iquitos.</p>

<p>The exercise coincides with Peru’s bicentennial, a historical milestone commemorating 200 years of the country’s independence and the birth of their navy.</p>

<p>Participating U.S. forces in UNITAS LXII included the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89), the amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26), the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Columbia (SSN 771), the “Scorpions” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49, the “Golden Eagles” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 9, Special Boat Team (SBT) 22, Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2, U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area Tactical Law Enforcement Team (TACLET), Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 40, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 7, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (LAR), 2d Transportation Support Battalion, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 269, 2d Force Reconnaissance Company, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South (MARFORSOUTH), and U.S. 4th Fleet.</p>

<p>UNITAS is designed to train forces to conduct joint maritime operations through the execution of littoral warfare, anti-piracy, maritime interdiction operations, countering transnational organized crime, anti-surface warfare, electronic warfare, communications exercises, and air and amphibious operations that increase interoperability and capability between participating navy and marine forces.</p>

<p>UNITAS, which is Latin for “unity,” was conceived in 1959, first executed in 1960 and held every year since. This year marks the 62nd iteration of the world’s longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise.</p>

<p>UNITAS develops and sustains relationships that improve the capacity of our reemerging and enduring maritime partners to achieve common objectives. Additionally, the military-to-military exchanges foster friendly, mutual cooperation and understanding between participating navies and marine corps.</p>

<p>U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command’s joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region.</p>
<br />
</div>

    </div>
    </main>
</body>
</html>