196[ UNITAS 2015] Carrier participates in annual exercise during long South American transit back to Norfolk
NOTICIARIONAVAL
Carrier participates in annual exercise during long South American transit back to Norfolk
The U.S. Navy and its Central and South American allies have been conducting the combined UNITAS exercise nearly every year since 1960, but it’s rare that a ship as large as an aircraft carrier participates.
This year, as part of a three-carrier swap, the carrier George Washington participated while circumnavigating South America on its way to Norfolk for a mid-life refueling.
In fact, the George Washington was the last aircraft carrier to participate in UNITAS, in 2008. . At the time, GW was heading in the other direction en route to Japan for a forward deployment. She has operated from Japan for the past seven years.
4th Fleet says that the GW’s participation in the exercise is unique. Along with benefiting the crew and the battle group, as well as Destroyer Squadron and Air Wing staffs and assets, it’s invaluable training for allies, who rarely see a ship of this size and capability.
“This year's UNITAS exercise was unique in that the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group was able to participate which brought an opportunity to engage our partner nation navies at a higher level of interoperability,” said Capt. Ryan Tillotson, the director of the 4th Fleet’s Maritime Operations Center.
UNITAS — which means “unity” in Latin — is conducted each year in two phases, one in the Pacific Ocean and one in the Atlantic.
This year’s Pacific phase was hosted by Chile from Oct. 14-25. Participating nations were Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama and the United States.
This year, along with the GW, the destroyers Chafee and McFaul and the oilers Bighorn and Guadalupe played roles.
Guadalupe supported the Pacific side of the transit, while Bighorn and McFaul supported on the Atlantic side.
The training’s focus was to promote tactical interoperability — the ability for multiple navies to come together and work as one force, according to Rear Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Carrier Strike Group 9.
“Interoperability is not about the size of ships, it’s really about each ship being able to communicate, coordinate, and use its resources to support the mission,” Franchetti said. “Every ship had something to contribute – during the course of the exercise we conducted Maritime ISR, ASW, ASUW, Air Defense, and Maritime Interdiction Operations."
The combined task force was led by a Brazilian admiral, who was hosted onboard GW during the exercise, giving him the benefit of that ship’s command and control capabilities.
“Having the strike group aboard enabled the Brazilian Navy to serve as the Task Force Commander, while CSG-9 supported him as the Task Group Commander, enabling us to better execute duties under the Combined Warfare Commander concept – a key UNITAS training objective,” Franchetti said.
During the exercise, Carrier Air Wing 2 conducted a seven-day bilateral air exercise with the Brazilian Air Force, Franchetti said. It was an opportunity for U.S. aviators to train with dissimilar aircraft — always a welcome opportunity, she said.
“During the exercise we embarked liaison officers from Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Mexico to strengthen our coordination with the participating ships and coordinate the [air exercise] with the Brazilian Air Force,” she said. “Each told me that having the chance to work with the carrier and being part of this exercise was an amazing and unforgettable experience."
Tillotson said that the 2016 iteration will be hosted by Panama this coming September, and the U.S. participation will be at the opposite end of the size spectrum.
“The U.S. will utilize USNS Spearhead as the command and control platform for U.S. participating forces,” he said.