MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, March 28th 2024 - 13:34 UTC

 

 

US Navy Carrier Strike Group 9 anchored off Punta Arenas for Unitas exercises

Monday, November 2nd 2015 - 08:07 UTC
Full article 18 comments
USS George Washington and Carrier Strike Group 9 will be in Latin American waters through December for UNITAS 2015 USS George Washington and Carrier Strike Group 9 will be in Latin American waters through December for UNITAS 2015
The first UNITAS phase involved: U.S., Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, South Africa and Australia The first UNITAS phase involved: U.S., Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, South Africa and Australia
Rear Admiral, Lisa Franchetti - The second phase in the Atlantic, hosted by Brazil includes nine countries: U.S., Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Peru and Senegal. Rear Admiral, Lisa Franchetti - The second phase in the Atlantic, hosted by Brazil includes nine countries: U.S., Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Peru and Senegal.

The United States Carrier Strike Group 9 which is participating in a series of 'Unitas' exercises with different Latin American and Pacific countries, anchored off Punta Arenas and is scheduled to leave on Monday for Rio do Janeiro, Brazil, according to reports from the extreme south Chilean city port.

 It includes the nuclear carrier “George Washington”, the guided missile destroyer “Chafee”, a Coast Guard cutter “Bertlholf” and the support vessle TAO “Guadalupe”.

According to the report the Battle Group 9 of the US Navy is under the command of Rear Admiral, Lisa Franchetti.

While sailing along the Chilean coast the Carrier Strike Group 9 was escorted by the Chilean frigate “Almirante Riveros”. While in Punta Arenas the command of the Strike Group 9 completed formality visits to different civilian and military officials in the city.

Chilean sources reported that onboard the carrier travelled the Ray Mabus, US Navy Secretary, who took a flight from Punta Arenas back to the US.

According to the US Navy, the USS George Washington and Carrier Strike Group 9 will be in Latin American waters through December for UNITAS 2015, the Navy’s longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise.

The first phase of UNITAS, hosted by Chile, involved 11 nations: the U.S., Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, South Africa and Australia, a Navy statement said.

The second phase, to be hosted by Brazil in November, will take place in the Atlantic with nine participating countries: the U.S., Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Peru and Senegal.

“The purpose of the annual UNITAS exercise is to develop and sustain relationships that improve the capacity of both U.S. forces and partner nation maritime forces,” Rear Adm. George Ballance, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, said in the statement. “Carrier Strike Group 9 and USS George Washington’s participation in this year’s exercise makes it one of the largest UNITAS exercises in recent memory.”

Top Comments

Disclaimer & comment rules
  • Englander

    Thought Argentina would have been involved during the 2nd phase of this important exercise.

    Nov 02nd, 2015 - 09:05 am 0
  • Britworker

    The second largest economy in Latin America is quite conspicuous by their absence, oh wait that is Mexico now isn't it and they were taking part.

    So, the third largest economy in Latin America.......oh wait, that is Colombia now isn't it and they were participating too.

    Argentina does at least feature prominently in the US courts.

    Nov 02nd, 2015 - 09:30 am 0
  • golfcronie

    Argentina doesn't have any seaworthy vessels do they? And no money for fuel.

    Nov 02nd, 2015 - 09:34 am 0
Read all comments

Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!