U.S. Navy landing craft arrives in Brazil to take part in world's longest-running maritime exercise
Aug 19, 2019
Two U.S. Navy landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) with heavy equipment arrived on the Brazilian Marine Corps Base of Ilha do Governador to be used for UNITAS LX, the longest-running multinational maritime exercise, organized by the United States since 1959.
In addition to the United States and Brazil, Argentina and Peru will contribute ships and aircraft. Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, and the United Kingdom will send personnel to participate, and Japan and Portugal will observe, totaling 13 nations, 14 ships, one submarine, eight helicopters, and five aircraft. The USS CARTER HALL left Norfolk, Virginia, on August 4 with approximately 350 U.S. sailors and marines on board, en route to Rio de Janeiro to participate in the exercise.
This year, in addition to the sea operation, there will be an amphibious phase, which will simulate coordinated humanitarian assistance delivery to Marambaia Island. For the first time, this year’s exercise will focus on facilitating humanitarian assistance and disaster relief through regional maritime cooperation.
The exercise focuses on strengthening the existing regional partnerships and encourages establishing new relationships through the exchange of maritime mission-focused knowledge and expertise during multinational training operations.
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