Following the formal start of UNITAS 2025 a week ago, and with the launch of the first stage of the sea phase, 18 ships, two submarines, and the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman recently took part in the PHOTOEX exercise. As seen in the released images, the impressive naval formation included nearly all the naval units deployed by the participating countries, as well as aerial and submarine assets.
It is worth recalling that on September 18, the ships participating in UNITAS 2025 began to set sail from Naval Station Mayport, maneuvers that marked the beginning of the Work-Up phase. This stage gradually introduces all the exercises, starting from the simplest —forming up, testing systems, familiarization with submarines. Later, antisubmarine, anti-air, live-fire, and other events will follow.
The ship formation was led by the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), which departed Naval Station Norfolk on September 19. The PHOTOEX included the participation of the following countries:
- German Navy: Type 702 Berlin-class replenishment ship Berlin (A1411)
- Argentine Navy: MEKO 360-class destroyer ARA La Argentina (D-11)
- Brazilian Navy: Niteroi-class frigate Independencia (F-33)
- Royal Canadian Navy: Halifax-class frigate HMCS Charlottetown (FFH-339)
- Chilean Navy: Type 23/Duke-class frigate Almirante Cochrane (FF-05)
- Colombian Navy: FS-1500-class frigate ARC Almirante Padilla (FM-51)
- Ecuadorian Navy: Esmeraldas-class corvette BAE Manabi (CM-12); tugboat BAE Imbabura (RA-72)
- Spanish Navy: Galicia-class amphibious assault ship Galicia (L-51); Oliver Hazard Perry/Santa María-class frigate Canarias (F-86); Álvaro de Bazán/F-100-class frigate Juan de Borbón (F-102)
- United States Navy: Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75); Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116); San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Arlington (LPD-24); Virginia-class Block IV attack submarine USS Oregon (SSN-793); an unidentified Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship
- Mexican Navy: Newport-class tank landing ship ARM Río Papaloapan (A-411); Oaxaca-class patrol vessel ARM Oaxaca (PO-161)
- Panama National Aeronaval Service: Damen Stan Lander 5612-class multipurpose ship Presidente Manuel Amador Guerrero (L-403)
- Peruvian Navy: Lupo-class frigate B.A.P. Aguirre (FM-55); Type 209/1200-class submarine B.A.P. Pisagua (SS-33)
Some highlights from the images released by the U.S. Navy include the presence of a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, as well as the submarines USS Oregon and B.A.P. Pisagua, both taking part in the three days of activity during the Work-Up phase and later in the Scenario Phase.
UNITAS 2025 marks several milestones, as it is not only the 66th edition of the most important multinational exercise in the region but also coincides with the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy.
For UNITAS 2025, 25 countries have deployed personnel and naval/air assets, including: Germany, Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Spain, United States, France, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and the Dominican Republic.
Cover image: U.S. Navy – Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mike Shen
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