As part of the Multinational Exercise UNITAS 2025, held in various locations along the U.S. East Coast, Amphibious Commandos and Tactical Divers of the Argentine Navy carried out parachute jumps from U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) MV-22B Osprey aircraft.
The activity took place on September 20, 2025, at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. From an altitude of 10,000 feet, Argentine personnel, together with members of the 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, 4th Marine Division of the United States, the Peruvian Marine Infantry, and the Ecuadorian Marine Corps, conducted manual-opening and free-fall jumps.
UNITAS, whose name derives from the Latin word for “unity,” was conceived in 1959 and has been held annually since 1960. The 2025 edition marks the 66th iteration, making it the world’s longest-running multinational maritime exercise still in operation.
Participation of the Argentine Navy
Following the opening ceremony, the Argentine Navy began a series of scheduled drills. The country is participating with the destroyer ARA La Argentina from the Destroyer Division, personnel from the Marine Infantry, Naval Special Operations Forces, and Naval Aviation, through an embarked AS-555 Fennec helicopter belonging to the 1st Naval Helicopter Squadron.
In the initial formation at Camp Lejeune, marines from the Argentine Marine Infantry Battalion No. 2 “Frigate Captain Pedro Edgardo Giachino” stood out, having already taken part in activities with contingents from other nations. The drills included live-fire exercises at shooting ranges, operations with machine guns and mortars, as well as recreational integration activities. In addition, Argentine naval special operations units conducted live-fire training in coordination with other forces.
Other planned operations
During the course of the multinational exercise, the Argentine Navy will participate in a SINKEX (live-fire exercise against a naval target), an amphibious landing, and combined maneuvers with surface, submarine, and naval air assets. According to reports, Argentina’s presence in UNITAS seeks to strengthen interoperability and readiness while fostering interaction with the different contingents present.
Images sourced from South U.S. Marine Corps Forces.
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