Norfolk, Virginia – On October 6, at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, and aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, the closing ceremony of the Multinational Exercise UNITAS LXVI took place. The event was attended by delegations from all the nations that participated in the combined naval activities, which took place across various locations along the U.S. East Coast. The ceremony was presided over by Rear Admiral Carlos Sardiello, Commander of the U.S. Fourth Fleet.
Following the conclusion of the official ceremony, and during a press conference, Zona Militar was able to learn more about the senior officer’s perspective and the significance that the UNITAS Multinational Exercise holds for the U.S. Armed Forces in general, and for the U.S. Navy in particular. Below are excerpts from the press conference and questions addressed to the Commander of the U.S. Fourth Fleet.
The celebration of this operation you’ve been working on for a month has just concluded. Could you tell us what it’s been like to participate in it?
“It has been a pleasure and an honor to take part in the 66th edition of UNITAS, the longest-running multinational maritime exercise in the world. A total of 8,000 sailors, 23 nations, 24 ships, 2 submarines, and a large number of high-level maritime operations and innovations took part, as well as joint training among allies.”
Why is this exercise so important for the U.S. Navy?
“Because we cannot do it alone. We operate alongside our allies and partners to ensure maritime domain security—both in the Western Hemisphere and around the world. By sharing doctrine, training, and trust, we strengthen our collective ability to respond to maritime crises in the future.”
And in what way does this benefit the other participating nations?
“These forces work with us on a regular basis, but UNITAS is a large-scale combined effort that brings everyone together. This year, UNITAS 2025, has been particularly special as it coincides with our 80th anniversary and the 250th anniversary of our respective institutional celebrations. By conducting the exercise here, on the Pacific Coast, we can showcase our new capabilities, technologies, and the ways we cooperate with our partners, helping them also strengthen their readiness for future threats.”
Could you talk a bit more about the situation of the participating nations? Many of them face different kinds of conflicts.
“Rather than talking about nations in conflict, I would say these are countries engaged in operations. The nature of conflicts is changing, and we are applying lessons from new technologies to rapidly develop forces that complement conventional maritime capabilities—integrating remote and autonomous systems.”
How do these systems change the way you operate?
“It’s not just about the systems themselves, but about the data and how we process it to accelerate decision-making. The key is to stay inside the adversary’s reaction cycle. For example, during this exercise, 19 remote and autonomous systems were employed—something that had never been done before on a global scale. We included automatic target recognition, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to streamline operations and execute autonomous effects chains, increasing lethality while reducing costs. Many routine tasks can now be performed by autonomous systems, allowing us to stay one step ahead.”
What was your role this year? Had you participated in UNITAS before?
“Yes, this is my second time participating. Before UNITAS 2025, I was involved in multidimensional exercises in the Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, and with NATO. Seeing this experience now replicated in Latin America, alongside partners from around the world, shows that the world is becoming smaller and that alliances are more important than ever. I am very grateful for this opportunity.”
How would you define, in a few words, the importance of the UNITAS Multinational Exercise?
“UNITAS is important because we face common threats, and only by working together can we improve the security of our nations and our people—today and in the future.”
Could Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force serve as an example of this type of partnership in the Pacific region?
“Absolutely. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has been a reliable partner in the Asia-Pacific region, and we appreciate their collaboration and participation in this exercise. We live in a globalized world, and their cooperation has been essential. I have had the opportunity to operate with them on several occasions in Asia, and I always emphasize their professionalism and cooperative spirit. Thank you to everyone for the joint training and for your support anywhere in the world.”
What was the most challenging part of this exercise?
“Without a doubt, integrating so many robotic and autonomous systems. Directing a robot to be in the right place at the right time presents major challenges, especially due to its low signature and the need to coordinate multiple platforms simultaneously. We learned a lot from this experience—we had several successes but also lessons that we’ll apply in the future to improve the operation of these hybrid platforms.”
There were many young people and women participating aboard the ships from different nations. Why do you consider this experience important for them?
“Because it allows them to meet their peers and allies in a real environment of cooperation. UNITAS is not only about operating together, but also about sharing experiences and building personal connections. These young people will return not only with greater professional experience but also with a new perspective on the world and an international network of trust. In the end, that’s what strengthens our collective ability to solve global challenges.”
