U.S. Marines launch UNITAS LXV in Chile with 24 Nations

U.S. Marine Corps forces joined with 24 other nations to commence UNITAS LXV, the 65th iteration of the world's longest-running multinational maritime exercise here on Sept. 2, 2024.

UNITAS is an annual exercise conducted in either the Atlantic or Pacific waters around Central America and South America. UNITAS brings like-minded Allies and partners from around the world to strengthen relationships, enhance interoperability and facilitate collective defense and global security.

"UNITAS is a testament to our shared commitment to maritime security with our partners and allies." said Brig. Gen. Omar J. Randall, Deputy Commander for U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve.

Randall serves as the deputy littoral warfare commander for this year's UNITAS. The littoral warfare command (LWC) is a multinational task group comprised of U.S. and partner nation Marine Corps and naval infantries from 12 countries. For UNITAS the LWC arrayed its forces across expeditionary advanced bases to support the combined maritime task force commander. The LWC is based on the U.S. Marine Corps' Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) concept and U.S. Navy's composite warfare commander construct and was adapted for UNITAS. This is also the first time this form of expeditionary warfare is being employed in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.

"In addition to experimenting with EABO (command and control) in a multinational construct, we are working alongside our partner marines to refine those skills that make us uniquely suited to operate in the littorals and respond to crisis from the sea." said Randall. "Moreover, exercising those skills in UNITAS showcases why Marines remain an indispensable part of the naval expeditionary force."

The U.S. and partner nation marine corps will conduct a range of operations from their EABs to include combined live-fire drills to increase interoperability, light armored vehicle operations, aviation operations, reconnaissance operations and amphibious raids.

This year includes the exercise of EABOs, a form of expeditionary warfare that involves the employment of mobile, low-signature, persistent and relatively easy to maintain and sustain naval expeditionary forces from a series of austere, temporary locations ashore in order to conduct sea denial, support sea control or enable fleet sustainment.

The nations contributing marine and naval infantry forces to UNITAS LXV include Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, the United States and Uruguay.

Hosted by the Chilean navy this year, UNITAS LXV will bring together approximately 4,300 personnel, 19 surface warships, two submarines and 23 aircraft. The forces will comprise a combined task force, Multinational Force UNITAS.

U.S. Marine Corps forces participating include 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment; 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment; 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion; 4th Reconnaissance Battalion; Combat Logistic Regiments 4; 2nd Battalion, 14th Marines; Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234; Marine Wing Communications Squadron 48; Marine Aircraft Control Group - 48; and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112.

UNITAS LXV promotes a secure and unified maritime environment, underscoring the enduring promise of partnership and cooperation across the Western Hemisphere. UNITAS, which means "unity" in Latin, is a demonstration of the U.S.'s commitment to the region and strong partnerships.

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South is the U.S. Marine Corps component of U.S. Southern Command, responsible for building and maintaining relationships with allies and partner nations in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. The command builds capabilities and capacity with like-minded democratic nations through a range of military engagements and other security cooperation events to demonstrate the value and utility of the Navy and Marine Corps team through joint and mutually supporting operations and engagements. Cultivated partnerships across the region promote the rule of law, which is essential for security, stability, economic prosperity, and personal liberty. Additionally, strong partnerships, shared knowledge, and joint and multinational interoperability enables burden sharing and crisis response while strengthening common defense, fostering stability, and defeating threats.

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WHO WE ARE: Marine Forces South is the U.S. Marine Corps component of U.S. Southern Command, responsible for building partnerships to counter threats and increase interoperability in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. We build capabilities, capacity and readiness with key partner nations through a range of military engagements and other security cooperation events to demonstrate the value and utility of the Navy and Marine Corps team. We cultivate partnerships across the region to promote the rule of law, which is essential for security, stability, economic prosperity, and personal liberty.

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