241218-N-DM308-1001 MAYPORT, Fl. (Dec 18, 2024) – Depicted is the U.S. Navy’s UNITAS 2025 logo. This year’s UNITAS, set for September, is the longest-running, multinational maritime exercise in the world. UNITAS 2025 will combine the efforts of Allies and Partners from across the globe and serve as the warfighting introduction to Navy 250 – the U.S. Navy’s year-long birthday celebration. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet is the maritime component of U.S. Southern Command and the trusted maritime partner for Caribbean, Central and South America maritime forces leading to improved unity, security, and stability. (U.S. Navy graphic by Ens. Paul Archer)

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250212-N-OC941-2238 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (February 12, 2025) - U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet Commander Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, center, poses with the combined/joint planning team for a group photo at the UNITAS 2025 Initial Planning Conference in Jacksonville, Fla., February 12. This year's UNITAS, the longest-running multinational maritime exercise in the world, will combine the efforts of Allies and Partners from across the globe and serve as the introduction to Navy 250 - the U.S. Navy's year-long birthday celebration. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet is the maritime component of U.S. Southern Command and the trusted maritime partner for Caribbean, Central, and South American maritime forces leading to improved unity, security, and stability. (U.S. Navy photo illustration by Chief Mass Communication Specialist John Fischer/Released)

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Navy and Marine planners from more than 20 countries gathered during the UNITAS 2025 Final Planning Conference in Jacksonville, Fla. The conference brought together representatives from the U.S. and partner nations to finalize plans for UNITAS 2025, the 66th iteration of the world’s longest-running multinational maritime exercise. (U.S. Navy photo illustration by Chief Mass Communication Specialist John Fischer/Released)

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The U.S. Navy will host this year's UNITAS featuring approximately 8,000 personnel from 25 allied and partner nations, including multiple ships, submarines, and aircraft (fixed wing and rotary). Forces will conduct operations off the East Coast of the United States and ashore in the vicinity of Naval Station Mayport, Fla., Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., and Naval Station Norfolk, Va. through October 6.
 
UNITAS, which is Latin for unity, united, or oneness, was conceived in 1959 when representatives at the first Inter-American Naval Conference in Panama agreed to conduct an annual maritime exercise with one another. The first UNITAS took place in 1960 with forces from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, the United States, and Venezuela. This year marks the 66th iteration of the world’s longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise.
 
Including the United States, UNITAS 2025 will bring together 26 nations from all over the world to train forces in joint maritime operations that enhance tactical proficiency and increase interoperability. Participating nations include Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Jamaica, Japan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Singapore, Spain, and the United States
 
“In line with the Secretary’s guidance, and to bolster defense of the homeland and build on over six decades of success, UNITAS 2025 is a vital opportunity to demonstrate how our partners in the region work together to defend against hemispheric threats,” said Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet and commander, Task Force 138. “By bringing together 25 nations, we're not just enhancing tactical proficiency and interoperability, we are demonstrating a prime example of regional burden-sharing; we're reinforcing trust and unity crucial for ensuring we stand side by side against hemispheric threats.”

Following the UNITAS 2025 Opening Ceremony on September 15, the in-port phase of the exercise will feature subject matter expert exchanges, professional symposiums, ship rider exchanges, and operations meetings. During this time, Marines and Sailors will conduct training events in Mayport to include medical, cyber defense, and diving and salvage operations.
 
During the UNITAS 2025 Underway Phase, forces will participate in events testing all warfare operations, to include live-fire exercises such as a SINKEX, an amphibious ship-to-shore landing and force withdrawal in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
 
Additionally, unmanned and hybrid fleet systems will return to UNITAS for a second year as part of the testing and development of the U.S. Navy’s future hybrid fleet.
 
U.S. forces participating in UNITAS 2025 include the U.S. Navy’s Carrier Strike Group 2, Carrier Strike Group 4, Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11, Destroyer Squadron 40, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 6, Expeditionary Strike Group 2, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 48, SEAL Team 8, Special Boat Team 20, Theater Support Vessel 1 Prevail, Theater Support Vessel 4 Narragansett, Theater Support Vessel 5 Vindicator, USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO-195), USS Arlington (LPD 24), USS Cooperstown (LCS 23), USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75), USS Oregon (SSN 793), USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), and Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 20. Marine Corps forces include the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing; 2nd Marine Division; 2nd Marine Logistics Group, including Combat Logistics Battalion 22; the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Command Element; 4th Marine Division; B Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion; Force Headquarters Group Augments; Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269; II Marine Expeditionary Force; II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group; K Company (-), 3rd Battalion 23rd Marine Regiment; Littoral Craft Company D, 4th Amphibian Assault Battalion; Marine Air Control Group 28; Marine Forces Reserve; Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251; Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542; and Marine Wing Communications Squadron 48. The U.S. Coast Guard is represented by the Tactical Law Enforcement Team and a U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team. U.S. Air Force units involved include Air Force Special Operations Command and the 107th Fighter Squadron. Exercises like UNITAS play a critical role in enhancing the combat readiness of U.S. service members, as well as those of our Allies and partners, by providing a platform for joint training and cooperation in complex maritime environments.
 
Following the successful completion of UNITAS 2025, senior leaders from participating countries will join in a series of high-profile events along the East Coast, celebrating a historic milestone: the United States Navy 250^th birthday. This commemoration honors a legacy of protecting American interests, deterring aggression, and promoting prosperity and security, while also showcasing the Navy's enduring commitment to defending the American way of life.
 
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet is the trusted maritime partner for Caribbean, Central and South America maritime forces leading to improved unity, security and stability.

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