Combat Camera: Images from UNITAS Gold

ATLANTIC OCEAN (APRIL 29, 2009) A 2.75 inch rocket launched from a helicopter strikes the signal tower of the ex-USS Connolly (DD979) during the sinking exercise portion of UNITAS Gold. This year marks the 50th iteration of UNITAS, a multinational exercise that provides opportunities for participating nations to increase their collective ability counter illicit maritime activities that threaten regional stability. Participating countries are Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico, Peru, U.S. and Uruguay. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Dawn C. Montgomery.)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 29, 2009) The guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) fires at the ex-USS Connolly (DD-979) during the UNITAS Gold sinking exercise. Participating ships and aircraft from Canada, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Mexico and the United States fired a variety of weapons at Connolly during the exercise. UNITAS Gold is the 50th iteration of the annual multi-national maritime exercise, which provides the opportunity to conduct and integrate joint and combined land, maritime, coast guard and air operations in a realistic training environment. The exercise is taking place April 20-May 5 off the coast of Florida. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alan Gragg.)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 29, 2009) A Mexican BO-105 Bolkow helicopter fires 2.75 inch high-explosive rockets at the ex-USS Connolly (DD 979) during the sinking exercise portion of UNITAS Gold. This year marks the 50th iteration of UNITAS, a multinational exercise that provides opportunities for participating nations to increase their collective ability counter illicit maritime activities that threaten regional stability. Participating countries are Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico, Peru, U.S. and Uruguay. (U.S. Navy Photo by LT Chris Brown.)

MAYPORT BEACH, Fla. (April 25, 2009) Marines deploy on Mayport Beach from an amphibious assault vehicle assigned to the 4th Platoon, Charlie Company, 2d Assault Amphibian Battalion. Maritime forces from Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico, Peru, U.S., and Uruguay are participating in UNITAS Gold, which provides the opportunity to conduct and integrate joint and combined land, maritime, coast guard and air operations in a realistic training environment. The exercise is taking place April 20-May 5 off the coast of Florida. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by CWO2 Keith A. Stevenson.)

MAYPORT BEACH, Fla. (April 25, 2009) Amphibious assault vehicles assigned to the 4th Platoon, Charlie Company, 2d Assault Amphibian Battalion, approach Mayport Beach to disembark Marines and equipment during a Unitas Gold amphibious assault exercise. Maritime forces from Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico, Peru, U.S., and Uruguay are participating in UNITAS Gold, which provides the opportunity to conduct and integrate joint and combined land, maritime, coast guard and air operations in a realistic training environment. The exercise is taking place April 20-May 5 off the coast of Florida. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by CWO2 Keith A. Stevenson.)

MAYPORT BEACH, Fla. (April 25, 2009) A landing craft air cushion (LCAC) speeds toward Mayport Beach to disembark Marines and equipment during a Unitas Gold amphibious assault exercise. Maritime forces from Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico, Peru, U.S., and Uruguay are participating in UNITAS Gold, which provides the opportunity to conduct and integrate joint and combined land, maritime, coast guard and air operations in a realistic training environment. The exercise is taking place April 20-May 5 off the coast of Florida. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by CWO2 Keith A. Stevenson.)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 23, 2009) Ships from eleven countries sail in formation during UNITAS Gold, the 50th iteration of the annual multinational exercise. Maritime forces from Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico, Peru, the United States, and Uruguay are participating in UNITAS Gold, which provides the opportunity to conduct and integrate joint and combined land, maritime, coast guard and air operations in a realistic training environment. The exercise is taking place April 20-May 5 in Jacksonville, Fla. and off the Florida coast. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alan Gragg.)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 24, 2009) Landing craft, air cushion from Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4 prepare to dock inside the amphibious dock transport ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19). Both ACU 4 and the Mesa Verde are participating in the 50th iteration of UNITAS Gold, a two-week multinational exercise meant to foster cooperation and increase interoperability among participating navies. The exercise involves Brazil, U.S., Peru, Mexico, Germany, Canada, Ecuador, Argentina and Chile. The two-week exercise includes realistic scenario-driven training opportunities such as live-fire exercises, shipboard operations, maritime interdiction operations and special warfare. (U.S. Navy photo by Dawn C. Montgomery.)

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