THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 15, 1995 TAG: 9507150335
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JACK DORSEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
Six Navy ships, along with naval vessels from Venezuela, Colombia, the Netherlands and France, this week began the annual UNITAS exercise that circumnavigates South America while offering joint training to allied navies.
``This is a wonderful opportunity for our sailors and for the navies of our South American friends to build their maritime skills together,'' said Adm. William J. Flanagan Jr., commander-in-chief of the Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk. ``These exercises enhance the important bonds between ournations.''
Each year since 1959, the UNITAS operation conducts combined tactical at-sea exercises, amphibious operations and in-port maneuvers in support of U.S. policy in South America. It is an opportunity to improve the operational readiness of U.S. and South American naval, coast guard, marine corps and air forces, Flanagan said.
Flanagan earlier announced the formation of the Western Hemisphere Group, which specifically assigns ships to operations in the Caribbean.
``We share not only the hemisphere but also the hopes and dreams for the future of our neighbors in South America,'' he said. ``It is only natural that we bring more focus to UNITAS. That is one of the reasons why we formed the Western Hemisphere Group.''
Following the Caribbean exercises, five of the six assigned ships will circumnavigate South America and exercise with the navies of Peru, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil as well.
Rear Adm. Martin J. Mayer, commander of the U.S. South Atlantic Force, will command this year's task force.
American ships participating this year are the destroyer Comte de Grasse, from Norfolk, the flagship for the maneuvers; the frigate Fahrion, from Mayport, Fla.; the frigate Copeland, from San Diego; the submarine Trepang, from New London, Conn.; and the dock landing ship Ashland, from Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base.
Coast Guard Squadron 42, led by Capt. Jonathan M. Vaughn, also will deploy aboard the frigate Copeland.
Joining the task group for the first phase of the exercise will be the oiler Kalamazoo, from Norfolk, and the Coast Guard cutter Bear, from Portsmouth. by CNB