Readiness

Rear Adm. Jim Aiken, commander of U.S. Naval Southern Forces Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, addresses a formation of Marines and Sailors aboard the USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony while afloat during exercise UNITAS LXIII off the coast of Brazil, Sept. 11, 2022. Rear Adm. Aiken discussed the resiliency of the American fighting spirit and the dedication of service members to their fellow service members, partners, and allies. The remembrance ceremony occurred amongst the 63rd iteration of exercise UNITAS. UNITAS is the world’s longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise that focuses on enhancing interoperability among multiple nations and joint forces during littoral and amphibious operations in order to build on existing regional partnerships and create new enduring relationships that promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Maj. Jeremy Wheeler)