Gunslinger 22

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. The ceremony recognized those who were lost on Sept. 11, 2001, and afforded the service members time to reflect on their service and patriotism. 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)