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Sailors and Marines from 20 partner nations attend the official opening ceremony of UNITAS LXIV, at the Colombian Naval Museum, Cartagena, Colombia, July 12, 2023. UNITAS, which is Latin for “unity,” was conceived in 1959 and has taken place annually since first conducted in 1960. This year marks the 64th iteration of the world’s longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise. Additionally, this year the Colombian Navy will celebrate its bicentennial. The exercise focuses on enhancing interoperability amongst the partnered 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. - Sailors and Marines from 20 partner nations attend the official opening ceremony of UNITAS LXIV, at the Colombian Naval Museum, Cartagena, Colombia, July 12, 2023. UNITAS, which is Latin for “unity,” was conceived in 1959 and has taken place annually since first conducted in 1960. This year marks the 64th iteration of the world’s longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise. Additionally, this year the Colombian Navy will celebrate its bicentennial. The exercise focuses on enhancing interoperability amongst the partnered 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.

Lt. Gen. David G. Bellon, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South, and Marine Forces Reserve, right, and Master Sgt. Sergio Macias, theater security cooperation branch chief, left, welcome Brig. Gen. Jorge Federico Torres Mora, commandant of the Colombian Marine Corps, at Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans, Feb. 28, 2023. Torres, and the Colombian delegation, traveled to various locations within the United States to conduct key leadership engagements aimed at advancing institutional knowledge and processes. These engagements are critical elements to maintaining interoperability and to continue to strengthen the partnership between the two marine corps. - Lt. Gen. David G. Bellon, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South, and Marine Forces Reserve, right, and Master Sgt. Sergio Macias, theater security cooperation branch chief, left, welcome Brig. Gen. Jorge Federico Torres Mora, commandant of the Colombian Marine Corps, at Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans, Feb. 28, 2023. Torres, and the Colombian delegation, traveled to various locations within the United States to conduct key leadership engagements aimed at advancing institutional knowledge and processes. These engagements are critical elements to maintaining interoperability and to continue to strengthen the partnership between the two marine corps.

Two Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Landing Craft Air Cushion vessels maneuver past Japanese ship Hyuga during Exercise Dawn Blitz 2015 off the coast of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 3, 2015. Dawn Blitz is a multinational training exercise designed to enhance Expeditionary Strike Group Three and 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade's ability to conduct sea-basing operations, amphibious landings, and command and control capabilities alongside coalition forces. - Two Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Landing Craft Air Cushion vessels maneuver past Japanese ship Hyuga during Exercise Dawn Blitz 2015 off the coast of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 3, 2015. Dawn Blitz is a multinational training exercise designed to enhance Expeditionary Strike Group Three and 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade's ability to conduct sea-basing operations, amphibious landings, and command and control capabilities alongside coalition forces.