FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                          Santo Domingo, 11 Aug. 2002 (5)

U.S. NAVY AND MARINE CORPS VISIT SANTO DOMINGO

ON BOARD USS PORTLAND (LSD 37) – Naval and Marine Corps personnel from throughout the United States arrived today in Santo Domingo as part of the annual UNITAS deployment to Latin America.

Marking the first time in eight years that a U.S. Naval vessel visits the Dominican Republic, Marine Forces UNITAS 43-02 will train with the Armed forces of the Dominican Republic. 

Held each year since 1959, UNITAS is a multi-lateral Naval operation of traditional at sea- exercises and amphibious operations. It presents an unequaled opportunity to improve the operational readiness and interoperability of U.S., Caribbean, South and Central American Naval and Marine Corps forces while promoting hemispheric coalition, professionalism and mutual understanding.

Latin for “Unity”, UNITAS 43-02 is the largest Naval Exercise in the region and consists primarily of three large regional multi-national phases: a Caribbean phase held in February, a Pacific phase held in June an Atlantic phase held in November and finally an amphibious phase beginning later this month of which the USS Portland and its Marine Corps contingent are part of. The Amphibious phase is a series of bilateral amphibious exercises conducted with Naval and Marine Corps forces from the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil during a three month circumnavigation deployment around South America.

The embarked Marine Force UNITAS 43-02 (MarFor UNITAS) is commanded by LtCol. Anthony Q. Hattey and consists of over 300 Marines.  MarFor UNITAS is an Infantry company reinforced with a platoon of amphibious assault vehicles and a reconnaissance detachment.

The U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps team along with armed forces from our neighbors in the Caribbean, South and Central America play a critical role in maintaining stability, readiness and coalition in the Americas. 

The amphibious phase of UNITAS presents a unique opportunity for U.S. Sailors and Marines to meet new people, visit interesting ports and experience rich new cultures.  UNITAS also invites the occasion for people throughout Latin America to better know the fine men and women of our Navy, our Marine Corps and our Country.

USS PORTLAND (LSD 37), commanded by CMDR Larry Creevy, will serve as the primary Naval unit for the Amphibious Phase. The Anchorage class Dock Landing Ship (LSD) was commissioned in May of 1970 and serves as a launching platform for amphibious assault training operations during UNITAS.

The Little Creek, Virginia based amphibious ship has a crew of 290 Sailors and 21 officers.

Now more than ever, UNITAS plays a role in maintaining stability, coalition and cooperation in the Americas.

The men and women of UNITAS 43-02 are looking forward to the hospitality of the people of the Dominican Republic.

For more information about this media availability and other media opportunities during this deployment, contact Capt. Winston Jiménez at: Jimenezwg@portland.usmc.mil or call 809-223-9716.

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