The Brazilian Navy is hosting an annual multinational exercise, UNITAS Atlantic 2015, in Rio Grande, Brazil.
The exercise will see participation from the naval forces of Brazil, Chile, Peru, Mexico and the US, as well as personnel from Cameroon, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru and Senegal.
Several warships, aircraft and submarines will conduct operations in a variety of maritime scenarios in the Atlantic.
UNITAS seeks to train participating forces to test command and control of forces at sea, while operating as a multinational force to improve interoperability.
US 4th Fleet and Naval Forces Southern Command commander rear admiral George Ballance said: "UNITAS provides an opportunity to test our ability to collaborate and operate as a multinational team in a challenging maritime environment."
The US assets will include USS George Washington (CVN 73), Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, USS Chafee (DDG 90), USNS Bighorn (T-AO-198) and USS McFaul (DDG 74), Patrol Squadron (VP) 8, VP-9, VP-62, a US Air Force KC-135 plane, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23, and US Navy Reserve Augmentees.
The maritime exercise, which began in 1960, promotes tactical interoperability, friendship, professionalism, and mutual understanding, among the participating partner nations.
It also boosts theatre security cooperation in Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
Ballance added: "Each warfare scenario will enhance relationships and build on skills in a variety of areas.
"Specifically, the focus is on skill development and interoperability in electronic warfare, anti-air warfare, air defence, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and maritime interdiction operations."
