“Unitas Pacific Phase:” UNITAS exercises began as a bilateral naval exercise with the U.S. Navy, in 1959. They were created within the context of the Cold War in order to offer a coordinated answer from the United States and its Latin American allies in the event of aggression from the former Soviet Union.

Initially the emphasis was placed mainly on anti-submarine exercises in light of the considerable Soviet Union’s submarine force and was held with exclusive participation of the Chilean Fleet. Over time and as a natural adaptation to the evolving international scene this operation has grown to include other aspects of war at sea such as amphibious and inshore exercises.

Over time UNITAS has evolved from being a bi-national exercise to a multinational one, this occurring for the first time in the year 2000. At present two separate UNITAS exercises take place involving the coastal countries of South America; one being between costal countries on the Pacific and the other between costal countries on the Atlantic. As of 2001 the Pacific UNITAS is hosted alternatively by Colombia, Chile, Ecuador and Peru. Each hosting country prepares the orientation for the exercises to be performed on each occasion. In 2004 UNITAS was hosted by Ecuador and was the first time that an amphibious phase was performed as a multinational group.

“Rimpac” (Rim of the Pacific): This is the largest combined naval exercise of the Pacific Ocean. It is organized by the Third Fleet of the U.S. Navy and was carried out for the first time in 1971. As of 1974 it has been carried out every two years in Hawaii. The current participating countries are: Australia, Canada, Chile, United States, Japan, Korea, United Kingdom, and Peru, the latter having joined for the first time in 2004. The U.S. participating navy forces are also joined by members of other U.S.defense branches.

As the largest combined exercise, “ Rimpac” includes the participation of more than 50 ships including attack aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, amphibious units, 300 aircraft and about 30,000 men and women from different countries. The Chilean Navy has taken part in this exercise since 1996 and it is considered the most important exercise that the Chilean Navy participates in. The experience is of great value as it contributes to the development of common doctrines and procedures in accordance with OTAN rules for multinational navies.

“Team Work South:” This is a multinational naval exercise that has taken place in northern Chile since 1995 and concentrates the largest number of troops, ships, and aircraft on Chilean territory. As of 1999 it is carried out every other year (odd years).

This exercise is hosted by the Chilean Navy and is participated by forces from Canada, France, United States and the United Kingdom. The Chilean Air Force is also a participant in this exercise.

“Marcot” (Maritime Coordination and Training): Is a multinational naval exercise organized by the Canadian Navy. It takes place on odd years in Canadian Pacific waters. This exercise is geared to the training of multinational forces that operate under the United Nations mandate. Participants are the navies from Australia, Canada, Chile, United States and Great Britain. The Chilean Navy has participated in this exercise since 1994.

“Team Work North:” Is a multinational naval exercise hosted by the United States Third Fleet and is organized jointly with the Chilean Navy since 1996. This exercise is held off the coast of California and is participated by the navies of Canada, Chile and the United States.

“Panamax:” Is a multinational interoperation exercise for the protection of the Panama Canal. It took place for the first time in 2003. “PANAMAX” was coordinated by the United States Southern Command, the Chilean Navy and the Maritime Services of Panama. It’s objective is to develop the necessary interoperation procedures to establish coordinated responses from the U.S. and South American navies, for the protection of this vital maritime route. It is worthy of mention that the number of participants in “PANAMAX” has been steadily increasing annually reaching a record in 2007 of 16 active participating nations with 3 additional nations as observers.

“Passex:” This is a bilateral exercise that is carried out when friendly navies visit and sail each others coastal waters. Passex has been carried out with naval units from Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Italy, Korea, Peru, South-Africa, Spain, Sweden, and the United States.

“Integration:” Within the context of the existing rapprochement policy and mutual trust efforts with Argentina, the Chilean Navy proposed to the
Argentinean Navy the creation of a bilateral exercise between each others war units. As a result of this initiative, the “ Integration Exercise” was created in 1998.

“Pacific and Neptune:” As a result of bilateral meetings between  Peru’s Third Naval Zone and  Chile’s Fourth Naval Zone and  in-keeping  with the existing rapprochement and mutual trust policies with Peru,  the Chilean Navy proposed to the Peruvian Navy the establishment of bilateral exercises
between the two navies. This initiative originated the “Reskatamuy” Exercise, (meaning rescue in Quechua), which took place in bordering waters of both countries called “Chile North / Peru South” and was held annually from 1999 to 2001. This exercise allowed the relationship between the two navies to strengthen and made possible the training for the development of effective methods to protect human life at sea.

In 2003, “Reskatamuy” was replaced by two exercises: 1) “Pacific” which focuses on tactical operations between units from both Fleets and 2) “Neptune” with focus on combating pollution in harbors by employing resources from both bordering naval zones.

“Bogatún:” Is a bilateral naval exercise between the Brazilian and Chilean Navies. It has taken place since 1996 in waters of both countries.

“South:” Are peace operation exercises organized by the Southern Command of the United States, with participation of the U.S. and South American countries Armed Forces. In 2003, it was carried out in Buenos Aires, Argentina and our country was represented by a delegation of officers from the three National Defense Institutions.

“Marará:” Is a humanitarian aid exercise developed by the French Polynesian armed forces. Initially in 2001 and 2002 the Chilean Navy participated in this exercise as observers, changing to active participation with it’s Marines Corp in 2003.

“Solidarity:” Is a joint humanitarian and catastrophe aid exercise between Chilean and Argentinean armed forces that has taken place since 2003.

“Cabins:” Is an annual training exercise in Peacekeeping Operations (Chapter 6 of the UN Charter),
with participating ground forces from North, Central and South American countries. The exercise takes place in the country that requests it. More than 1000 people participate from Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, United States and Uruguay. Canada, Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela and UN representatives participate as observers.

The Chilean Navy has participated with it’s Marine Corps troops since 1998. In 2001 the Chilean Army participated with a troop component to this exercise.

Centaur: Is a bilateral annual exercise between the Chilean and American Marine Corps in which there is an interchange of members of the U.S. and Chilean Marines Corps. This exchange program was initiated in 1998.

“Bell-Buov:” It is an annual Maritime Naval Traffic Control (C.N.T.M: Control Naval de Tráfico Marítimo) exercise in the Pacific which is organized and directed by one of the participating countries. The participating navies in this exercise are from Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Korea, United Kingdom, and United States.

“Transamerica:” Is a Maritime Naval Traffic Control Exercise. The participating countries are: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Each participating country takes alternate turns in it’s organization. It takes place in the areas of the Southeast Pacific and the Southwest Atlantic Oceans.

Training Cruise: This training cruise takes place aboard the Barkantine/Schooner  “Esmeralda”. It’s  main purpose is to train the graduating classes of the Naval Academy and the Seaman Training School in the development of seamanship skills.

The “Esmeralda” has been the Chilean Navy’s training ship since 1955. Each year the “Esmeralda” and it’s crew carry out a five to six month training cruise  to many foreign countries around the globe and as such represents the Chilean nation where ever she goes and plays an important roll as Goodwill Ambassador for Chile.

The “Esmeralda” will, by special invitation, also take Officer guests as crew from Academies of other branches of the Armed Forces both Chilean and foreign.

Joint Naval Antarctic Patrol: Within the framework of regular meetings held between the Chilean and Argentinean Navies it was proposed to streamline the methods that both navies employ to safeguard ships and crews that navigate back and forth to Antarctica during the summer months of January and February of each year.

A Combined Antarctic Patrol was formed in 1998 involving units from the Argentinean and Chilean navies with the purpose of operating jointly in the  logistic support of search and rescue tasks in Antarctic waters. This has allowed the permanent presence of ships equipped and trained to act promptly in emergency situations that could affect the Antarctic marine environment and made for a more efficient utilization of both navies resources.

“International Sea Power Symposium” – ISS This meeting takes place every two years (odd years) at the U.S. Navy War Academy at Rohde Island.  It is attended by the Commander in Chiefs of all the navies of the world. Chile is represented by the Commander in Chief of the Navy and the Director of the War Academy.

Staff Meetings: Members of the Chilean Navy meet on a regular basis with members of Navies and Armed Forces of other nations.  These meeting serve to originate contacts and promote joint exercises with the purpose of building mutual trust between the Navies and whose governments have mutual interests. Participating countries are: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, France, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Peru, Spain, and the United States.

“Western Pacific Naval Symposium:” This meeting is held every two years (even years) and is attended by the Navies from Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Tonga, United States, and Vietnam. The Chilean Navy has been participating in this symposium since 1998.