Unitas 2006. Cultural and language differences aside Unitas 2006 began on July 24 with a multinational desire to learn from each others strengths and weaknesses and in doing so foster stability in the western hemisphere through the exchange of ideas and actions.

Chile played host to this years Unitas, which means unity in Latin. The Andes Mountains and the beautiful Chilean country side were the backdrop for the multinational force that consisted of navies from seven countries, including Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Spain, and the United States.

The crew of the United States Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk, homeported in Key West, Fla., was placed on the Southnia team. The Southnia’s mission was to turn public opinion against the Northland team and make them become the aggressors.

With hours of planning and a will to survive against their more heavily armed counterparts, the crew of the Mohawk is still making waves in the South Pacific taking part in raids into enemy waters, helping to stop the flow of arms into Northland, and spotting the periscope of a submarine in Southnia waters which was soon sunk by a Chilean Naval Vessel.

Unitas has been more then just war games. The crew has also excelled in teaching the foreign forces law enforcement techniques; they flawlessly landed a Chilean Naval helicopter on their flight deck, and fueled at sea for the first time in over two years.

The crew of the Mohawk intend to still be afloat when the war games end on August 4th and to prove that just because they may not have as many weapons as the navy ships that are designed for war at the end of the day the Coast Guard has the people and the will to do their part during any conflict. With the repairs to the engines complete and the cutter looking new again the crew is ready to teach and learn from the international gathering during the following week.

Photos

Coast Guard Petty Officer Third Class Kevin E. Ham talks on a sound powered phone during gun exercises in the South Pacific off the coast of Chile on July 28, 2006.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Third Class Richard D. Minutello fires a heaving line gun to the Chilean Naval vessel Ortiz during a towing evolution between the two ships in the South Pacific off the coast of Chile on July 28, 2006.

The towing team on the Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk watch as the Chilean Naval vessel Ortiz is pulled along behind them in the South Pacific off the coast of Chile on July 28, 2006.

The Chilean Naval vessel Williams fires at a target during the opening days of Unitas in the South Pacific off the coast of Chile on July 29, 2006.

The United States Naval vessel Halyburton fires a drone to use as target practice during Unitas in the South Pacific off the coast of Chile on July 29, 2006.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Third Class Joshua Pollard (left) and Fireman Kellyn T. Stoffel (right) roll a barrel of lube oil down the flight deck in the South Pacific near Chile on July 31, 2006.

The fueling at sea crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk heave around a line connecting them to the Chilean Naval vessel Araucano in the South Pacific off the coast of Chile on July 31, 2006.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Second Class Josh S. Fitzgerald prepares to refuel a Chilean Navy SH-32 Cougar helicopter on the flight deck of the CGC Mohawk during war games in the South Pacific off the coast of Chile on August 1, 2006.

The tie-down crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk races out to secure a Chilean Navy SH-32 Cougar helicopter to the flight deck of the CGC Mohawk during war games in the South Pacific off the coast of Chile on August 1, 2006.

Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class Alex J. Acevedo keeps an eye on safety as a Chilean Navy SH-32 Cougar helicopter lands on the flight deck of the CGC Mohawk during war games in the South Pacific off the coast of Chile on August 1, 2006.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Third Class Carson L. Corbin waits for his next order during a fueling at sea with the Chilean Naval vessel Araucano in the South Pacific off the coast of Chile on July 31, 2006.

Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk steams in formation with the multinational force involved in Unitas 2006 in the South Pacific off the coast of Chile on July 28, 2006.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Third Class Beau C. Briley plots the CGC Mohawks course in the South Pacific near Chile on July 29, 2006.

Coast Guard Seaman Melissa A. Galford (left) and Colby R. Houart tie down a Chilean Navy SH-32 Cougar helicopter to the deck of the CGC Mohawk during war games in the South Pacific off the coast of Chile on August 1, 2006.

Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class Alex J. Acevedo watches as a Chilean Navy SH-32 Cougar helicopter takes off the flight deck of the CGC Mohawk during war games in the South Pacific off the coast of Chile on August 1, 2006.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Third Class Joshua Pollard prepares to lift a barrel of lube oil from the fantail to the flight deck in the South Pacific near Chile on July 31, 2006.

The fueling at sea crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk prepares to take diesel fuel onboard from the Chilean Naval vessel Araucano in the South Pacific off the coast of Chile on July 31, 2006.

The fueling at sea crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk drop the pelican hook as they prepare to separate from the Chilean Naval vessel Araucano in the South Pacific off the coast of Chile on July 31, 2006.

Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class Seni Ok makes a friend on the flight deck of the CGC Mohawk in the South Pacific off the coast of Chile on July 28, 2006.

Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class Kyle J. Youngflesh stands by the fire team as a Chilean Navy SH-32 Cougar helicopter lands on the deck of the CGC Mohawk during war games in the South Pacific off the coast of Chile on August 1, 2006.