151013-N-WA189-097 VALPARAISO, Chile (Oct. 13, 2015)

151013-N-WA189-097 VALPARAISO, Chile (Oct. 13, 2015) – Rear Adm. George Ballance, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (center left), and Rear Adm. Lisa Franchetti, commander, Carrier Strike Group Nine (center right), and ships' COs speak with Chilean Vice Adm. Leiva after the UNITAS Pacific opening ceremony held in Valparaiso, Chile, on Oct. 13. UNITAS is part of Southern Seas 2015 deployment. The multinational forces exercise UNITAS 2015 is conducted in two phases. UNITAS Pacific (PAC), hosted by Chile, is scheduled for Oct. 13-24, 2015. UNITAS Atlantic (LANT), hosted by Brazil, is scheduled for November. Southern Seas 15 is planned by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (COMUSNAVSO) /Commander, U.S. Fourth Fleet (C4F) and carried out by USS George Washington (CVN 73) and Carrier Strike Group NINE. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam Henderson/Released)