Ships from the Brazilian Navy and the Armed Forces of Chile and Argentina carry out exercises during the crossing to the maritime area where the operation will take place.
By Captain (RM2-T) Luciana Almeida
The Brazilian Navy (MB) frigate “Liberal”, with AH-11B “Super Lynx” aircraft on board, is on its way to Valparaiso, Chile, where Operation “Unitas LXV” will take place, consisting of military exercises with the navies of Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Peru. The ship left the Chilean port of Punta Arenas on the 25th, where it made a logistical stop after the end of Operation “Fraterno”, carried out with the Argentine Navy.
At the beginning of the deployment, the “Liberal” carried out a “PASSEX” with the Ocean Patrol Vessel (OPV) “Marinero Fuentealba”. The exercise takes place when ships from different navies sail through the same region and their routes allow for joint training. On this occasion, the flight deck (convoo) of the Chilean ship had the opportunity to receive the MB aircraft, in what is known as a crossdeck exercise.
In this way, the Brazilian pilots were able to see for themselves the peculiarities of landing on board that ship, which could occur in the event of an operational need.
During the transit through the Chilean channels, the “Liberal” frigate met up with the Type 23 Duke-class frigate “Lynch”, from the Chilean Navy, and the Meko 360-class destroyer “Sarandi”, from the Argentine Navy, to begin a series of joint exercises.
On this occasion, the aircraft embarked on the Brazilian and Argentinian ships were able to fly over and land on the flight decks of all the participating ships, as well as transport military personnel from the three countries who had embarked on the other ships for an exchange.
The military personnel who board ships from other countries are called Shipriders. As well as being employed to facilitate communication and cooperation between the ships, they also have the opportunity to share technical knowledge and experience, learning the practices and procedures of the ship they are on.
The three ships also carried out a simultaneous close-approach maneuver. The event allows training in maintaining the position between the ships while sailing, adopting the same course and speed. “These exercises, which simulate maneuvers for the transfer of material and personnel between ships at sea, involve skill, as they require the ships to sail very close together, which requires close monitoring by the maneuvering team throughout the action,” explained the Commander of the Frigate ‘Liberal’, Frigate Captain Rogério Diniz.
The commander also explains that these maneuvers must be carried out in the shortest possible time, “so that the ships involved don’t become vulnerable targets for a possible attack, since their movements will be restricted”.
The 65th edition of “Unitas”, which will be held from September 2 to 11, will include the formation of a multinational naval force among the participating navies, to operate in mutual support, in the context of an amphibious operation, which projects power from sea to land.
“The exercises, which will take place in Chilean jurisdictional waters, aim to contribute to increasing the interoperability of the resources of the Brazilian Fleet and the other navies, as well as promoting cooperation and closer ties of friendship between the naval forces of these countries,” said the commission’s Task Group Commander, Rear Admiral Nelson Leite, Commander of the 1st Division of the Brazilian Fleet.
The three ships also took part in a Naval Parade (a parade of naval assets) near the city of Viña del Mar and the Bay of Valparaíso, in Chile. This is a traditional event held at sea or in ports, in which a group of ships in formation presents the operational capacity and integration of the naval forces.
This type of event aims to demonstrate the naval power and readiness of the units, and can also be held to celebrate commemorative dates or pay homage to institutions and personalities. Naval parades also highlight the strategic and symbolic importance of a Navy, reinforcing its commitment to the security and sovereignty of its nations.
Chilean canals
The Brazilian warship entered the Strait of Magellan through its eastern access, greeted by the Chilean Ocean Patrol Vessel “Marinero Fuentealba”. After a logistical stop in Punta Arenas, the Brazilian frigate headed for the Chilean channels themselves, located along the country’s southern coast.
Offering a unique navigation route, under unstable weather conditions and narrow, winding channels, there is a need to navigate in restricted waters for practically the entire transit, which is why the “Liberal” Frigate was assisted on board by Chilean officers accustomed to the region.
“This route allows us, in addition to avoiding the rough seas of the Pacific Ocean, to have a spectacular navigation, with scenery of snow-capped peaks and unique nature,” said Admiral Nelson Leite.
Source: Agência Marinha de Notícias