Disembarkation of military personnel from sea to land marks the exercise’s D-Day
By Lieutenant Commander (RM2-T) Vanessa Mendonça
On Sunday morning (22), the multinational exercise “Solidarex 2024” had its high point, considered “D-Day”. The navies of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, the United States, Mexico and Peru carried out joint amphibious operations training in response to a large-scale (simulated) natural disaster. The landing from sea to land of teams specialized in the rescue and salvage of victims affected in urban areas took place on Miramar beach, in the Ancón region, off the coast of Peru.
The Brazilian Navy (MB) used an AH-11B (Super Lynx) aircraft embarked on the “Liberal” frigate to launch special operations troops, who made an initial incursion, recognizing the terrain for the arrival of the troops. Doctors and nurses were also sent to provide medical and hospital care to the victims.
For Peruvian Defense Minister Walter Astudillo Cháves, exercises like “Solidarex” strengthen solidarity between countries. “I thank the nations of the Americas and other continents who are participating as observers. May we continue to prepare, since disasters don’t warn us when they’re coming. Let’s continue on the path of unity, fraternity and solidarity,” he said.
Understand “D-Day”
With the aim of developing skills in joint and coordinated military actions, the multinational exercise “Solidarex 2024” focuses on humanitarian assistance and support in the event of natural disasters. For this reason, a key part of the exercise is to train a multinational amphibious task force to carry out amphibious operations between the participating navies in rapid response to large-scale natural disasters.
The exercise simulates the occurrence of a high magnitude earthquake in Lima, in which the navies of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, the United States, Mexico and Peru mobilize to provide support and humanitarian assistance to the affected population, rescue the injured, remove debris and provide support to displaced people.
Military personnel from Argentina, Chile, Spain, Italy, Panama and the Dominican Republic are taking part as observer countries.“Cooperation between the participating navies not only increases the degree of interoperability, solidarity and strengthens bonds of friendship, but also allows us to face regional challenges in a coordinated manner,” explained the Commander of the Brazilian Task Group in the exercise, Frigate Captain Rogério Moreira Diniz.
Source: Agência Marinha de Notícias