These training exercises in the maritime domain were carried out under NATO standards, in order to prepare Colombian Sailors to strengthen interoperability in the execution of joint and combined operations.
For the first time in Colombia, the refloating capacity of submarine units was tested.
Units of the Caribbean Naval Force of the Colombian Navy carried out naval exercises in the Caribbean Sea for four days, within the framework of the Operation Neptune IV: Night of San Juan that, in its fourth edition, brought together 15 units and more than 565 crew members of the Naval Institution, with the main objective of strengthening the use of differential resources for the fulfillment of the constitutional mandate in this important region of the country.
The exercises included different naval maneuvers carried out under NATO standards, including tactical formations and maneuvers, anti-aircraft defense, surface and anti-aircraft armament firing of afloat units, missile defense, protection of a main body from underwater threats, boarding of the air and sea to a unit with opposition, aeromedical evacuations from afloat and underwater units, deployment of underwater commandos and seizure of beaches, and refloating of underwater units, among others.
It should be noted that the ability to refloat underwater units represents a great progress in terms of technical and technological resources, as well as complex procedures for this type of maneuvers, since it involves the use of specialized equipment and highly trained and skilled personnel. This ability leads the Colombian Navy, to make the recovery of units in critical situations and the strengthening of its response capacity in emergency environments.
This edition of the operation Neptune counted on the missile frigates ARC Almirante Padilla, ARC Antioquia and ARC Independiente, the Oceanic Patrol ARC Victoria, the Coastal Patrol Boat ARC Punta Espada, the submarines ARC Tayrona and ARC Pijao, Coast Guard and Navy Special Forces units, the Multipurpose Hydrographic Ship ARC Caribe, a Pilot type unit of the General Maritime Directorate, the Navy Infantry Special Forces and the ARC 803, a vertical take-off VBAT-type unmanned aircraft, two Naval Aviation Bell 412 helicopters, the ARC Bolívar Naval Base with its logistical capacity and with the Diving and Rescue Department, as well as two A-29 Super Tucano aircraft of the Colombian Air Force. These units are manned by highly trained men and women and work for the protection of the sovereignty, independence, constitutional order and the entire territory of the country.
Through these maneuvers, naval operations, rescue and communications exercises, the personnel participating in this training operation reinforced their military readiness, increasing interoperability conducted by units and components, strengthening their resources and updating knowledge in real environments, to increase the degree of readiness of the military operation.
Source: Press – Navy of Colombia
