In the operation, which began in Mayport – United States and toured six countries of South America, 37 ships, three submarines and 67 aircraft tested their resources.
For the first time in history, an MH-60R type naval helicopter of the United States Navy landed on the flight deck of a Colombian ship.
With naval exercises of logistic support at sea, naval formations and an impressive special maritime assault led by the Naval Navy Commandos of the Colombian Navy, Operation Southern Seas 2024 was successfully carried out, in which the Colombian Navy conducted naval exercises this weekend with the United States Navy, in the Pacific Ocean as the protagonist environment.
The crew of the Ocean Patrol Ship ARC Victoria, the corvette ARC Nariño, the Naval Aviation Group of the Pacific, a Rapid Reaction Unit and the Special Forces Group of the Navy were in charge of representing the naval power of Colombia in this historic encounter with the aircraft carrier USS George Washington of the United States Navy, which arrived in Colombian waters accompanied by two destroyers, the USS Porter and the USS Sampson, carrying on board more than 50 aircraft.
Within the framework of this operation, which had as its main objective to increase interoperability and strengthen the resources of both nations, it is noteworthy that for the first time, an MH-60R type naval helicopter of the United States Navy, with anti-submarine warfare resources, landed on a flight deck of a Colombian ship, in this case the Ocean Patrol Ship ARC Victoria, thanks to the update of international standards that granted it the qualification in 2023.
Additionally, 12 crew members of the Colombian Navy had the opportunity to be on board this impressive aircraft carrier during the two days of operation, to get to know its resources closely as observers of the naval exercises, sharing experiences of naval tactics and strategy, in addition to a cultural exchange that strengthens the bonds of brotherhood between both navies.
About the operation…
The aircraft carrier USS George Washington sailed more than ten thousand nautical miles and visited three international ports within the framework of the operation Southern Seas 2024, starting its journey in the port of Mayport - United States bound for Brazil and continuing its journey in South America through Argentina, passing through Chile, then Peru and later Ecuador, to finish, crossing the waters of Colombia.
In this tenth edition of Southern Seas, six bilateral commitments were made, where the participating countries deployed their resources with 37 ships, three submarines and 67 aircraft for the realization of 34 naval exercises and combined for 60 days.
In the same way, the USS George Washington received on its decks 29 Officers from 12 different countries in the International General Staff, of which two are of the Colombian Navy, who embarked throughout the course of the operation with the aim of strengthening their resources, exchanging knowledge, participating in the planning of bilateral operations, building and strengthening relations between the countries and sharing information and naval doctrine.
Source: Press Navy of Colombia
