The Argentine, Brazilian, Paraguayan, and Uruguayan Navies have concluded the Acrux V exercise, aimed at training in river operations on the Parana, Paraguay, and Uruguay Rivers.
The Argentine, Brazilian, Paraguayan, and Uruguayan Navies have concluded the Acrux V exercise, aimed at training in river operations on the Parana, Paraguay, and Uruguay Rivers.
The exercise was conducted in the jurisdiction of the Naval River Area Command, headquartered at Zarate Naval Base, with a theater of operations marked out in the vicinity of the towns of Ibicuy, Mazaruca, and Estancia La Argentina, in the area along the rivers in the southern part of the Argentine province of Entre Rios.
The Argentine Navy participated with units from the River Squadron, the patrol ship ARA Murature, the multi-purpose ships ARA Ciudad de Zárate and Ciudad de Rosario, the patrol speedboat Rio Santiago, tactical divers, Marines from the 3d Marine Battalion, a B-200 plane from the Maritime Surveillance Naval Air Squadron, and smaller vessels.
The Brazilian Navy sent the river logistical support ship Potengí, the monitor Parnaiba with an attached IH-6B helicopter, the river troop transport ship Paraguassu, the patrol speedboat Penedo, smaller vessels, and Marines.
The Paraguayan Navy’s contribution was the river patrol ship Itaipú, a group of Marines, Amphibious Commandos, and smaller vessels.
Finally, the Uruguayan Navy took part in the exercise with the coastal patrol speedboat Colonia, the logistical support ship Maldonado, smaller vessels, and a Marine battalion.
During the Acrux exercise, the four Navies carried out different river operations on, in, and around the islands, streams, and watercourses in the area. Specifically, they conducted training activities in techniques and tactics at the individual and group levels and integrating the naval, air, and Marine components.
Acrux is held every two years and was established by a cooperation agreement signed by representatives of the four participating Navies on October 14, 1999.
The name “Acrux” alludes to one of the stars in the Southern Cross, a constellation used for navigation by sailors in the Southern Hemisphere.