U.S. Navy (USN) and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) personnel increased interoperability with South American naval forces during Operation Southern Seas 2024, which concluded in early July. The USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group sailed around the continent over the past few months, carrying out joint and combined exercises with the armed forces of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay.
“Operation Southern Seas 2024 successfully concluded in the waters of the Pacific,” said the Colombian Military Forces’ General Command (CGFM) in a July 1 statement. Southern Seas 2024 was a U.S. Southern Command- (SOUTHCOM) led operation executed by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (USNAVSO) to strengthen international maritime partnerships and improve participating forces’ readiness.
Brazil, Argentina, and Chile
In mid-May, the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) conducted passage exercises and other operations at sea with the Brazilian Navy (MB), accompanied by the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) and the Henry J. Kaiser-class replenishment tanker USNS John Lenthall (T-AO-189).
“The purpose of Southern Seas 2024 is to conduct naval and aerial operations with the USN and USCG in order to expand the interoperability of the forces involved, as well as to increase cooperation and strengthen the bonds of friendship between MB, the USN, and the USCG,” MB’s Social Communication Center told Diálogo. “The mission also marked 200 years of diplomatic relations between Brazil and the United States,” the MB added.
In Argentina, the USS George Washington took part in the joint naval exercise Gringo-Gaucho II with seven vessels and four aircraft from the Argentine Navy, also as part of Southern Seas 2024. “The objective of Gringo-Gaucho is to increase the level of training and interoperability between the two navies,” the Argentine Navy said in a statement on May 27.
“The Argentine Navy is standing on the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, witnessing the largest combined exercise in the last 14 years,” Argentine Defense Minister Luis Petri said via X.
“The arrival of the aircraft carrier is yet another example of the excellent diplomatic relations between the two countries, as well as the intense exchange and cooperation that the Biden administration has been carrying out with the Argentine government,” Argentine news site Infobae reported.
In early June, the U.S. fleet headed for Chile, where it passed through the bay of Punta Arenas and the port of Valparaíso. On board the USS George Washington, Chilean Defense Minister Maya Fernández thanked the U.S. Embassy in Santiago for the invitation to visit the aircraft carrier. Fernández highlighted “the opportunity to learn about the operation of this ship and exchange opinions, which allows us to strengthen the relationship between the navies of both countries,” the Chilean Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
Admiral Juan Andrés de La Maza, commander of the Chilean Navy, highlighted the exchange of knowledge with the U.S. military. “In these exercises, we take advantage of the interaction with navies that are more advanced than us and test our capabilities,” Adm. De La Maza said.
Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia
In mid-June, it was Peru’s turn to receive the U.S. fleet. Military personnel from both countries carried out various maneuvers with ships, aircraft, and submarines, including a demonstration of air power and surface exercises.
Peruvian President Dina Boluarte was on board the George Washington accompanied by high-ranking Peruvian Army and government officials, the U.S. Navy said. “Our 200-year partnership is built on decades of close cooperation. These bilateral exercises and shipboard visits allow us to continue shaping our relationship with our Peruvian partners and ensuring the effective interoperability of our maritime forces,” said U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Alexis Walker, commander of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10.
In Ecuador, participating troops carried out combined military exercises that offered “valuable training opportunities for Ecuadorian Air Force flight teams and other defense components,” the Ecuadorian Air Force (FAE) said in a statement. “Collaboration in these exercises not only strengthens the tactical and operational capabilities of the Ecuadorian Armed Forces, but also encourages the exchange of knowledge and experiences with the armed forces of other countries, contributing to the strengthening of regional security and stability,” the FAE said.
In Colombia, military authorities celebrated Southern Seas 2024. “For the first time in history, a U.S. Navy MH-60R naval helicopter landed on the flight deck of a Colombian ship,” the CGFM said.
In addition, “12 crew members from the Colombian Navy had the opportunity to be on board this impressive aircraft carrier during the two days of operation, to learn first-hand about its capabilities as observers of naval exercises, sharing experiences of naval tactics and strategy, as well as a cultural exchange that strengthens the bonds of brotherhood between the two navies,” said the CGFM.
