Units of the Argentine Navy conducted integrated exercises in the waters of the Beagle Channel near Ushuaia. The drills involved forces from the Southern Marine Infantry Brigade and the Naval Aviation Command.
The fast boat ARA Intrépida and patrol boats ARA Baradero and ARA Concepción del Uruguay transported personnel from Marine Infantry Battalion No. 4. Naval Aviation deployed a Fennec helicopter, two Sea Kings and a P-3C Orion aircraft.
Rescue swimmers were deployed from the Sea King helicopters to test the readiness of Marine Infantry personnel assigned to the area. The units also practised recovering a simulated casualty in extremely cold water and delivering supplies to ships by helicopter.
The exercises aimed to improve interoperability between Navy units and strengthen procedures for deploying forces in the southern region. The ministry said the activities contribute to carrying out national sovereignty defence tasks.
The deployment of Naval Aviation units to the far south also coincided with the anniversary of Río Grande Naval Air Base, known as the Pioneers of Naval Aviation at the South Pole. Crews trained in cold-weather flying techniques. B-200, P-3C Orion and T-34 Turbo Mentor aircraft, along with Fennec and H-3 Sea King helicopters, took part. Some of the preparation for the 2026/2027 Summer Antarctic Campaign will continue aboard the icebreaker ARA Almirante Irízar.
After the drills, Ushuaia Naval Base and Río Grande Naval Air Base opened to the public over the weekend. Residents, families and tourists viewed aircraft and displays by Marine Infantry units and the Naval Hospital, and watched a band performance and aerial demonstrations.
