The combined naval exercise PASSEX “Gringo-Gaucho II” highlighted several points of importance. Despite much of the attention being focused on the USS George Washington aircraft carrier of the U.S. Navy, the Argentine Navy engaged in an intense week-long activity involving many of its components, including the participation of the Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) Team.
The unit dependant of the Maritime Patrol Division, the Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) Team, is a specialized element of the Argentine Navy trained in boarding techniques and movements aboard ships. Throughout the year, the VBSS Team embarks on ocean patrol vessels that conduct maritime space control operations around the 200-mile limit, especially during months when the vast fleet of squid and fishing vessels operate in the region, with particular attention to the Illex squid, among other species. In these cases, the VBSS Team works in conjunction with personnel from the Tactical Divers Group, as seen during “Gringo-Gaucho II”.
For the exercises planned with the U.S. Navy ships, the VBSS Team underwent an intensive training period in tactical ship movements, which took place in Mar del Plata. As a prelude to “Gringo-Gaucho,” the unit conducted an exercise when the Navy ships were anchored off the Mar del Plata coast, boarding the corvette ARA “Espora” P-41. High-speed boarding practices were also carried out on ocean patrol vessels, preparing for what was executed a few days later with the U.S. destroyer USS Porter DDG 78.
Activities between the U.S. Navy and some ships of the Argentine Navy’s Maritime Patrol Division included the ocean patrol vessels ARA “Piedrabuena” P-52, ARA “Almirante Storni” P-53, and ARA “Almirante Cordero” P-54, as well as personnel from the Tactical Divers Group (APBT) and the VBSS Team, who prepared in the days leading up to the Gringo-Gaucho II exercise. Additionally, RHIBs from the Argentine patrol vessels and an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter from the HSC-5 “Nightdippers” Squadron were involved. This aircraft allowed EOD unit personnel from the US Navy to fast-rope onto the USS Porter’s flight deck and provide overwatch during the boarding maneuver.
Once aboard the USS Porter destroyer, the various elements of the VBSS Team, APBT, EOD, and ship personnel conducted a combined Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure operation, involving movement across different decks of the American destroyer. Images released by the participating forces highlight the spectacular nature of the deployment, which included the expected complexities given the type of operation and participating units.
Argentine Navy Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure Team
With the incorporation of the OPV 87/90 class ocean patrol vessels, the Maritime Patrol Division created the VBSS Team under its command. The unit is trained in boarding techniques, shipboard movements, laws and regulations, self-defense, combat first aid, fast-roping from helicopters (the first VBSS unit in history to do so), among other skills.
The activities carried out during the “Gringo-Gaucho II” exercise demonstrated all the training and preparation that the VBSS Team members undergo throughout the year. One member stated to Zona Militar that during the exercise, “…we were able to demonstrate that we are capable of working with international and special forces, at least regarding maritime interdiction…”.
Acknowledgments: Argentine Navy; VBSS Team
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