As part of the training exercises conducted between the Argentine Navy and the Brazilian Navy during the combined Fraterno XXXVII exercise, aircraft launch and recovery drills were carried out on the second day of Phase 2. The AS-555-SN Fennec and AH-11B Wild Lynx helicopters, embarked on the Argentine destroyer Sarandí and the Brazilian frigate Liberal, respectively, participated in these operations.
For this activity, also known as crossdeck, the Argentine and Brazilian surface units adopted a diamond formation, with the Argentine patrol ship ARA Storni leading the formation, while the Sarandí and Liberal occupied the flanks.
From the command bridge of ARA Storni, the operations were led by Lieutenant Juan Pablo Coré, who, along with his team, maintained constant communication with the helicopters as they prepared to land on the patrol ship’s flight deck.
Sailing at 9 knots, the four ships maintained the diamond formation while the helicopters took off to begin the maneuver. Both the Fennec from the Argentine Navy’s First Helicopter Squadron and the AH-11B Wild Lynx from the Brazilian Navy’s 1st Anti-Submarine Helicopter Squadron started their flight operations, maneuvering clockwise around the formation while maintaining the same altitude and separation time.
One of the objectives of the activity was for each helicopter to complete at least four landings on each of the ships, in order to train the flight deck crew in launch and recovery operations with two different helicopter models.
When asked about the helicopter operations by Zona Militar, Lieutenant Coré explained: “The activity involved recovering the aircraft, taking control, and landing it on the flight deck. Then, it took off again to perform an approach and landing exercise. Once completed, the PAIP took operational control of the aircraft that was about to land.”
As is customary in such operations, combined training activities were complemented by gestures of camaraderie between both forces. This was evident on the Argentine patrol ship, where the flight deck crew of ARA Storni and the crew of the Brazilian Navy’s Sea Lynx helicopter exchanged insignias, once again highlighting the bonds of fraternity forged during these combined exercises.
You may also like: As they head to Ushuaia, the Argentine and Brazilian navies conducted tactical maneuvers and air defense coordination as part of the Fraterno Exercise
