The anti-submarine frigate Type 23 FF-06 Admiral Condell of the Chilean Navy arrived at the joint base on June 26 Pearl Harbor – Hickman to participate in the XXIX edition of the international exercise Rim of the Pacific, Rimpac, that will develop the United States Navy from June 26 to August 2 in the Hawaii area.
Rimpac It is the largest and most important naval exercise in the world. Conducted since 1971 by the United States Navy, it tests the capabilities of the Indo-Pacific navies to operate in a combined manner, improve their combat capabilities and increase interoperability in order to confront various threats to regional stability.
Captain Jorge Vergara and his family salute the crew of the frigate FF-06 Almirante Condell with the Chilean flag upon their arrival in Hawaii. Signature Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Courtney Strahan US Navy
The frigate of the National Squadunder the command of the ship captain Carlos Ruizset sail from the port of Valparaíso on the afternoon of May 27 to begin a deployment of more than three months in the North Pacific and will interoperate in RIMPAC 2024 with 40 ships and three submarines, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 men and women representing 29 countries around the world.
An attack helicopter is on board the ship Airbus AS332F1 Cougar (SH-32) of the HA-1 Attack Helicopter Squadron of the Naval Aviation which will be used in anti-submarine missions during the development of the XXIX edition of the international exercise. In addition, the institution will deploy a platoon of Marine infantry that will demonstrate its capabilities in Rimpac 2024.
Within the framework of this operation, the FF-06 Admiral Condell made an operational call on June 14 at the US naval base in San DiegoCalifornia, where she participated in coordination meetings for planning the execution of exercises at sea during her transit to Hawaii, and continued her voyage from San Diego on 20 June bound for Pearl Harbor.
Preparation and motivation
The Chilean Navy was the first in Latin America to join Rimpac. In 1996 the frigate was deployed PFG-07 Admiral Lynch of the class Leanderan anti-submarine helicopter SH-32 Cougary the submarine SS-21 Simpson of the class 209/1400L. Except for a parenthesis in 2010, when he could not send a unit due to the earthquake that devastated the central area, and in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Covid-19has participated with ships, submarines and aircraft on 12 occasions.
The institution will have a relevant place in the conduct of Rimpac. The Commodore Alberto Guerrero will serve from K. Mark Takai Pacific Warfighting Center as deputy commander of the Combined Task Forcebeing the first officer from a non-founding and English-speaking country to assume that position. Previously, in the 2018 edition, the then Commodore Pablo Niemann also marked a milestone by leading the Maritime Component of Rimpac.
Commodore Alberto Guerrero and Chilean naval officers at the arrival of the FF-06 frigate Almirante Condell to Pearl Harbor. Signature Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Courtney Strahan US Navy
In this context, Captain Carlos Ruiz referred to the deployment of his unit to Rimpac 2024 In a video published on May 28 on the institution’s social networks on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of the raising of the national flag in the FF-06 Admiral Condell (exHMS Marlborough) in Portsmouth, United Kingdom, where he greeted those who served on the ship and its current crew.
“Just as Chile is a continuous geographic whole through its sea, it is also a continuous geographic whole with the coastal countries of the Pacific Basin, a situation that has allowed us, since 1996, to participate uninterruptedly in the RIMPAC exercise. This year is special for this ship because it is the first time that we will participate in this transcendental exercise, which is the most important in the world,” said the officer.
“I want to tell you that we are fully trained, we are motivated and capable of leaving the name of our Navy, our country and the frigate on high.” Condell. Frigate Condellcome on Kraken!“said ship captain Carlos Ruiz.
