F/A-18 Super Hornets from the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, as part of the Southern Seas 2026 initiative, trained alongside A-29 Super Tucano attack aircraft from the Ecuadorian Air Force. The exercise combined air and maritime operations aimed at strengthening interoperability between the U.S. Navy and the Armed Forces of Ecuador, forming part of the cooperation agenda tied to the carrier’s final deployment before its decommissioning. The activity took place in the Pacific Ocean and was part of a regional program designed to improve operational coordination among participating countries.
During the exercise, an Ecuadorian A-29 Super Tucano, piloted by Lieutenant Diego Morán and Major Antonio Pavón, flew in formation with an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the “Kestrels” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137, piloted by Lieutenant Commander David Blanchard. The aerial maneuvers were conducted on April 8, 2026, in a multinational maritime environment, integrating communication procedures, approach, and tactical flight operations. These practices allow both forces to optimize capabilities and reinforce joint protocols for real-world scenarios.
The exercise was linked to the multinational Southern Seas 2026 operation, which prioritizes joint exchange among naval, air, and coast guard units in the region. Participating in this deployment were units from the Ecuadorian Navy, the Ecuadorian Coast Guard, and the Ecuadorian Air Force, integrating maritime surveillance procedures, combined air operations, and coordinated deployments. The main objective was to enhance regional response capacity to transnational threats and improve interagency cooperation mechanisms.
The USS Nimitz (CVN-68), a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the lead ship of its class, hosted Ecuadorian civilian and military delegations during the operation, as well as U.S. diplomatic officials. The visit by authorities enabled a joint assessment of the progress in bilateral cooperation and of the integrated exercises conducted on April 7. These activities strengthen the strategic relationship in maritime security between both countries and complement the air operations carried out the following day.
Among those present was U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Lawrence Petroni, who highlighted the importance of the bilateral relationship. “The United States is Ecuador’s main strategic partner in security cooperation. Together we combat common enemies, such as transnational organized crime, which recognizes no borders and requires coordinated responses at sea and on land,” he stated. The operation reinforced the mutual commitment to advancing combined exercises and maintaining operational coordination in the region.
*Images obtained from DVIDS.
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