In a report issued today, the United States Southern Command announced the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington to South American waters over the coming months to conduct the Southern Seas 2024 Deployment within the fourth fleet of that country.
According to the statement, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier will be joined by the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, the USS Porter (DDG 78) and the Henry J. Kaiser AOR, the USNS John Lenthall (T-AO-189). The group of ships is expected to conduct exercises and operations with various partner nations of the United States, while the itinerary aims to circumnavigate the South American subcontinent. Additionally, encounters with different notable visitors are planned for them to observe the operations up close.
The Southern Seas 2024 involves activities with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay.
“The Southern Seas 2024 will provide an opportunity to enhance interoperability and increase efficiency with the navies of partner nations,” said Rear Adm. Jim Aiken, who is the commander of naval forces for the Southern Command and the 4th Fleet.
The deployment also involves the embarkation of approximately two dozen officers from 11 nations on the aircraft carrier. These sailors will receive instruction from professors of the U.S. Naval War College.
The statement concludes by mentioning that “The aircraft carrier USS George Washington is one of the cornerstones of the United States naval forces: the most adaptable and survivable aircraft carriers in the world. On any given day, sailors aboard an aircraft carrier and its embarked air wing are combat-ready and equipped for a wide range of missions. They are prepared to control the sea, conduct strikes, and maneuver through the electromagnetic spectrum and cyberspace. No other naval force has a comparable reach and depth of combat capability.”
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