The Buenos Aires Naval Apostille received this morning the icebreaker ARA “Almirante Irizar” (RHAI) that officially ended the first stage of the Summer Antarctic Campaign (CAV) 2025/26, after having completed the scheduled operational tasks.
Once the logistics ship ARA “Patagonia” completed in the metropolitan port the resupply of the cargo destined for the realization of the third stage of the CAV and the fuel for the bases, ships and aircraft, this morning the “Irizar” took its place.
Shortly after arriving, the logistical tasks began to resupply everything necessary for its operation and to supply the country’s bases located to the east of the Antarctic Peninsula, to which it will arrive within the framework of the second stage of the CAV, a phase in which it will cross the Antarctic Circle and reach the south of the Weddell Sea to Coats Land. where Belgrano II is located on the Bertrab nunatak, the southernmost of the Argentine Republic and the third southernmost of the permanent bases on the planet.
Initial phase
During this first phase, under the coordination of the Joint Antarctic Command, the Argentine Navy ship, under the command of Captain Sebastián Musa, sailed 6,490 nautical miles (more than 12,000 km) in a period of 48 days. Unit that has the support on the white continent of the ARA “Puerto Argentino” warning that is being conducted by the Combined Naval Antarctic Patrol.
Throughout its stay on the Antarctic continent, the RHAI carried out the partial resupply of the permanent bases Esperanza, Petrel, Marambio, Orcadas and Carlini, thus guaranteeing the continuity of operational and scientific activities after having provided them with scientific material, fuels, lubricants, refrigerated, refrigerated and dry food, construction materials and general cargo.
Likewise, it successfully opened the Brown, Primavera, and Deception Antarctic Transitory Bases, completing the disembarkation of the scientific material and assigned personnel.
As part of the scheduled activities, at the same time on board the “Irizar” support was provided to the various scientific projects developed by our country on the white continent with personnel from the National Antarctic Directorate (DNA) and the Argentine Antarctic Institute, and for specific work that the Naval Hydrography Service will carry out at the Melchior base.
The orange colossus conducted the withdrawal of the crews and the partial deployment of 96 wintering aircraft from the Orcadas, Esperanza and Petrel joint bases through air operations with Sea King helicopters of the Second Naval Air Squadron of the Argentine Navy. At the same time, it deployed scientific personnel from the National Antarctic Directorate (DNA) and inspectors from the National Meteorological Service to the different Antarctic bases.
During the journey to Buenos Aires, the Embarked Aeronaval Group, made up of naval air personnel and Sea Kings, after having completed 87 hours of flight in logistics operations, returned to its natural station, the Comandante Espora Naval Air Base, where it will carry out maintenance tasks on all aircraft systems for the set-up for the next phase.
Regarding the activities conducted so far, the Commander of the ship, Captain Musa, remarked: “It was a demanding stage, with complex conditions that we were able to overcome thanks to the professionalism, commitment and teamwork of the entire crew of the icebreaker.”
He also remarked that all these operations have the fundamental purpose of sustaining the Argentine presence in Antarctica. “Our work allows us to keep the Antarctic bases operational, guaranteeing that the scientists of the Argentine Antarctic Institute and the crews of each base can develop their research, such as the study of macroalgae biomass, measurement of microplastics and sampling of air, seawater and the seabed,” concluded Captain Musa.