In a joint effort, the Brazilian Navy (MB) and the United States Navy (U.S.) carried out a typical war operation today (May 27) in support of the population of Rio Grande do Sul (RS). Coordinated by MB, the operation involved the transfer of 15 tons of donations between the Nuclear Aircraft Carrier “George Washington” and the Multipurpose Aerodrome Ship (NAM) “Atlântico,” off the coast of the state. The operation, whose objective is to speed up the transfer of donations to flood victims, also marks 200 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
On the high seas, the NAM “Atlântico”, positioned about 500 meters away from the American Aircraft Carrier, received the donations hoisted by Brazilian and American helicopters. This military operation of transferring external cargo between ships, using aircraft, is called VERTREP (Vertical Replenishment).After receiving all the cargo brought by the Americans, the Brazilian ship will dock again in Rio Grande (RS) to unload all the material and forward it to the Civil Defense. The donations, which were brought to the South Coast by the Americans, were collected and stored by MB and transported by the Navy’s Customs Distribution and Operations Center (CDAM), including mineral water, non-perishable food, food, food, and hygiene and cleaning supplies.
Faced with the scenario of public calamity that is plaguing Rio Grande do Sul, the U.S. Navy offered to join efforts in the solidarity wave in support of families affected by the rains, through increased training among the Navies. For the Commander of the 1st Division of the Fleet, Rear Admiral Nelson de Oliveira Leite, this type of operation carried out with another Force shows the necessary and desirable interoperability that we have to have with friendly navies.”
Today, it was shown, once again, the importance of always taking advantage of the opportunity to operate with other navies, because in a real situation like this, we are ready to act.” In addition, this action demonstrates that the presence of the NAM “Atlântico” in the port of Rio Grande was not limited to a transport activity or assistance to the population of the region. We can exploit the main capability of the ship, which is its mobility. Thus, we can leave the port, go to sea, meet another ship, make this cargo transfer and return to disembark,” he explains.
Operation “Taquari 2”
Since April 30, Navy service members have been operating in the cities of Rio Grande do Sul affected by the rains. The Force has already employed more than 2,000 military personnel, 11 helicopters, 9 ships, 73 vessels and 215 vehicles to provide assistance to the population of Rio Grande do Sul, in addition to transporting more than 400 tons of donations and 130,000 liters of bottled water.
An Operational Group of Marines in Support of Civil Defense was also sent to Rio Grande do Sul, where it is working to rescue people, transport material, clear roads, recover structures, support local Public Security forces, and provide drinking water, with the use of two mobile water treatment plants that add up to a capacity of 20,000 liters per hour.
A Field Hospital with 40 beds was set up in the city of Guaíba and the NAM “Atlântico” has employed its health team to serve the population of municipalities south of Lagoa dos Patos.