While the icebreaker ARA “Almirante Irizar” was off Monte Hermoso, yesterday the Embarked Naval Air Group (GAE) was integrated, thus joining the Summer Antarctic Campaign (CAV) 2025-26.
From the Comandante Espora Naval Air Base, the maneuver understood as “jumping” was conducted, where the Sea King helicopters, with their personnel and equipment, moved to the icebreaker to operate jointly in Antarctica, providing logistical support tasks such as the transport of personnel, food, and materials.
The Commander of the GAE, Lieutenant Commander Gastón Damián Jacob, said that they prepared all year with training activities in the mountains and snow. He also reaffirmed his desire that, as in every campaign, “to “be able to serve the icebreaker and successfully complete the unloading of the material from each base.”
From the air, the rotary-wing aircraft of the Second Aeronaval Helicopter Squadron (EAH2) will fulfill the role of transporting scientists, military personnel, food, fuel, and scientific and construction material. In addition to conducting the withdrawal of waste from the Argentine Antarctic Bases.
The tasks will be conducted throughout the development of the Basque Autonomous Community, multiplying the operational capacity of the “Irizar”.
The Embarked Aeronaval Group
Helicopters are essential for the supply of our country’s bases on the White Continent; they have the capacity to transport a maximum load of 2700 kg. Their presence allows scientific expeditions to be conducted in extremely hostile terrain.
To conduct daily maintenance, the icebreaker has a hangar on board with the capacity to accommodate two aircraft, along with spare parts and tools to solve any eventuality, guaranteeing operational operation on the white continent.
The GAE is made up of pilots, a technical officer, and non-commissioned officers of various specialties to provide the daily maintenance of the helicopters.