The vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean served as the backdrop for a two-day show of maritime coordination as the Ecuadorian and U.S. Navies wrapped up a series of bilateral drills on April 8.
Part of the broader Southern Seas 2026 deployment, the engagement brought together high-tech warships and elite air wings to test how well the two nations can work as a single unit.
The exercise featured a heavy-hitting lineup. Ecuador deployed the Esmeraldas-class missile corvettes BAE Manabi and BAE Loja, supported by A-29 Super Tucano aircraft. They were met by the U.S. Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and the guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley, along with F-18 Super Hornets and MH-60 Sea Hawks.
Over forty-eight hours, the crews tackled everything from live-fire gunnery and complex formation maneuvering to air defense drills and simulated maritime interdiction.
Rear Adm. Cassidy Norman, commander of Carrier Strike Group 11, noted that the training was less about the equipment and more about the connection between the sailors.
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“Engaging with partners like Ecuador ensures that when the need arises, we can work together as a proficient warfighting team, built with trust and experience,” Norman said. He added that the high-seas training allowed both sides to sharpen critical skills while reinforcing an “already strong and enduring” relationship.
The engagement wasn’t strictly tactical. The USS Nimitz hosted a high-level delegation from Ecuador, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabriela Sommerfeld, Minister of Defense Giancarlo Loffredo, and Chief of Defense Gen. Henry Delgado. Joined by U.S. Charge d’Affaires Lawrence Petroni, the officials watched flight operations firsthand and met with Capt. Joseph Furco to discuss regional security.
This year marks the 11th time the Southern Seas exercise has moved through the region since it began in 2007.
The mission remains focused on countering maritime threats and fostering goodwill across South America. As the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group continues its journey around the continent, it is scheduled to conduct similar exercises with other partner nations, maintaining a steady presence in the Southern Hemisphere.
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