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Aspirantex 2017, a major exercise of the Brazilian Navy, launched on January 12, 2017 from naval base Rio de Janeiro comprised of Task Group 701.1. Approximately 2,000 troops were deployed on six ships and multiple Brazilian Navy aircraft including helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
This training exercise is just one of many that the Brazilian Navy organizes throughout the year. During this year's Aspirantex, 203 Naval Academy candidates advanced in their training after experiencing the rigors of a real world deployment that put their academic learning to the test.
The participating units engaged in multiple readiness exercises including troop deployments, damage control, use of illumination flares, daytime tactical maneuvers, light load transfer, night transfer between ships, astronomical navigation, submarine attack simulation, air operations and fast rope with insertion of Combat Divers. After days of intense training, the Task Group entered international waters and was divided into two groups. One set a course for Mar Del Plata (Argentina) and the other to Montevideo (Uruguay), thus carrying out the second phase of the exercise which was to accomplish a visit to an international port. On January 23 the third and last phase began, which was to return to Rio de Janeiro.
On the transit back to Rio de Janeiro, the crews carried out exercises to hone the reaction times of each ships' crew. Each ship practiced a variety of casualties including gyroscopic failure, loss of steering, sailing without communications or radar (without emitting electromagnetic waves), firefighting and flood contol.
Before arriving back in Rio de Janeiro, the ships docked at two ports in the state of Santa Catarina (Itajaí and São Francisco do Sul). During the stay, a sabotex (onboard safety test) training evolution took place. This exercise realistically simulated an infiltration by an unauthorized person on the ship in order to cause damage or incapacitation. (continued on Page 98)
LIST OF PARTICIPATING SHIPS
Cv Barroso V34 (Corvette)
NDM Bahia G40 (Amphibious transport dock)
NDCC Almirante Sabóia G25 (Tank landing ship)
NT Almirante Gastão Motta G23 (Fleet tanker)
F-46 Greenhalgh (Type 22 Frigate)
F-49 Rademaker (Type 22 Frigate)
S-30 Tupi (Type 209 Submarine)