The Ecuadorian Navy conducts joint military exercises with a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Pacific

The Ecuadorian missile corvettes BAE Manabí (CM 12) and BAE Loja (CM 16) conducted a bilateral training exercise with the Carrier Strike Group of the Nimitz in the Pacific Ocean on April 7 and 8, as part of the Southern Seas 2026 deployment of the U.S. Naval Command for the South/4th Fleet.

The exercise was announced this Thursday by the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and brought together units from both navies in a series of activities designed to enhance interoperability between the two naval forces.

The activities included exchanges of subject matter experts, simulated maritime interdiction scenarios, live artillery fire, formation maneuvers, and an air defense exercise.

On the U.S. side, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), the guided missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101), F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets, and MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 participated. Ecuador also deployed A-29 Super Tucano aircraft in the exercise.

This training is part of a growing cooperation between both countries. Recently, Ecuador and the United States conducted their first joint military operation on Ecuadorian soil, while the FBI opened its first permanent FBI office in Quito, signs of strengthened security ties between both nations.

It is noteworthy that the USS Nimitz is currently on its final operational cruise before being decommissioned in 2027. The aircraft carrier completed a route of approximately 12,400 nautical miles, too extensive for the Panama Canal, as part of this final deployment through waters of the Western Hemisphere.

Rear Admiral Cassidy Norman, commander of Carrier Strike Group 11, highlighted the strategic value of training: "Working with partners like Ecuador ensures that when the need arises, we can operate together as an effective combat team, built on trust and experience."

"Training at sea with the Ecuadorian naval forces gave us the opportunity to hone critical skills while we continue to strengthen a relationship that is already solid and enduring."