Brazilian and US navies stage joint maritime drills in the Atlantic

The Brazilian and U.S. navies carried out a bilateral maritime engagement in the Atlantic Ocean May 12-13 as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Southern Seas 2026 deployment, focusing on increased interoperability.

Participating ships included Brazilian Navy Niterói-class frigate BNS Defensora (F 41), Inhaúma-class corvette BNS Barroso (V 34), and Riachuelo-class attack submarine BNS Humaitá (S 41), alongside U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) and Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).

Ahead of the at-sea training, Nimitz and Gridley visited Rio de Janeiro, where Nimitz hosted senior Brazilian military leaders for a reception recognizing the relationship between the two countries.

“Training alongside our Brazilian partners strengthened far more than tactical proficiency,” said Rear Adm. Cassidy Norman, commander of Carrier Strike Group 11. “Our crews exchanged valuable lessons and best practices in several areas, especially in anti-submarine warfare, while building the professional trust and personal relationships that underpin enduring maritime partnerships. Being able to call each other for coordination and assistance is invaluable to naval leaders serving nations as committed to partnership as ours.”

Training underway included communications drills, anti-submarine warfare training, maneuvering in formation, and air defense exercises.

While at sea, Nimitz hosted senior Brazilian government and military leaders, including Deputy Minister of Defense Joel Rodriguez, Commander of the Brazilian Navy Adm. Marcos Sampaio Olsen, and Commander of the Brazilian Army Gen. Thomas Miguel Mine Ribeiro Pavia, accompanied by U.S. Embassy to Brazil Charge d’Affaires Gabriel Escobar. The delegation met with Norman and Capt. Joseph Furco, commanding officer of Nimitz, to discuss the Southern Seas 2026 mission and the role of maritime cooperation in the alliance between Brazil and the United States. Visitors also observed flight operations and an air power demonstration from the flight deck.

The visit and bilateral training reflected the Southern Seas 2026 mission to strengthen existing regional partnerships and encourage new relationships through the exchange of maritime, mission-focused knowledge and expertise.

Southern Seas 2026 is the 11th iteration of the exercise, launched in 2007, designed to foster goodwill, strengthen maritime partnerships to counter threats, and build the U.S. Navy’s team alongside partner nation maritime services. During the deployment, the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is scheduled to conduct passing exercises and operations at sea with partner nation maritime forces while circumnavigating South America.

The strike group consists of Nimitz, Carrier Air Wing 17, Destroyer Squadron 9, and Gridley. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet serves as a trusted maritime partner for Caribbean, Central, and South American maritime forces, aiming to improve regional unity and security.