Chilean Navy AO-52 Almirante Montt begins Southern Mammoth deployment with the U.S. Third Fleet

The Chilean Navy has begun a new international deployment following the departure of the AO-52 Almirante Montt tanker. For the next four months, the vessel will operate with the United States Navy’s Third Fleet as part of the “Southern Mammoth” deployment. A farewell ceremony was held at Valparaíso’s breakwater and led by the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral Fernando Cabrera, who urged the crew to represent Chile professionally throughout this demanding mission.

AO-52 Almirante Montt to support the U.S. Third Fleet

The deployment will see the vessel operate in an area off the coast of San Diego, California, where it will carry out logistical support and replenishment at sea (RAS) duties for several U.S. Third Fleet units. Before sailing, the tanker’s commanding officer, Captain José Ignacio Pájaro, briefed naval authorities on the preparations undertaken over the past year. He outlined both the ship’s readiness process and the crew training required for an operation lasting more than one hundred days.

During the visit, the Navy’s senior command toured several areas of the ship, including the engine room, the tween deck and the mess areas, speaking with members of the crew before departure. In his final address, Admiral Cabrera encouraged the personnel to use the experience to broaden their operational knowledge, work to demanding professional standards and reinforce the Chilean Navy’s reputation on the international stage.

Chilean Navy logistical capability in Southern Mammoth

Regarding the importance of the deployment, the Commander of Naval Operations, Vice Admiral Daniel Muñoz, said it offers an opportunity to test the capabilities the service has developed through national exercises and operations, now in a multinational setting alongside one of the U.S. Navy’s principal fleets. Captain Pájaro, meanwhile, stated that the crew is highly motivated after an intensive preparation period, which included extensive maintenance at ASMAR Talcahuano that left the ship in optimal condition for the deployment.

He also noted that, during operations, the Almirante Montt will replenish aircraft carriers, destroyers, helicopter carriers and other U.S. naval vessels.

The AO-52 Almirante Montt tanker

The AO-52 Almirante Montt is one of the Chilean Navy’s foremost logistical assets. Added to the fleet after previously serving with the U.S. Navy as the USNS Andrew J. Higgins, this Henry J. Kaiser-class tanker displaces more than 40,000 tonnes and measures 206.5 metres in length. These characteristics enable it to supply fuel, cargo, provisions and other stores at sea.

In addition to operating helicopters and providing medical support capability, the vessel is a strategic asset that extends Chile’s maritime endurance and power-projection capacity, both for naval operations and for international co-operation missions and emergency assistance.