After a voyage of nearly 18 hours, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) completed its transit through the Strait of Magellan on Sunday, April 26, leaving the protected waters of the Fuegian channels to enter the Atlantic Ocean. The 333-meter-long behemoth, displacing 100,000 tons and carrying more than 5,000 crew members, is now sailing off the coast of Argentine Patagonia, marking the beginning of the most intense phase of Operation Southern Seas 2026 .

A millimeter-precise transit under Chilean escort

The passage through the Strait was meticulously coordinated by the Chilean Navy. According to the transit records, the attack group led by the Nimitz entered through the Evangelistas islets at the western mouth of the Strait at 11:00 PM on Saturday; passed Punta Arenas at 11:45 AM on Sunday and crossed the First Narrows (Punta Delgada) at 5:06 PM.

The aircraft carrier leaving the Strait of Magellan and entering the Argentine Sea.

Throughout the voyage, the aircraft carrier was escorted by the Chilean frigate “Almirante Blanco Encalada” (FF-15) and units from the Third Naval Zone (such as the PSH-77 “Cabrales” and the LSG-1625 “Ona”). A notable milestone was the participation of Chilean nuclear officer Natalia Tapia , who is part of the crew responsible for the reactors of the American ship.

Beyond the technical aspects, the departure of the Nimitz from the eastern mouth of the Strait (around 7:00 p.m. on Sunday) sent a powerful political message. While Chilean media emphasized their "effective and sovereign control" over the entire bi-oceanic passage—citing the 1881 and 1984 treaties—the Argentine perspective focuses on the jurisdiction of the waters at the eastern mouth, an area that has historically generated controversial interpretations. The image of the Nimitz silhouetted against the Eastern Mouth Lighthouse is not just a nautical postcard; it is a reminder of the strategic importance of this passage for global powers.

Operation in the Argentine Sea: Interoperability and "Mile 201"

Now, the focus shifts north. The Argentine Navy has prepared a highly complex deployment to receive the aircraft carrier in the waters of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) . The destroyers ARA “La Argentina” and ARA “Sarandí,” along with ocean patrol vessels, will participate in PASSEX exercises, which include:

The farewell in Mar del Plata

The itinerary anticipates that the highlight of the visit to Argentina will take place off the coast of Mar del Plata towards the end of April. There, "La Feliz" will witness visually stunning air and naval demonstrations before the 50-year veteran sets its final course for the northern hemisphere for its decommissioning in 2027.