Argentinean Submarine down - USN rescue team mobilised

[Trim Stab]

Pictures of the RAF A330 on the ground in Commodoro Rivadavia:

https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/201...y-uno-espanol/

The A330 was carrying "specialist latest generation submarine search equipment"

"equipos de detección submarina de última generación"

The RAF C-130 is apparently also on the ground in Commodoro Rivadavia, presumably with SPAG personnel.

"No es la primera nave británica que está en suelo argentino apoyando la búsqueda. Un Hércules C-130 se encuentra aquí desde el lunes con personal especializado en rescate. Según supo este medio, esta nave vino de las Islas Malvinas, algo que nunca había sucedido desde la guerra, en 1982."

[Trim Stab]

Originally Posted by AnglianAV8R

Which begs the question who fired the flares?

There can't be that many vessels around there. It certainly warrants proper investigation.

A lot of fishing vessels in the area, apparently.

[Basil]

Originally Posted by air pig

Thanks for that, now know why I'd never want to be a submariner, bad enough on a normal day, can't imagine how I'd be when ot all went wrong. Tips hat to the guys and girls on boats. Watching 'Das Boot' was bad enough and that was a drama.

Yes, liked that series; I was almost onside and I'm ex MN

Let's hope they've made it in time.

[Top Bunk Tester]

Here’s hoping for favourable conclusion for all concerned.

[Captivep]

Originally Posted by Trim Stab

Pictures of the RAF A330 on the ground in Commodoro Rivadavia:

https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/201...y-uno-espanol/

The A330 was carrying "specialist latest generation submarine search equipment"

"equipos de detección submarina de última generación"

The RAF C-130 is apparently also on the ground in Commodoro Rivadavia, presumably with SPAG personnel.

"No es la primera nave británica que está en suelo argentino apoyando la búsqueda. Un Hércules C-130 se encuentra aquí desde el lunes con personal especializado en rescate. Según supo este medio, esta nave vino de las Islas Malvinas, algo que nunca había sucedido desde la guerra, en 1982."

There's a C-17 right at the end of that footage too.

[Trim Stab]

Originally Posted by Captivep

There's a C-17 right at the end of that footage too.

Not RAF though. There are three USAF C-17s there, and a C-5.

https://www.elpatagonico.com/aviones...queda-n3049959

[Davef68]

Originally Posted by Captivep

There's a C-17 right at the end of that footage too.

probably USAF

[Trim Stab]

Interesting snippet in El Clarín:

"El buque noruego Sophie Siem zarpa con un minisubmarino de la Marina de EE.UU. a bordo para sumarse a la búsqueda del ARA San Juan. Unos 60 hombres trabajan para adecuar la estructura de la popa del barco."

So some 60 workmen are having to modify the deck of the Sophia Siem in order to load up one of the US rescue submarines - in other words the US assets are not fully ready for deployment.

Seems like SPAG are ready to deploy. One SPAG unit is on the Clyde, steaming from the Falklands. I would guess that the standby unit flew in on the A330 and are readying to deploy from the C-130 at CR.

[unmanned_droid]

Originally Posted by Trim Stab

Interesting snippet in El Clarín:

"El buque noruego Sophie Siem zarpa con un minisubmarino de la Marina de EE.UU. a bordo para sumarse a la búsqueda del ARA San Juan. Unos 60 hombres trabajan para adecuar la estructura de la popa del barco."

So some 60 workmen are having to modify the deck of the Sophia Siem in order to load up one of the US rescue submarines - in other words the US assets are not fully ready for deployment.

Seems like SPAG are ready to deploy. One SPAG unit is on the Clyde, steaming from the Falklands. I would guess that the standby unit flew in on the A330 and are readying to deploy from the C-130 at CR.

Those guys mustn't need ballast given their massive balls of steel.

Parachuting in bad weather and rough seas in to the middle of the ocean, to dive to the bottom and effect a rescue of people trapped in a submarine with only the kit they can carry. Insane and awesome.

[Wycombe]

Pictures of the RAF A330 on the ground in Commodoro Rivadavia:

Didn't take long for those to appear online.

Wouldn't be surprised if that nearly 16hr direct flight isn't a record for Voyager ops, or even for the A330 in general.

Great Circle mapper says that BZZ-CRD is 12,500km
Airbus website says max. range for the A330-200 is 13,450km

Good work.

[Heathrow Harry]

Doesn't the C5 normally carry the USN Rescue minisub?

Good to see everyone working together

[NutLoose]

Yes, agreed and I do hope they have a successful outcome and they are found alive.

I do like to see the UK being so proactively involved, a bit of positive news in the Argentinian press isn't a bad thing, let's just hope we all by pulling together save those poor souls.

[skua]

If there is any good to come out of this, it is that the episode has already brought former enemies closer. It is heartening to see the international defence community pulling together.

[Marcantilan]

Originally Posted by NutLoose

Yes, agreed and I do hope they have a successful outcome and they are found alive.

I do like to see the UK being so proactively involved, a bit of positive news in the Argentinian press isn't a bad thing, let's just hope we all by pulling together save those poor souls.

I think the only positive news from this event is all the countries are working together. All people here is very grateful (except the extreme left, of course, they are always crying)

Regards,

[Captain Radar....]

Originally Posted by unmanned_droid

Those guys mustn't need ballast given their massive balls of steel.

Parachuting in bad weather and rough seas in to the middle of the ocean, to dive to the bottom and effect a rescue of people trapped in a submarine with only the kit they can carry. Insane and awesome.

I'm not sure that's the idea. Admittedly when I went flying on a C130 out of Gib and the SPAG guys (and gals) were jumping out they were just practising the parachuting bit but my impression was that their aim was to provide medical assistance and succour to a submarine crew that had made it to the surface under their 'own steam'. They jump with boats and kit to enable 'first aid' support until rescue vessels arrive.
The magnitude of difficulty of leaping into the oggin with sufficient accuracy to dive down and find a submarine is mind boggling. Dropping to where the crew has bobbed up to surface must be hard enough.
Fingers crossed for a result, and thoughts go to the crew and their families.

[Lonewolf_50]

Marcantilan, thanks for the info on the EPIRB. (Keeping fingers crossed and prayers for the submariners ...)

Parachuting in bad weather and rough seas in to the middle of the ocean, to dive to the bottom and effect a rescue of people trapped in a submarine with only the kit they can carry. Insane and awesome.

Amen. Yeah, the good kind of crazy that all aviators can appreciate. (We seem to be infected with bits of that as well ...)

[Consol]

Great to see the USAF, N and RAF using their considerable expertise. I hope they can save lives and in the latter case reconciliation. Never leave a man to the sea.

[NutLoose]

Originally Posted by Marcantilan;99x66007

I think the only positive news from this event is all the countries are working together. All people here is very grateful (except the extreme left, of course, they are always crying)

Regards,

Thanks, I agree, saving lives in my opinion should always surpass any petty squabbles between countries, no matter how seriously viewed in any country, wars never solve anything.

[unmanned_droid]

Originally Posted by Captain Radar....

I'm not sure that's the idea. Admittedly when I went flying on a C130 out of Gib and the SPAG guys (and gals) were jumping out they were just practising the parachuting bit but my impression was that their aim was to provide medical assistance and succour to a submarine crew that had made it to the surface under their 'own steam'. They jump with boats and kit to enable 'first aid' support until rescue vessels arrive.
The magnitude of difficulty of leaping into the oggin with sufficient accuracy to dive down and find a submarine is mind boggling. Dropping to where the crew has bobbed up to surface must be hard enough.
Fingers crossed for a result, and thoughts go to the crew and their families.

Ok, that's still awesome.

[CAW]

Hello to you all. Long time, no posting here.

It´s really encouraging to read all these posts. Humor is not at its best here, as you may very well expect-

The efforts done by at least 4000 service-men of no less than 12 nations have not given us any good news yet.

Time´s expiring and almost 200 hours have already gone by since ARA San Juan last call on Wednesday 15 of November. A last minute "clue" is now being explored and we all hope here it might be "it".

Thanks. Marcantilan said the rest and I could not agree more with him.