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Fotografías de los ejercicios y
pruebas en Vieques
29 de enero de 2001
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Por Marta Villaizán Montalvo
A mi papá Miguel Villaizán
Hernández,
porque le duele "su" Vieques...
USS Iowa
(BB-61)
Fires a full broadside
of nine 16"/50 and six 5"/38 guns during a
target exercise near
Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, 1 July 1984.
Photographed by PHAN J.
Alan Elliot.
Note concussion effects
on the water surface, and 16.inch gun
barrels in varying
degrees of recoil.
Official U.S. Navy
Pothograph, from the Department of
Defense Still Media
Collection
Hace tiempo, una profesora me
dijo que a raíz de la invención de la cámara fotográfica la investigación
histórica se había convertido en algo más divertido. Por supuesto, en
aquel momento mi amiga estaba realizando un estudio sobre la arquitectura de
la ciudad de Ponce y nada mejor que tener fotografías de la época disponibles
para su trabajo. Sin embargo, la fotografía es algo más que diversión y
conveniencia. Es un instrumento adicional que permite al investigador
"ver" lo que dicen los documentos.
La imagen en una fotografía
puede provocar diversas emociones. Por ejemplo, la foto de un atardecer
en Mayaguez o de un hermoso paisaje de nuestras montañas causa un efecto de
paz y hasta cierta nostalgia. La fotografía de un ser querido fallecido
nos da mucha pena. La imagen de un acto heroico como la de aquel joven
cruzando el río durante el huracán con una niñita en sus brazos, provoca
nuestra admiración y respeto. No obstante, hay "otras"
fotografías. Son las que nos muestran una realidad que conocemos, una
verdad que leemos y escuchamos, pero que es en el momento que "vemos"
cuando verdaderamente sentimos una gran indignación y por qué negarlo, hasta
coraje.
Vamos a poner esa indignación a prueba. Lo siguiente son tres
fotografías del "Weapons Effect Test (WET)" del misil SLAM-ER realizada el 13
de enero del 2000 a 160 millas al norte de Roosevelt Roads y el comunicado de
prensa que lo acompaña:
_______________________
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
DATE: January 19, 2000
SLAM-ER Live Fire Makes Direct
Hit
A Standoff Land Attack
Missile – Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) made a direct strike last week on the
former USS DALE (CG 19), a decommissioned Leahy Class Cruiser at the Atlantic
Fleet Weapons Training Facility ranges out of Naval Station Roosevelt Roads
(NSRR), Puerto Rico.
The live
fire mission was conducted as part of the DD-21 Weapons Effect Test (WET). The
WET program is designed to help the Navy and naval shipbuilders design ships
with increased survivability against anti-ship missile attacks. This test
involved two separate events. The first in December followed by a key event in
January.
On December 17, a 500 lb.
WDU-40 SLAM-ER warhead was detonated in the aft portion of the ship. The DALE
was located on the South Range, approximately 75 miles south of Roosevelt
Roads.
Then on January 13, F/A-18
pilots fired a tactical SLAM-ER and made a direct hit into the forward portion
of the ship. SLAM-ER was chosen because of the missile’s ability to precisely
hit a pre-determined aimpoint on the ship. This event was off the North Range,
approximately 160 miles north of Roosevelt Roads. For both tests, over 180
sensors were placed throughout the ship to measure the level of damage
inflicted on the ship.
The missile was launched and
controlled by Lt. Russ "Beacon" McCormack. Lt. Keith "Squishy" Henry and Lt.
Scott "Squeeze" Topple flew in a second F/A-18 with a backup missile. All
F/A-18 pilots were from the Weapons Test Squadron at the Naval Air Warfare
Center, Weapons Division, Pt. Mugu, California. Mid-course updates of the
target ship location were transmitted to the missile while it was in flight.
This SLAM-ER capability allows it to engage moving targets from long standoff
ranges. SLAM-ER transmits infrared imagery that allows the pilots to lock-on
the seeker.
After the test, DALE was
cleared for tow back to NSRR by Naval Sea Systems Command, Salvage
representatives. Once at NSRR the damaged area of the ship will be thoroughly
studied and documented.
Este comunicado requiere un
análisis. En primer lugar el tipo de prueba es un "Weapon Effect
Test". En palabras sencillas, se dispara el misil para probar sus
efectos destructivos en el barco. En segundo lugar, se programaron dos
pruebas. La primera en diciembre de 1999 se llevó a cabo a tan sólo 75
millas al sur de Roosevelt Roads. Esto quiere decir que en dos ocasiones
la vida y propiedad de muchos puertorriqueños al Este de nuestra isla
estuvo en peligro y nadie lo supo. Por último, y no menos importante, es
necesario notar que en ambas pruebas se utilizó la bala "viva" justo en el
momento en que la Marina insistía en que todos los ejercicios en el Atlantic
Fleet Weapons Training Facility (AFWTF) se estaban haciendo con bombas
inertes.
Pero el SLAM-ER no es lo único
que se ha probado en Puerto Rico. Recientemente ha adquirido cierta
notoriedad el Phalanx Weapons System por la discusión a nivel internacional
del "Depleted Uranium (DU)". La producción del Phalanx comenzó en 1978
con capacidad de disparar 3,000 proyectiles DU por minuto. (Los modelos
más recientes disparan 4,500 por minuto). Según la documentación
consultada en 1988 se sustituye el DU por Tungsteno. No
obstante, dado el inventario existente se siguieron distribuyendo con
proyectiles DU hasta 1994. Para más información, ver: http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/factfile/weapons/wep/phal.html
Sobre la prueba en Puerto Rico
dice el Navsea Wire Service 99-09 (5 de marzo
de 1999):The Navy's Phalanx Block 1B weapon
system recently completed a highly successful surface mode technical
evaluation (TECHEVAL) aboard USS Underwood (FFG 36) at the Atlantic Fleet
Weapons Training Facility (AFWTF) in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico between Feb.
3 and Feb. 12. The operations consisted of day and night tracking
operations against high-speed boats, helicopters and light general aviation
aircraft. Day and night firing operations were conducted against remote
controlled surface craft and remote controlled half scale aircraft. All weapon
system requirements were exceeded with the Underwood's Block 1B operating well
above specifications. Testing demonstrated that there was no degradation to
Phalanx's primary anti-ship missiles defense mission.
Vean el "Phalanx" en
acción: http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/weaps/mk-15.htm
Impresionante,
¿verdad? Pero ya nada nos debe sorprender. Ahora bien, lo que sí
debemos hacer es preocuparnos, o mejor dicho "ocuparnos" de que la gente en
Puerto Rico, muy especialmente la gente de Vieques y del área Este conozcan la
realidad de lo que está pasando a su alrededor. Aunque parezca
increíble, muchos no lo saben. A modo de
ejemplo, tan reciente como esta semana recibí un mensaje de nuestro amigo
William Nemcik que reseña la protesta de un grupo de activistas españoles,
(Ecologistas en Acción), por la presencia en la Bahía de Cádiz de el
submarino nuclear norteamericano el Annapolis. El comunicado dice lo
siguiente: (fragmento)
ECOLOGISTAS EN ACCION EXIGE LA INMEDIATA EXPULSION DEL SUBMARINO
NUCLEAR ANNAPOLIS DE ROTA: Ecologistas en Acción considera
una auténtica provocación de la armada norteamericana y del Gobierno español
la presencia de un submarino nuclear norteamericano en la Base Naval de
Rota. El submarino nuclear Annapolis es la segunda vez que viene en los
últimos meses a Rota. La presencia de este submarino nuclear en la Bahía
de Cádiz está poniendo en riesgo a una población de más de 700,000 personas
que viven en un radio de 50km. de esta base naval.
Es inadmisible que el Gobierno español autorice
el atraque de un submarino nuclear en una base rodeada de importantes núcleos
de población, y donde no existe plan alguno de emergencia en caso de un
accidente o escape radioactivo. El desprecio de los Gobiernos español y
norteamericano por la salud de las personas y por el medio ambiente llega
a tal límite que ni han sido avisados los Ayuntamientos de la zona,
ni alertado a Protección Civil ante la presencia de una "central nuclear" en
medio de la Bahía de Cádiz. http://www.ecologistasenaccion.org/
La "U.S. Naval Station
Rota" en España fue construida por la Marina de los Estados Unidos por un
acuerdo con el Gobierno español a principios de la década de 1950.
Como toda base naval, allí entran, salen y se estacionan barcos, veleros,
submarinos, etc., y ciertamente me parece muy extraño que los amigos
ecologistas no tengan una idea clara de lo que allí sucede. (Ver,
"U.S. Naval Station Rota, Spain", en: http://www.fas.org/irp/facility/rota.htm ). La
Rota es la entrada al Mediterráneo y todo movimiento de navíos se
estaciona o pasa por allí en su ruta a Oriente. En ese aspecto, es
parecido a la base de Roosevelt Roads. Incluso compartimos con ellos el
mismo peligro con los submarinos que describen en su comunicado. La
única diferencia es que aquí además de estacionarse vienen a "jugar" a la
guerra.
El USS Annápolis (SSN-760)
que ellos mencionan es parte del USS George Washington Battle Group: http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/cno/n87/usw/issue_3/pullout/attack_subs.htm.
Junto al grupo ha participado en varios ejercicios que ya conocemos como
COMPTUEX, JTFEX y UNITAS y todos se han llevado a cabo en el AFWTF. No
obstante, el Annapolis no es el único submarino nuclear que nos visita
regularmente. Lo siguiente es una muestra:
The ballistic missile submarine USS
Maine (SSBN 741), one of the U.S. Navy's newest Ohio-class
submarines, conducts surface navigational operations approximately 50 miles
south of Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, Nov. 13, 1996. U.S. Navy
photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Michael J. Rinaldi [961113-N-8977R-001]
- Nov. 13, 1996 http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/images/imagesub2.html
A photographer's mate/diver films activities as a member of a Navy sea-air-land (SEAL) team enters the submerged nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine USS Woodrow Wilson (SSBN-624). SEAL team members are taking part in lockout procedures off the coast of Puerto Rico.
http://www.nip.org/hrp/Navysealsunder91.htm
Como pueden ver, nosotros
tenemos mucho de qué quejarnos y protestar en cuanto a las "visitas" y
presencia de submarinos nucleares en las costas de Vieques. Igual que en
La Rota, aquí tampoco existe un plan de emergencia en caso de un accidente o
escape radioactivo. No obstante, me atrevo a decir que nuestra situación
es mucho más difícil que la de los amigos de España. Aquí en Puerto
Rico los que se supone nos defiendan, son los mismos que nos
atacan.
Y las pruebas sobran... Lo siguiente
son fotografías que se encuentran en el Internet y he seleccionado las
que mencionan a Puerto Rico, Vieques, Roosevelt Roads y la costa Este.
Si alguno de ustedes tiene dificultad para verlas, puede ir directo al enlace
que aparece bajo cada fotografía.
____________________________________________________
An H-3 Sea King helicopter from Fleet
Composite Squadron Eight (VC-8) recovers a BQM target drone launched during a
recent training exercise off the coast of Puerto Rico. U.S. Navy Photo by
Photographer's Mate First Class Michael Rinaldi. [961210-N-8977R-001] December
10, 1996.____________________________________________________
A U.S. Navy SH-3H Sea King
helicopter hovers over the water to recover Explosive Ordnance Disposal
technicians climbing a ladder to the aircraft on March 17, 1997. Team members
from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobil Unit 2 and helicopter crews from Fleet
Composite Squadron 8 are practicing insertion and recovery operations off the
coast of Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. DoD photo by Petty
Officer 1st Class Michael Rinaldi, U.S.
Navy.____________________________________________________
Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians perform a static line
jump from C-130 Hercules aircraft over Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto
Rico, on March 17, 1997. Team members from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobil
Unit 2 are practicing various methods of insertion and recovery in the naval
station area. DoD photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Rinaldi, U.S.
Navy.____________________________________________________
A Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician jumps from a U.S. Navy
SH-3H Sea King helicopter into the water as his team mates watch from a combat
rubber raiding craft on March 17, 1997. Team members from Explosive Ordnance
Disposal Mobil Unit 2 and helicopter crews from Fleet Composite Squadron 8 are
practicing insertion and recovery operations off the coast of Naval Station
Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. DoD photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael
Rinaldi, U.S. Navy.____________________________________________________
Air Traffic Controllers update the aircraft status
board on board USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in the Caribbean, Aug. 12, 1998.
Enterprise is currently deployed to the Puerto Rico Operational area in
support of COMPTUEX '98. U.S.Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class
Tedrick E. Fryman III. [980812-N-3962F-002] Aug. 12, 1998.____________________________________________________
An SH-60B Seahawk attached to Light Helicopter
Anti-submarine Squadron 44 (HSL-44) launches an AGM-114 Hellfire
air-to-ground missile at a training target during Joint Task Force Exercise
1-98 (JTFX 1-98). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Mike
Larson. [970121-N-0000L-005] Jan. 21, 1998____________________________________________________
A Sea Sparrow missile is launched from USS
Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) toward aerial targets inbound from Puerto
Rico. Roosevelt conducted the missile exercise to test weapons
capabilites and crew readiness. The Sea Sparrow is a medium range,
all-weather, supersonic, surface-to-air guided missle capable of being
launched from most U.S. Navy surface ships. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's
Mate 3rd Class Donne' McKissic [981120-N-7280M-001] Nov. 20,
1998____________________________________________________
Staff Sgt. Gregorio Santoni checks the zero coordinates for his
section's M-198 155 mm howitzer, on Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, on Jan. 20,
1998, for Joint Task Force Exercise 98-1. More than 30,000 U.S. military
personnel are participating in the exercise which is testing joint forces on
their ability to deploy rapidly and conduct joint operations during a crisis.
All branches of the armed forces are training side-by-side using the latest
advances in technology in a simulated high-threat environment that involves
air, naval and ground operations. Santoni's unit, B Battery, 1st Battalion,
377th Field Artillery Regiment (Air Assault), Fort Bragg, N.C., will conduct a
joint, live fire exercise with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit of Camp
Lejeune, N.C. DoD photo by Spc. Gerald James, U.S. Army.____________________________________________________
A U.S. Marine from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit jumps into
the water from a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter during helocast exercises off
the coast of Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, on Jan. 20, 1998, for Joint Task
Force Exercise 98-1. More than 30,000 U.S. military personnel are
participating in the exercise which is testing joint forces on their ability
to deploy rapidly and conduct joint operations during a crisis. All branches
of the armed forces are training side-by-side using the latest advances in
technology in a simulated high-threat environment that involves air, naval and
ground operations. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit is from Camp Lejeune,
N.C. DoD photo by Spc. Gerald James, U.S. Army.____________________________________________________
Soldiers from B Battery ram a high explosive round into their
M-198 155 mm howitzer on Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, on Jan. 20, 1998, during
Joint Task Force Exercise 98-1. More than 30,000 U.S. military personnel are
participating in the exercise which is testing joint forces on their ability
to deploy rapidly and conduct joint operations during a crisis. All branches
of the armed forces are training side-by-side using the latest advances in
technology in a simulated high-threat environment that involves air, naval and
ground operations. B Battery, which is from 1st Battalion, 377th Field
Artillery Regiment (Air Assault), Fort Bragg, N.C., is conducting a joint,
live fire exercise with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit of Camp Lejeune,
N.C. DoD photo by Cpl. C.D. Clark, U.S. Marine Corps.____________________________________________________
The USS Normandy (CG 60) fires its five inch guns at the
training range on Vieques, Puerto Rico, on June 26, 2000. The Normandy is
deploying as part of the George Washington Battle Group on scheduled six month
deployment. The Ticonderoga class cruiser is home ported in Norfolk, Va. DoD
photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Shane McCoy, U.S. Navy. (Released) ____________________________________________________
An F-4 Phantom test aircraft from the Naval Weapons Test
Squadron at Point Mugu, Calif., heads out to conduct weapons tests with USS
Porter (DDG 78) near the Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. The
Phantom had just completed an in-flight refueling with an Air Force KC-135.
U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 1st Class David Rush. [990702-N-0879R-002] July
2, 1999.____________________________________________________
A RIM-7 Sea Sparrow radar-guided air-to-air
missile is fired from its launcher on board USS George Washington (CVN
73). The Navy uses the Sea Sparrow version aboard ships as a
surface-to-air anti-missile defense system. George Washington is
currently conducting Carrier Qualifications (CQs) in the Atlantic Ocean. U.S.
Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Johnnie Robbins.
[990924-N-5024R-001] Sept. 24, 1999.____________________________________________________
A RIM-7, NATO Sea Sparrow missile is fired
from the forward missile deck on board the amphibious assault ship USS
Wasp (LHD 1) during a missile training exercise, Aug. 12, 1999, near the
island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd
Class Brett A. Dawson. [990812-N-8629D-001] Aug. 12, 1999.____________________________________________________
The Caribbean Sea, Aug. 19, 2000 — An SH-60
Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Seven (HS-7,
the "Dusty Dogs") refuels from the guided missile destroyer USS
Mitscher (DDG 57) during training operations off Puerto Rico. U.S. Navy
photo by Master Chief Aviation Ordnanceman (AW/NAC) Jerry F. Daniels. Aug. 19,
2000. ____________________________________________________
Comparte esta información con tus amistades y ahora más que
nunca:
¡PAZ PARA
VIEQUES!
Marta Villaizán Montalvo
29/enero/2001