Maipo-class LST

The LST Maipo was built for the Navy of Chile by Asmar Talcahuano Industrial plant. This unit was built according to the plans of the "Batral" class of the Navy of France, prior agreement with the Government of that country, with a capacity to transport a company marine infantry completely equipped and capable of operating a light helicopter on her flight deck.

Her keel was laid in building stands on October 26, 1979. Ceremony christening and launch water took place on 26 September 1981, chaired by the Commander in Chief of the Navy and member of the Governing Board Honorable, Admiral José Toribio Merino Castro, being her godmother the Mrs Margarita Riofrío of Merino, who gave to the officers House a beautiful bulkhead clock. It was hoisted the national flag, on April 16, 1982, in a ceremony presided over by the Commander of the second zone Naval, Subrogante, ship captain Rai ° l Ganga Salazar.

The first departure was performed on May 18, 1982 to test machines. On July 26, 1982 she sailed to make evidence of stranding on beach Caleta Las Casas on Quiriquina island. On July 29, 1982, completed tests, it sailed to Valparaiso, calling the 30 day. Named it in commemoration of the battle of Maipú, in araucana language "Maipó", which means "Breaking ground". Its last Commander was the captain of frigate Edgardo Abarzua Fuentes, who led the spacecraft to its final destination, Talcahuano, departing from Valparaiso on December 14, 1998. She was decommissioned from active service in the Navy, given on 22 December 1998.

The ship LST 92 LST-92 "Rancagua" was built for the Navy of Chile by the industry of Asmar Talcahuano plant, according to the plans of the "Batral" class of the Navy of France, by agreement with the Government of that country. It was released on September 26, 1981 to water. She was baptised on 26 March 1982, being her godmother Lady Teresa Adriazola de Poisson, wife of the Chief of the State major General of the Navy, Vice Admiral Maurice Poisson Eastman. On 08 August 1983 it was officially delivered to the Navy and joined the service, subordinate to the Commander in Chief of the third Naval zone.

During its dependence on the Commander in Chief of the third Naval zone, it corresponded to actively participate in the various commissions, such as trips to the Chilean Antarctic Territory, construction of the cross of the seas at Cape Froward and various support tasks to the community throughout the national coastline. On 22 March 1993, after operating for 10 years in the southern seas, the LST 92 "Rancagua", he was transferred to the amphibious command and naval transportation, with seat in Valparaiso, unit that maintains the date.

The ship was one of the principal means available to the Navy to carry out amphibious operations and transporting marine infantry troops and in addition, serve for the transportation of cargo and passengers, tasks that have meant having to navigate along the coast, including the island possessions of Easter Island, island Sala and Gomez, Isla San Félix and Juan Fernández.

The LST-95 "Chacabuco" was built for the Navy of Chile by Talcahuano Industrial plant of Asmar. It was placed in construction stands on 06 April 1984 and released to water on August 16, 1985. This unit was built according to the plans of the "Batral" class of the Navy of France, prior agreement with the Government of that country. On May 27, 1986 the national flag was raised on the ship, in the dock of ASMAR Talcahuano. The ceremony was headed by the intendant of the VIII Region, Brigadier General Eduardo Ibáñez Tilleria and the General Director of the services of the Navy, Vice Admiral Sergio Sánchez Luna. Its first Commander was captain of frigate Alfredo Giuliano Ramirez. On 09 September of the same year, the marine infantry Legion gave the battle flag.

Since the date of incorporation into the service, it has depended on the Commander in Chief of the first Naval zone, subordinate to the amphibious command and naval transport. During his years of service, it has fulfilled various tasks within his role as amphibious transport, in operations in institutional and joint with other institutions of national defense and exercises combined in Unitas operations with the U.S. Navy. It has also provided a permanent support to the community, highlighting the transport of cargo and passengers to Robinson Crusoe Island, Easter Island and Region XII. For this last region, in 1995, during the "white earthquake", transporta 6,700 bales of grass destined for supporting the difficult situation that there are old with regard to sheep and goats. Up to April 2000 he had sailed 328.604 miles from Arica to Cape Horn and island territories equivalent to 15.1 turns to the world at the equator.