Mexico’s Navy Rehearses for Independence Day Parade with More Than 3,000 Personnel

More than 3,000 Mexican naval personnel have rehearsed for the military parade marking the 216th anniversary of Mexico’s independence on Sept. 16.

At the Hermanos Rodríguez Autodrome, 3,156 members of the Navy took part in the inspection and practice. Women account for 30 percent of the contingent. The parade will begin at Mexico City’s Zócalo and end near the National Auditorium.

The Navy’s contingent will include 79 vehicles, 20 thematic units, seven vessels, 20 dogs and eight aircraft. Five of the aircraft are Texan and Mi-17 helicopters. Vice Admiral Ernesto González Archundia will command the column.

The parade will begin with motorcycles, followed by the monumental flag, naval schools, special forces, medical personnel, military and music bands, naval operations command and naval aviation. Naval aviation is marking the centenary of its creation this year.

For the first time, the Navy will display unmanned aerial vehicles developed by its Research and Technological Development Institute. Other exhibits will include integrated navigation systems, a surface radar, equipment designed to support ships, autonomous systems using artificial intelligence, a long-range drone and an autonomous surface reconnaissance vehicle.

Veterinary medical lieutenant Karla Ivette González, taking part for the second time, said naval dogs help maintain order by inspecting airports and maritime terminals. Their specialties include detecting narcotics and explosives.

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The canine units perform these kinds of duties with specialties in detecting narcotics and explosives.