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    US, Chile SOF partner during exercise Southern Star

    US, Chile SOF partner during exercise Southern Star

    Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Osvaldo Equite | Chile and U.S. Special Operations Forces notable performers during exercise Southern...... read more read more

    ANTOFAGASTA, AN, CHILE

    07.28.2016

    Story by Staff Sgt. Osvaldo Equite 

    Special Operations Command South

    ANTOFAGASTA, Chile – Multinational Special Operations Forces from Chile and the U.S. completed exercise Southern Star on July 28, 2016 amid Antofagasta, Chile’s arid desert plains and mountain sights along the Pacific coastline.

    The Chilean led exercise, commonly known as Estrella Austral in Spanish, is a capacity-building exercise that culminates months of training between Special Operations Command South assigned forces and their Chilean counterparts to enhance interoperability and build relationships among both countries’ militaries.

    Training included subject matter expert exchanges and combined training exchanges in mountaineering, airborne operations, medical training, logistical and air support, weapons, and close quarters combat integration to name a few.

    This year, Southern Star 2016 set the stage for forces to integrate in a combined joint environment at the operational and tactical level during a 10-day simulated scenario in one of the world’s driest desserts.

    “Militaries need to train constantly to maintain operational capacity,” said Chilean army commander, Gen. Humberto Oviedo. That is why a fictitious scenario was developed where SOF forces can share their expertise, their experiences, their techniques, and most importantly, get to know each other and build rapport, he added.

    “Partnership is the foundation of our participation in Southern Star,” added U.S. Army Col. Reginald Bostick, SOCSOUTH deputy commander. Through partnerships like this, SOF share best practices, and communicate better with each other to develop lasting relationships that support peace, security and stability in the region.

    About 130 U.S. Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines assigned to SOCSOUTH integrated with their counterparts to exchange capabilities and experiences unique to SOF. One U.S. Air Force MC-130J and two U.S. Army MH-60 Blackhawk aircraft provided transportation support and additional training opportunities for exercise participants.

    “This exercise not only demonstrates [the relationship we have with Chile] and demonstrates the best of our capabilities, but it sets the stage for future partnerships,” said Bostick.

    The Chilean Defense Minister, José Antonio Gómez, and the U.S. Ambassador to Chile, Michael Hammer, were among the many senior officials that visited exercise locations and met with exercise participants.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 07.28.2016
    Date Posted: 08.03.2016 12:30
    Story ID: 205945
    Location: ANTOFAGASTA, AN, CL

    Web Views: 733
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN