INTERVIEW | Chile and the U.S. Strengthen Interoperability of Special Forces

With the aim of enhancing interoperability among special operations units and improving preparedness for complex scenarios, Chile will host the 18th edition of the Southern Star Exercise starting May 24. This operational-level bilateral event, which reflects the long-standing security partnership between Chile and the United States, has established itself as one of the most significant special forces exercises in Latin America.

Southern Star began in 2007, led by the U.S. Army, as part of a bilateral agreement between the special forces of Chile and the United States. Since then, it has evolved from a bilateral training exercise into a large-scale multinational event.

Since 2009, the organization of the event has been managed by the Chilean Joint Chiefs of Staff (EMCO), with support from the U.S. Southern Special Operations Command (SOCSOUTH), and its execution falls under the Special Operations Command (COPE). This Command, activated in December 2020, is the highest readiness and availability unit of the Chilean Army, focused on both sovereignty defense and emergency and disaster response.

In previous editions, military personnel from Brazil, Colombia, Spain, Mexico, Paraguay, and the United Kingdom, among others, participated. These committed partners regularly train together, enhancing their interoperability to effectively combat common adversaries. Initially, the exercise focused on basic operations, but over time it has incorporated advanced technologies, new participating countries, and a more sophisticated approach, in line with the evolution of common threats.

For example, in the 2023 edition, more than 1,700 personnel from Chile, the United States, and Spain participated. Operations such as coastal insertions, high-altitude jumps, and maritime boardings were conducted over 4,000 kilometers, all within the framework of a fictitious peace enforcement scenario under a United Nations (UN) mandate.

Additionally, the 2023 edition mobilized 35.4 tons of cargo across nearly 20 operations, including 150 parachute drops and 330 flight hours. These figures reflect the magnitude and complexity of the training.

Colonel Davor Versalovic of the Army, head of the Chilean planning team in 2023, stated during the closing of that edition that: “the balance is absolutely positive. We have deployed our training, developed new capabilities, and most importantly, we are more interoperable and strengthening our professional ties with friendly countries.”

Planning and Logistics

In mid-April 2025, the Final Planning Conference was held, where logistical and operational details of the exercise were finalized, as reported by SOCSOUTH on its social media.

Previously, in March, the Chilean Army Aviation Brigade and the U.S. Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment led a Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE). During this meeting, key topics such as airspace control, command relationships, and procedures for rotary-wing aircraft were discussed, according to EMCO.

What’s Next

The 2025 edition will involve SOCSOUTH and its Chilean counterparts, including the Army Special Operations Command, the Lautaro Special Operations Brigade, the Aviation Brigade, and the Intelligence Brigade, along with various logistical support units. Units from the Chilean Air Force and Navy will also be integrated, along with delegations from invited allied countries.

The exercise will take place in various regions of the country, from the north to the far south, including the Antofagasta region, the Metropolitan region, Rancagua, and the Magallanes region. These scenarios will allow for the simulation of operations in diverse contexts such as deserts, maritime environments, mountains, and urban areas, testing the preparedness and capabilities of the participating forces.

Practice versus Theory

“In the realm of special forces, having a real exercise in the field is much more important than reading 10 books of theory,” said in an interview with Dialogue John Griffiths, Army General (Ret.) and head of security and defense studies at the Chilean research center AthenaLAB. “Southern Star is a unique opportunity for our Special Forces to train in such a particular and diverse territory as Chile, and for the invited countries to adapt to these scenarios.”

He also emphasized the balance between advanced technology and traditional skills. “Chile values the technological deployment of U.S. forces in open spaces like the Chilean desert. However, this exercise also highlights the importance of maintaining basic competencies, such as navigation by the stars, ensuring a balance between technology and essential training.”

For his part, Guillermo Holzmann, defense analyst and academic at the University of Valparaíso, underscored to Dialogue the importance of the exercise in the contemporary context. “Southern Star is fundamental for developing tactical capabilities of precision, speed, and deployment in hostile scenarios. This includes threats from terrorist groups to organized crime, strengthening the sovereignty of the participating countries.”

Holzmann also noted that the exercise allows for the evaluation of the alignment of Chile’s military doctrine with the needs of the state and its collaboration with foreign forces, following international standards such as those established by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Southern Star 2025 promises to be a more ambitious and visible edition than previous ones. This exercise not only enhances the preparedness and capabilities of Chilean and U.S. Special Forces but also allows them to act as force multipliers by strengthening international cooperation, positioning Chile as a key player in regional defense collaboration.

The event will further demonstrate the commitment of Chile, the United States, and their allies to security, sovereignty, and peace in the region, highlighting the relevance of joint training in the face of contemporary challenges.