Simulated assault and rescue operation in the ‘Estrella Austral 2023’ exercise

• Chile, the U.S. and Spain bring together land, air and amphibious assets and units

The ‘Estrella Austral 2023’ joint combined exercise that is taking place in Chile has moved into the operations implementation phase in a scenario  where a fictional country suffers a great social depression and constant sabotage by a paramilitary group.

The purpose of the Special Operations Units (UOE in Spanish), with the collaboration of the country’s National Police, is to carry out different missions, from capturing members of paramilitary groups to localisation and destruction of weapons and ammunition illegally purchased by these groups, as well as releasing hostages kidnapped by these criminals, whose objective is to weaken the elected government of the country of ‘Sotelo’.

Three teams of the Spanish UOE have been involved in three different operations. The Parachute Sapper Squadron (EZAPAC in Spanish) team carried out the terminal guidance of Chilean aircrafts to neutralise an ammunition and weapons depot from the paramilitary group in the region of Antofagasta. At the same geographical area and at an altitude of 3,800 metres, the Special Operations Command (MOE in Spanish) team, together with the Chilean Mountain Warfare Special Operations team, took part in an action of arrest of paramilitary groups, restoring the stability lost due to illicit activities of this paramilitary group to this region.

In Valparaíso, the Special Naval Warfare Force (FGNE in Spanish), together with Chile’s Army, took an active role in the raid on a ship where an important cache of paramilitary weapons used in oil exchange was found.