Joint Special Operations Command participates in multinational exercise ‘Estrella Austral 25’ in Chile

• In this exercise, more than 1,800 military personnel from 23 countries train together to increase their interoperability

Within the framework of international cooperation and the strengthening of hybrid threat response capabilities, the Joint Special Operations Command (MCOE) is coordinating Spain's participation in the multinational exercise ‘Southern Star 25’, the largest international training activity in the field of special operations in the southern hemisphere.

This exercise, led by Chile's Special Operations Command and coordinated with the US Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH), is developed from 25 May to 9 June. This multinational activity is conducted under the command of the Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command (CFSOCC).

Spain is participating with 20 military personnel from the Army's Special Operations Command (MOE), the Air and Space Army's Parachute Sapper Squadron (EZAPAC), the Navy's Special Naval Warfare Force (FGNE), as well as military personnel from the MCOE itself.

In total, 1,868 military personnel from 23 countries are participating in the exercise, all with the common goal of increasing their interoperability through the execution of special operations in different operational environments, both urban and rural. Among other missions, those that include operational activities of infiltration and exfiltration, special reconnaissance and direct action stand out.

The operations are carried out from the Chilean town of Colina, with rapid projections towards other areas of the country. For this, different means of insertion and extraction will be used, such as tactical vehicles, fixed and rotary wing aircraft, as well as specific techniques such as High Altitude Low Opening (HALO), High Altitude High Opening (HAHO) and Fast Rope.

The Chilean Army's Special Operations Brigade provides the firing ranges and training facilities. It also includes Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capability evaluation exercises.

Finally, a Technical Agreement signed between the Ministries of Defence of Chile and Spain ensures the effective support and execution of this exercise, which is part of the SOCSOUTH campaign to strengthen regional capabilities in special operations. Chile, as host nation of the exercise, facilitates the logistical support, interoperability and tactical projection of the participating forces.