As part of the redeployment of special forces participating in the combined joint exercise Estrella Austral 2025, a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft arrived on June 6 at Cerro Moreno Air Base, in Antofagasta. Its mission was to carry out the return of U.S. special forces personnel who took part in operations conducted in northern and southern Chile over the course of 14 days.
The redeployment operation was carried out in a coordinated and secure manner alongside the Base Operations Group of the 5th Air Brigade, marking the official conclusion of the exercise from both logistical and operational standpoints. The departure of the U.S. contingent aboard the C-130 not only signifies the end of the tactical activities carried out in the field, but also the continuation of the commitment between Chile and the United States in terms of interoperability, joint training, and combined response to crisis scenarios.
During their stay in the country, U.S. special forces actively participated in multiple maneuvers alongside units from the 1st and 5th Air Brigades, under an operationally demanding scenario that included insertion, infiltration, special reconnaissance, and medical evacuation missions. These activities were carried out in close coordination with Chilean personnel, promoting doctrinal integration and the combined use of air, naval, and ground assets.
Exercise Estrella Austral 2025 involved over 2,700 personnel from Chile, the United States, Spain, Argentina, Colombia, and Paraguay. The exercise covered a stretch of 3,700 kilometers, with simultaneous deployments from the Tarapacá Region to Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica. A total of 67 ground vehicles, 42 aircraft, and 4 naval units participated in a joint planning effort that included 28 specific objectives.
Throughout the exercise, 37 tactical actions were executed, distributed among 20 direct action missions, 15 special reconnaissance operations, and 2 non-combatant evacuations. In addition, 193 air operations were conducted, of which 99 were carried out by national assets and 94 by U.S. aircraft. Among the most notable actions were 14 paratrooper drops, 9 infiltrations, and 2 medical evacuations under simulated operational conditions.
One of the most prominent operations was carried out by a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules, which conducted paratrooper drops of Chilean Army personnel in the Arenales area, Antofagasta Region, as part of a daytime airborne operation with full gear. This activity included participation from troops of the Special Mountain Group and the 1st Paratrooper Battalion “Pelantaru,” integrating joint deployment capabilities in extreme environments. In addition to the C-130s, the U.S. Air Force operated strategic transport platforms such as the C-5M Super Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III, as well as aircraft intended for special operations, including the MC-130J Commando II and the U-28A Draco.
*Image credits: Chilean Air Force.
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