Although various details are still being finalized — which may vary depending on the availability of assets and personnel — the Special Operations Forces exercise Atlantic Dagger is shaping up to be one of the most significant military deployments carried out by the United States Armed Forces in Argentina. This is reflected in the list of assets that could participate in the combined operations between the military forces of both countries, framed within the strengthening of military relations at the political and defense levels, highlighting the possibility of the arrival in the country of a U.S. Air Force (USAF) AC-130J gunship, to name just one of the potential assets.
At present, there is no confirmed start date for the activities, which are being coordinated locally by the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Argentine Armed Forces (EMCO) and the Joint Special Operations Command (CCOE). These efforts stem from a bilateral agreement formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in March 2025 between Argentina’s CCOE and U.S. Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH).
Beyond these considerations, the potential deployment of high-value assets, personnel, and capabilities for the special operations community underscores the importance that both Argentina and the United States will attach to the Joint Combined Special Operations Exercise “DAGA ATLÁNTICA.”
According to official documentation, its purpose is to strengthen mutual trust, integration, and interoperability between the Special Operations Forces units of Argentina’s Joint Special Operations Command (CCOE) and U.S. Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH).
For this reason, the tentative list of U.S. assets — both those to be used in the exercise itself and those intended for the deployment of personnel and equipment to Argentine territory — is noteworthy.
Among them are aircraft that would transport up to four hundred (400) U.S. personnel, such as C-17 Globemaster III and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.
Also noteworthy is the presence of medium-lift UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, Oshkosh JLTV 4×4 armored transport vehicles, small craft for riverine operations, and — no less importantly — the possible presence of an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship, marking the first time an aircraft of this class would visit Argentina.
At the regional level, it is worth noting that this type of aircraft has already been employed in past exercises with countries in the region, most notably its presence in Chile as part of Exercise Estrella Austral 2023, joining a list of high-profile assets deployed in South America in recent years. It is also worth recalling its presence in Chile for the bilateral Southern Fenix 2024 exercise, which included HIMARS high-mobility rocket artillery systems, as well as the deployment of A-10C Thunderbolt II attack aircraft during 2023 in Peru.
Finally, as planning details continue to be refined, it should be noted that the presence of these assets has yet to be confirmed, taking into account the operational requirements of the U.S. Armed Forces in various regions of the world, which may alter the type and number of assets deployed to Argentina.
About the AC-130J Ghostrider
The AC-130J Ghostrider is the latest attack variant of the C-130J in service with the U.S. Air Force, continuing the lineage begun by the AC-130H/U, also known as “Spooky.” The new version incorporates the most recent technologies in communications systems, navigation, EO/IR sensors, avionics, and weaponry.
The Ghostrider has received the Precision Strike Package, a modular system that includes a mission management console, a communications suite, two electro-optical/infrared sensors, advanced fire control equipment, and a management system. In terms of offensive capability, the AC-130J features a 105 mm cannon, complemented by a 30 mm GAU-23/A cannon. These artillery systems are supplemented by a wide array of guided weapons, such as AGM-114 Hellfire and AGM-176 Griffin missiles, as well as GBU-39/B and GBU-53/B SDB II small diameter bombs.
The sensor package includes an AN/ALR-56M radar warning receiver, an AN/AAR-47(V)2 missile warning system, and an AN/ALE-47 countermeasures dispensing system. The AC-130J is also equipped with the LAIRCM infrared countermeasures system.
The C-130 “gunship” family was conceived to provide close air support to ground elements, as well as to conduct air interdiction missions in non-contested air environments. Early versions entered combat in Vietnam and later took part in various conflicts around the world.
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