Southern Star: A Pillar of Special Operations Forces Training

Chilean-led Special Operations Forces (SOF) exercise Southern Star 2025 is set to start in Chile, May 24-June 11. In its 18th edition, the exercise features a strong multinational presence with 10 participating nations and 15 observer countries. Originally a binational training event between special forces of Chile and the United States, Southern Star has evolved to become one of Latin America’s most significant SOF exercises. The following images offer a glimpse of past exercises. A U.S. Force Recon Marine provides security for his teammates after running through a fast rope drill during exercise Southern Star in Antofagasta, Chile, July 21, 2016. (Photo: U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Osvaldo Equite)

Chile and U.S. Special Forces wait for a U.S. Army MH-60 Blackhawk to evacuate two simulated hostages during a training rescue operation as part of Southern Star in Antofagasta, Chile, July 22, 2016. (Photo: U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Osvaldo Equite)

Chilean Special Forces assault an objective and overrun opposing forces during joint combined training exercise Southern Star 2009 in La Posada, Chile. The United States, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil participated in Southern Star 09. (Photo: U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Felix A. Figueroa)

Chile and U.S. Special Forces ride off on a Chilean Army Humvee during a simulated rescue operation as part of Southern Star in Antofagasta, Chile, July 22, 2016. (Photo: U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Osvaldo Equite)

U.S. Army Green Berets from the 7th Special Forces Group and Chilean Commandos participate in a fast rope evolution as part of Southern Star, in Rancagua, Chile, July 26, 2023. (Photo: U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Christopher Caravello)

A Joint Terminal Attack Controller from Spain looks through binoculars on a range outside Antofagasta, Chile, during Southern Star, July 24, 2023. (Photo: U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Clayton Wear)

Visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) operations are conducted during exercise Southern Star, Quintero, Chile, August 24, 2022. U.S. Navy Seals and Chile Special Operation Forces boarded a ship with potential simulated threats as part of the joint maritime training. (Photo: SOCSOUTH/Facebook)

Chilean and U.S. Special Operations Forces work closely together during Southern Star 2018, in Antofagasta, Chile. (Photo: Chilean Army/SOCSOUTH Facebook)