The Chilean Army and U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command (USAWHC) strengthened their geospatial capabilities and interoperability during a three-day exchange in Santiago, Chile, focused on how geographic information and data collection can support operational and tactical planning.
Geospatial experts from the Chilean Army’s Military Geographic Institute and USAWHC’s 512th Engineer Detachment Geospatial Planning Cell, G-37 Engineer Directorate, and G-2 Intelligence Directorate tool part in the Geospatial Tactical Workshop and Subject Matter Expert Exchange September 1-3.
The workshop followed agreements established during the 20th Bilateral Army Staff Meeting between the Chilean and U.S. armies in 2025 and focused on improving integrated capabilities for geospatial data acquisition, as well as collaboration and knowledge sharing between the two armies.
By sharing current tactical geospatial processes and examining how each army employs these capabilities, participants worked to improve interoperability and their ability to integrate geospatial information during combined operations.
“Workshops like this are essential to strengthening interoperability and building a shared understanding of how geospatial engineering and geographic information system capabilities support operations at both the operational and tactical levels,” said U.S. Army Major Alfredo Carrillo, officer in charge of the 512th Engineer Detachment Geospatial Planning Cell. “By bringing together geospatial experts from the Chilean Army and the Instituto Geográfico Militar, we are able to share knowledge, better understand each other’s capabilities, and identify opportunities to better integrate our geospatial efforts. Ultimately, these exchanges strengthen partner capacity and help ensure we are better prepared to operate together across the Western Hemisphere.”
Throughout the exchange, participants examined ways to integrate geospatial assets and information more effectively. Discussions included tactics, techniques, and procedures for unmanned aircraft systems reporting and visualization, request-for-information processes, and data collection methods using both unmanned aircraft systems and ground-based collection.
Integrating information collected from different sources can help forces develop a common operational picture, giving commanders and planners greater situational awareness while improving their ability to share information during combined operations.
The exchange also provided a foundation for continued geospatial collaboration between the Chilean and U.S. armies, with future engagements expected to build on the processes and capabilities examined in Santiago.
