In one of the most challenging environments of southern Chile, the imposing mountains of Antuco served as the backdrop for the combined exercise Southern Vanguard 2025, an international military operation that brought together more than 600 mountain troops from the armies of Argentina, Chile, Peru, and the United States for 20 days.
This multinational training exercise, which took place between August 11 and 29 in the Biobío region, was primarily intended to increase the troops’ winter combat capabilities and consolidate interoperability among participating countries. The activity was carried out within the framework of bilateral agreements between Chile and U.S. Army South and was led by the Chilean Army’s III Mountain Division, a unit specialized in operating in the most demanding terrain in the country.
The closing ceremony, held at Mountain Detachment No. 17 “Los Ángeles,” was led by Army General Javier Iturriaga del Campo, commander of the Chilean Army, and Major General Philip J. Ryan, commander of U.S. Army South. High-ranking military authorities from the invited nations and foreign delegations also participated in the ceremony.
This exercise had a clear purpose: to increase interoperability between the armies of partner countries at all levels of command, instruction, and training, and in the development of operations under combat conditions.
The operation involved units from the Chilean Army’s 17th Mountain Detachment, troops from the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division, a group from the Argentine Army’s 6th Mountain Brigade’s “Cazadores 6” Company, and a squad from the Peruvian Army’s Mountain School. For nearly a month, these forces worked side by side in tactical maneuvers, mountain life and movement, combat, and evacuation exercises, all under adverse weather conditions.
One of the keys to success was the initial training phase, developed by Chilean specialists from the III Mountain Division, who brought their foreign counterparts up to speed on fundamental knowledge and techniques, preparing the units to operate in winter mountain conditions.
“The search for interoperability was an ongoing challenge. It covered all the areas necessary to develop an exercise of this magnitude, both in terms of planning, operations development, and also in the large logistical and administrative deployment, capable of supporting the requirements of more than 600 men, habitability, machinery, equipment, and fuel, for almost a month in the field,” said Brigadier General Claudio Mardones P., commander of the III Mountain Division and director of the exercise.
As the days progressed, the soldiers not only faced the harsh weather, but also forged bonds that transcended uniforms and borders. Living together in the field, sharing rations, night marches, and conversations are part of an experience that is not limited to the technical or tactical, but rather values the human aspect.
“Most importantly, we forged friendships that transcend borders and will last beyond this exercise. That is the true value of Southern Vanguard, that is, in addition to training hard, building bonds of trust, brotherhood, and mutual respect. As noted at the opening ceremony, this exercise is not just about tactics or terrain, it is about the people we do it with, the values we share, and the brotherhood that unites us in peace and in crisis,” added Brig. Gen. Mardones.
In the words of Maj. Gen. Ryan, the exercise left a deep impression on each of the participants and reaffirmed the nations’ commitment to regional stability. “As we commemorate the conclusion of exercise Southern Vanguard 2025, I feel pride and a deep sense of accomplishment. Over the past few weeks, soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division trained side by side with soldiers from the Chilean Army’s III Mountain Division, along with allies from Argentina and Peru. In demanding mountain terrain and cold weather, they demonstrated exceptional cooperation, professionalism, and determination. Southern Vanguard is more than an exercise: It is a demonstration of our strong collaboration and shared commitment to security and stability in this hemisphere. With steep slopes, cold mornings, and narrow valleys, they proved that when we come together and work as one team, we are stronger and more capable.”
This was the second iteration of exercise Southern Vanguard, which, in addition to demonstrating the excellent level of preparedness of Chilean mountain troops, consolidates the III Mountain Division as a leading force on the international stage.
