Chilean Armed Forces showcase interoperability in joint exercise Tormenta 2023.

As reported by El Pinguino on November 13, 2023, the Chilean Air Force (FACh) concluded its involvement in the Joint Operations Exercise "Tormenta 2023," an initiative led by the Joint Chiefs of Staff (EMCO). The exercise aimed to assess the capabilities and interoperability of the Chilean Armed Forces across the national territory.

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Chilean F-5s, F-16s and E-3D Sentry AWACS flying in formation during the Tormenta 2023 joint exercise (Picture source: Chilean Air Force)

The planning, coordination, and leadership demonstrated by the Command Posts and Task Forces enabled Tactical Units to execute assigned missions in diverse scenarios, ranging from the Arica and Parinacota Region to the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctic Region.

From November 6 to 10, 2023, military aviators and aviation commandos were deployed, alongside a range of flight equipment, including F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-5 Tigre III, and A-29 Super Tucano fighter aircraft, combat support KC-135E Stratotanker and C-130 Hercules, early warning E-3D Sentry AWACS, and helicopters such as MH-60M Black Hawk and Bell 412.

The coordination and professionalism of the Armed Forces personnel allowed the establishment of Command Posts and Task Forces, utilizing technological tools to control planned actions across different scenarios.

The training covered Airborne Tactical Command and Control missions, employing aircraft like F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-5 Tigre III, E-3D Sentry, and a Space Cell to control airspace and the space environment.

Under the supervision of the Department of Operational Safety and Environmental Affairs (SOMA), specialists from the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Service (SSEI) conducted a simulated response to a Hazmat emergency, activating procedures to control the spillage of hazardous materials.

'Tormenta' is an annual strategic-level exercise coordinated by EMCO. Its purpose is to train, test, and demonstrate the interoperability capabilities of the Chilean Army, Navy, and Air Force within the framework of a fictional scenario. This edition increased efficiency among participating forces, providing an opportunity for experience exchange and improvement of joint planning, organization, and conduct processes.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (EMCO) initiated the Tormenta 2023 exercise on November 6, 2023, in the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctic Region. This exercise involves personnel and assets from the Army, Navy, and Chilean Air Force (FACh).

Running until November 10, the exercise aimed to verify the planning, conduct, and command and control processes of the forces in the Joint Southern Theater of Operations (TOAC). It featured units from the 5th Army Division, Third Naval Zone, National Squadron, Amphibious Command, and Naval Transport Command (Comanfitran) of the Navy, and the 4th Air Brigade of the FACh, among others.

EMCO annually develops a training program covering tactical and operational levels led by established joint commands in Punta Arenas (Southern Joint Command) and Iquique (Northern Joint Command). Tormenta 2023, under the Southern Joint Command, prepared ground, naval, and air components, contributing to increased interoperability and training levels of National Defense institutions in the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctic Region.