U.S. Military Preparations in South America

November 19, 2008

From October 26th through November 7th, integrated military exercises with airmen from the United States and airmen from Chile, Argentina, Uraguay and Paraguay took place in South America.

The U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) organized the exercises, called "Operation Southern Partner," to provide military training and to increase the ability of U.S. military forces to engage in joint operations. According to Lieutenant General Norman R. Seip, "The goal is to provide expertise to host nation Air Forces on the flightline, in the back shop, on base and in the community while building and strengthening partnerships between professional Airmen."

Field exercises took place and Air Force experts taught classes on subjects including intelligence gathering, search and rescue, command-and-control, and public affairs.

"Operation Southern Partner" follows military exercises between U.S. naval forces in coordination with navies from multiple countries in Latin America and the Caribbean which ended in October. The 6-month long series of military-to-military exercises circumnavigated South America.

Increasing U.S. military preparations mean an increased danger of U.S.-led armed interventions and wars in the region.