The Oklahoma “Steel Warriors” of the 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment (1-14 FAR) deployed to the Atacama Desert, located in the Tacapacá region, with the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) to conduct artillery training operations with the Chilean army during Southern Fenix 24 (SF24) at Campo Militar Pozo Almonte, Aug. 27 through Sep. 6 2024.
SF24 is a multinational exercise which includes over 600 Chilean, Argentine and U.S. troops. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability for multi-domain operations and strengthen hemispheric cooperation and collaboration.
This exercise is the first time the HIMARS has deployed to the U.S. Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) area of operations. The exercise will culminate in a live fire event where the HIMARS and the Chilean’s Light Artillery Rocket System (LARS) will fire simultaneously at targets.
“The value in the integration between the United States and its partner forces is priceless,” said U.S. Army Maj. Adam Novo, the operations and training officer for the 1-14 FAR. “Working alongside the Chilean LARS allows us to understand the strengths and weaknesses of both systems, which will allow us to seamlessly operate together during future operations.”
POZO ALMONTE, TARAPACá, CHILE
09.04.2024
Video by Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Pietrantoni
U.S. Army South