US Forces Bolster Hemispheric Air Combat Readiness in Multinational Exercise Resolute Sentinel – Salitre 2026

ANTOFAGASTA, CHILE – Aircrews, aircraft, and support personnel from across the Americas have converged at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta for the launch of Exercise Resolute Sentinel – Salitre 2026, a critical multinational air combat exercise hosted by the Chilean Air Force (FACh). Kicking off on June 28, this fifth iteration of Salitre signifies a profound commitment to reinforcing hemispheric security, elevating combat readiness, and deepening trusted military partnerships that enable allied air forces to operate seamlessly in response to regional demands.

The United States’ participation is spearheaded by the 12th Air Force, Air Forces Southern (AFSOUTH), the air component of U.S. Southern Command. U.S. Air Force Col. Steven Cabrera, serving as the exercise commander, highlighted the transformative nature of such joint endeavors. “Exercises of this magnitude are where strategic partnership evolves into tangible capability,” stated Col. Cabrera. “Every sortie we execute together presents an invaluable opportunity to dismantle operational barriers and foster mutual learning, thereby establishing the crucial foundation for swift, coordinated decision-making when our nations require a unified response.”

Salitre is the inaugural event in a series of three major multinational exercises slated under Resolute Sentinel 2026, with subsequent phases scheduled for Brazil later this year during Exercise Tapio. This integrated approach aims to comprehensively advance regional integration and collective readiness across the entire Western Hemisphere.

This year’s Salitre showcases an expansive operational scope, involving diverse Air Force specialty codes and Texas Air National Guard personnel, alongside a formidable array of modern combat aircraft. Featured platforms include F-16 Fighting Falcons, MQ-9 Reapers, and U-28A Dracos, underscoring the integrated multi-domain capabilities essential for contemporary warfare.

Chilean Air Force Col. Juan Carlos Noce, the general coordinator for Salitre, emphasized the strategic importance of the event. “We consider this one of our most vital exercises and are honored to host every participating nation,” Col. Noce remarked. Throughout the two-week exercise, U.S. airmen will engage in intensive training alongside counterparts from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Paraguay within the challenging environment of the Atacama Desert. Col. Noce further elaborated on the suitability of the location, noting, “This region offers the dedicated airspace necessary to effectively train and challenge our combined combat forces.”

Since its inception in 2004, Salitre has progressively expanded its operational scenarios. Initially focused on air-to-air missions conducted in Iquique, the exercise has evolved into a sophisticated multi-domain event. Current scenarios now encompass complex crisis simulations, notably integrating a critical humanitarian component. In the coming weeks, participants will collaboratively execute demanding training scenarios covering combined air operations, airspace control, air superiority, ground force protection, civil support, and combat search and rescue.

Col. Cabrera concluded by defining success not by quantitative metrics like the number of sorties flown, but by qualitative outcomes. “At the conclusion of this exercise, our success will be measured by the depth of shared knowledge and lessons learned,” he affirmed. “If, in two weeks, every nation departs with enhanced capabilities, having integrated the optimal ideas, tactics, and operational strengths from our partners into their own frameworks, then we will have achieved our objective.”

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