Chilean Squadron to Join Operation

As part of an ongoing exchange between the 146th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Channel Islands and the Chilean air force, the two groups beginning Wednesday will participate in a large-scale military exercise involving all branches of the U.S. armed forces.

Some 6,000 service members are expected to participate in the operation, designed to simulate combat zones and test participants' ability to deploy, set up and operate during war.

The U.S. squadron and the Chilean Air Evac Squadron will be responsible for casualty treatment and evacuation.

Chilean participation stems from an exchange that began in 1995. Since then, the Channel Islands squadron has visited Chile several times to teach aeromedical evacuation procedures.

The exercise will run for one week.