U.S. Army South Brig. Gen. Michael Eastridge, deputy commanding general, speaks to other military leaders during a briefing by Chilean Army General de Brigada III Mountain Division Commander Claudio Mardones Petermann at the opening ceremony for Exercise Southern Vanguard 25 in Los Angeles, Chile, Aug. 11, 2025. Exercise Southern Vanguard 25 underscores the U.S. Army’s enduring commitment to regional partnership as U.S. forces deploy to Chile to conduct combined mountain warfare, field, and command post training alongside Chilean forces, with participation from Argentina and Peru - strengthening interoperability, shared readiness, and mutual trust while advancing regional security and cooperation across the Western Hemisphere. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Sebastian Rothwyn)