U.S. Southern Command annually sponsors a wide range of multinational exercises to strengthen regional partnerships and collective capabilities we believe are integral to U.S. national security and the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere. 

The SOUTHCOM exercises increase the capabilities of both the U.S. military and our partner nations security forces. Exercise scenarios include: maritime security, peacekeeping, counterterrorism, illegal migration, illicit trafficking, disaster preparedness and relief, and humanitarian assistance.

As a result of participating in these exercises, U.S. forces and partner nation security personnel gain an increased ability to work together to better confront regional threats.

The following is a summary of SOUTHCOM’s exercises:

Security, Illegal Migration and Illicit Trafficking Exercises

One example of this type of multinational maritime exercise is TRADEWINDS, which addresses transnational security threats in the Caribbean.  Recent TRADEWINDS exercises have been crafted to provide Caribbean nations training for the security requirements required for major events, including the 2007 World Cricket Cup held in the region. 

Another multinational security exercise sponsored by SOUTHCOM is the annual FA PANAMAX, which focuses on the defense of the Panama Canal, one of the world’s most strategically and economically crucial waterways. This exercise involves numerous countries from the region, as well as other countries that are users of the canal.  The exercise is designed to improve the interoperability of the military and civil forces of concerned nations to assist Panama to protect and guarantee safe passage through the canal and ensure its neutrality.  The historically maritime-focused exercise, now includes ground, air, and special operations components and is one of the largest multinational military training events in the world.

2009 marked the 50^th iteration of UNITAS Gold, the longest-running multinational maritime training exercise in the world. The annual U.S. Southern Command-sponsored naval exercise took place off the coast of Jacksonville, Fla. from April 20 – May 7.  UNITAS, Latin for “unity,” represents nearly a half century legacy of naval cooperation in the Western Hemisphere.  Since 1960, the annual exercise series has brought together militaries in the region to improve capacity to address common security challenges.

Peacekeeping Exercises

SOUTHCOM sponsors Peacekeeping (PKO) exercises that provide readiness and training opportunities for the U.S. military and the forces of participating nations to improve capabilities to participate in United Nations multinational peacekeeping operations. Military members share peacekeeping experiences to develop and practice PKO doctrine and rules of engagement. Exercise scenarios allow for the exchange of ideas and the opportunity to review lessons learned in preparation for participation in an actual PKO operation.

Counterterrorism Exercises

Another example of multinational exercises is Fuerzas Comando, which enhances the regional cooperation, training, and readiness of special operations forces in counter-terrorism tactics, techniques, and procedures.

Disaster Relief Exercises

SOUTHCOM sponsors disaster preparedness exercises, seminars and conferences to improve the collective ability of the U.S. and its partner nations to respond effectively and expeditiously to disasters.  The Fuerzas Aliadas Humanitarias (FA HUM) exercise series allows an opportunity for U.S. and partner nation’s security forces to train together to prepare for natural disasters.  The exercise improves regional information sharing and capability to provide humanitarian relief during disasters. 

For more on SOUTHCOM disaster relief efforts and recent missions, go to the Humanitarian Assistance mission page. 

Humanitarian Assistance Exercises

Humanitarian assistance exercises such as the annual Beyond the Horizon (BTH) exercises are a major component of the command’s regional engagement efforts and afford the opportunity to train service members while providing needed services to communities throughout the region.

BTH exercises provide persistent U.S. regional support through assessment, construction, and sustainment activities over a three year period.  Construction projects normally include schools, clinics, community centers, water wells, and other quality of life enhancement facilities for the host nation.  At the same time, medical readiness exercises involving teams consisting of doctors, nurses and dentists provide general and specialized health services to host nation citizens requiring care. Each BTH exercise lasts several months.  In addition to BTH exercises, SOUTHCOM executes two New Horizons (NH) exercises per year.  These exercises mirror the BTH exercise series, but are one year/single phase engagements.  Both BTH and NH exercises generally take place in rural, underprivileged areas. SOUTHCOM attempts to combine these efforts with those of host-nation doctors, either military or civilian, to make it even more beneficial.

The command also sponsors a series of Medical Readiness Training Exercises (MEDRETEs).  During these exercises, a small team of military medical professionals deploy for two weeks in underprivileged areas in the region to get valuable real-world training while also providing medical services to citizens in need of treatment.  Typically, the command conducts more than 60 MEDRETEs that treat more than 200,000 people annually. A portion of the MEDRETEs are embedded in BTH and NH exercises each year.

Additional information on humanitarian exercises and programs is available on the Humanitarian Assistance mission page. 

Overview of 2009 Exercises   Security Exercises   The Bahmas hosted TRADEWINDS 2009 (March 4 -18) in which 17 countries enhanced their forces’ ability to conduct maritime interdiction ops, search & rescue missions and deal with other security threats.  (See more on Tradewinds 2009)   UNITAS Gold (April 20 – May 7). Twenty-five ships and 6,500 personnel from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay took part in the maritime exercise that included scenarios addressing electronic warfare, anti-air warfare and air defense, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and maritime interdiction operations.  UNITAS Gold was the 50th iteration of the exercise series which began in 1960.  (See more on UNITAS Gold 2009)   Fuerzas Aliadas PANAMAX (Sept. 11 - 22). Included 30 ships, a dozen aircraft and 4,500 personnel from 20 nations. The exercise included sea and land-based training focused on defense of the Panama Canal.  (See more on FA PANAMAX 2009)   Southern Exchange 2009 (July 13 – 31).  The exercise was held in Brazil and included about 1,000 Navy and Marine Corps personnel from seven nations.  Southern Exchange 2009 focused on peacekeeping, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.  (See more on Southern Exchange 2009)   Peacekeeping Exercises   Peacekeeping Operation (PKO) North (June 2008).  Hosted by Nicaragua and included participation of 23 nations.  The command post exercise, which was conducted in a classroom setting, enhanced readiness of participating units in joint multinational and UN-sponsored peacekeeping operations.  (See more on PKO North)   Counterterrorism Exercises   Fuerzas Comando (June 17 - 24) was held in Brazil with 21 nations involved.  More than 300 military, law enforcement and civilian personnel took part in the military skills competition, which promoted military-to-military relationships, increased interoperability and improved regional security. (See more on Fuerzas Commando 2009)   Disaster Relief Exercises   Fuerzas Aliadas Humanitarias (April 16 - 25). The exercise brought together civilian, government and military expers from 25 nations to concentrate on improving regional responses to natural disasters.  (See more on FAHUM 2009)   Humanitarian Exercises   Beyond the Horizon (March through September). U.S. military personnel deployed to Colombia, Dominican Republic and Jamaica to conduct comprehensive humanitarian assistance exercises.  As part of the Beyond the Horizon program, troops specializing in engineering, construction and health care provided services to communities in need while receiving valuable training and building important relationships with partner nations. (See more on Beyond the Horizon 2009 exercises)   New Horizons Guyana (July – August).  Nearly 650 U.S. troops provided medical care, built a clinic and a school and renovated another school. (See more on New Horizons-Guyana)   Medical Readiness Training Exercises (MEDRETEs) were held in 18 nations, with more than 60 U.S. military medical teams providing care to 235,000 patients (some MEDRETEs were embedded in Beyond the Horizon/New Horizons exercises).