Exercise CENTAM Guardian 2024
CENTAM Guardian 2024, hosted in Honduras and Costa Rica, is designed to build humanitarian assistance/disaster response capacity, enhance readiness to combat common threats in Central America, and promote cooperation.
Strengthening Partnerships: SOUTHCOM Commander Visits Argentina
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson visited Argentina April 2-6 where she met with Argentine President Javier Milei and senior defense leaders to strengthen the U.S.-Argentina defense partnership.
Southern Seas 2024: USS George Washington to Deploy and Engage with South American Partners
USS George Washington (CVN 73), along with USS Porter (DDG 78) and USNS John Lenthall (T-AO-189), are scheduled to conduct passing exercises and operations at sea with partner nation maritime forces during the "Southern Seas 2024" deployment.
SOUTHCOM Commander Testifies Before House and Senate Armed Services Committees
Info and resources on SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Laura Richardson's testimony before the House Armed Services Committee March 12, and Senate Armed Services Committee March 14.

LATEST NEWS AND RELEASES

Gen. Richardson Meets with President Milei, Defense Leaders in Argentina
USHUAIA, Argentina (April 4, 2024) – U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), is greeted by Argentine President Javier Milei. Richardson visited Argentina April 2-6 to foster dialogue and collaboration with the country's new government and defense leaders and underscore the long-standing commitment to enhancing the strategic partnership between both countries. (Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy Argentina)
April 6, 2024 - U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), visited Argentina April 2 - 6, 2024, where she met with Argentine President Javier Milei and senior defense leaders and took part in the U.S.-provided donation of a C-130H Hercules aircraft to the country’s air force.
U.S. 4th Fleet Announces Southern Seas 2024 Deployment
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Feb. 26, 2024) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) sails alongside the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in the Atlantic Ocean. Both ships, along with USNS John Lenthall (T-AO-189), will deploy to the U.S. Southern Command area of operations for U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Southern Seas 2024 deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nicholas A. Russell)
April 6, 2024 - The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) will deploy to the U.S. Southern Command area of operations over the next few months as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Southern Seas 2024 deployment.
Exercise CENTAM Guardian 24 begins in Honduras
Members of the Honduran military salute during the playing of national anthems during the opening ceremony of CENTAM Guardian 24 phase one at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, April 2, 2024. CENTAM Guardian 24 is a demonstration of U.S. and Central American allies to operate seamlessly together in a dynamic operating environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nick Z. Erwin)
April 3, 2024 - SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras - Exercise CENTAM Guardian 2024 officially kicked off during a ceremony
Gen. Richardson Visits Argentina To Strengthen Bilateral Ties
April 3, 2024 - U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, commander of Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), travels to Argentina this week to foster dialogue and cooperation with the country's new government and defense leaders. Her visit underscores the long-standing commitment to enhancing the strategic partnership between both countries.
Southcom Commander Advises Next Generation
Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson, commander, U.S. Southern Command, administers the oath of enlistment to sixteen new Army recruits during a visit to Northglenn High School, Northglenn, Colo., April 27, 2023.
March 28, 2024 - Army Gen. Laura Richardson, U.S. Southern Command's first female commander, shared the lessons she's learned from more than three decades in the military with the next generation of soldiers.
SOUTHCOM Commander Accompanies Sec. Raimondo in Costa Rica
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (March 22, 2024) -- The commander of U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson and U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica Cynthia A. Telles join U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo during a meeting with Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles. Richardson accompanied the Secretary to Costa Rica March 21 – 22 as she met with Costa Rican government officials and representatives from the semiconductor industry to highlight the U.S.-Costa Rican bilateral commercial and investment relationship. (Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy Costa Rica)
March 23, 2024 - The commander of U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, accompanied U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo during a visit to Costa Rica March 21-22.
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PHOTOS

A 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Multipurpose Canine Detachment (MPC-D), handler discusses signs of heat-related injuries in multipurpose canines during training, April 3, 2024.
Armando Drain, a geospatial engineer with U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), conducts training on U.S. SOUTHCOM’s Enhanced Domain Awareness, a common sharing platform, as part of exercise CENTAM Guardian 24 phase one on Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, April 5, 2024.
A member of 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) leads Close Quarters Battle training with members of the Honduran military in La Venta, Honduras, as part of CENTAM Guardian 24, April 5, 2024.
A member of 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) leads gun range training with members of the Honduran military in La Venta, Honduras, as part of CENTAM Guardian 24, April 5, 2024.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Multipurpose Canine Detachment, handlers guides a multipurpose canine during behavior training in La Venta, Honduras, as part of CENTAM Guardian 24, April 5, 2024.
A 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Multipurpose Canine Detachment, handler, center, discusses techniques to incorporate canines in operations in La Venta, Honduras, as part of CENTAM Guardian 24, April 5, 2024.
A member of 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) leads Close Quarters Battle training with members of the Honduran military in La Venta, Honduras, as part of CENTAM Guardian 24, April 5, 2024.
A member of 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) leads Close Quarters Battle training with members of the Honduran military in La Venta, Honduras, as part of CENTAM Guardian 24, April 5, 2024.
A member of 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) leads gun range training with a member of the Honduran military in La Venta, Honduras, as part of CENTAM Guardian 24, April 5, 2024.
Cyber service members from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras participate in a cyberspace defense exercise as part of CENTAM GUARDIAN 24 at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras 2-11 April, 2024.
Salvadoran servicemembers participate in a cyberspace defense exercise as part of CENTAM GUARDIAN 24 at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras 2-11 April, 2024.
Honduran servicemembers participate in a cyberspace defense exercise as part of CENTAM GUARDIAN 24 at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras 2-11 April, 2024.
Honduran servicemembers participate in a cyberspace defense exercise as part of CENTAM GUARDIAN 24 at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras 2-11 April, 2024.
Gen. Richardson Meets with President Milei, Defense Leaders in Argentina.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, delivers remarks during a ceremony highlighting the U.S.-provided donation of a C-130H Hercules aircraft.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), delivers remarks during a ceremony highlighting the U.S.-provided donation of a C-130H Hercules.
Argentine President Javier Milei delivers remarks during a ceremony highlighting the U.S.-provided donation of a C-130H Hercules aircraft .
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), is greeted by Argentine President Javier Milei.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (April 3, 2024) – U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), joins Argentine service members and defense officials for a panel discussion on the advancement of Women, Peace, and Security.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), meets with Argentine Brig. Gen. Xavier Isaac, head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Argentine Armed Forces.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), meets with Argentine Defense Minister Luis Petri.
Members of U.S. Southern Command, El Salvador military, Honduran military, and Guatemalan military stand at parade rest during the opening ceremony of CENTAM Guardian 24 phase one at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, April 2, 2024.
Laura Dogu, U.S. Ambassador to Honduras, provides remarks during the opening ceremony of CENTAM Guardian 24 phase one at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, April 2, 2024.
Laura Dogu, U.S. Ambassador to Honduras, provides remarks during the opening ceremony of CENTAM Guardian 24 phase one at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, April 2, 2024.
Members of the Guatemalan military salute during the playing of national anthems during the opening ceremony of CENTAM Guardian 24 phase one at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, April 2, 2024.
Members of the Honduran military salute during the playing of national anthems during the opening ceremony of CENTAM Guardian 24 phase one at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, April 2, 2024.
The commander of U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson and U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica Cynthia A. Telles join U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo during a meeting with Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles.
- The commander of U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson speaks during a press conference alongside Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles and join U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo.
The commander of U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson takes part in a press conference with Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles and join U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo.
USS George Washington (CVN 73) and USS Porter (DDG 78) underway in the Atlantic Ocean.
Partner nation medical personnel and U.S. Air Force team members of the St. Lucia Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team gather for a group photo during an opening ceremony at Owen King European Union Hospital, Castries, St. Lucia, Feb. 26, 2024.
Partner nation medical personnel and U.S. Air Force team members of the St. Lucia Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team gather for a group photo during an opening ceremony at Owen King European Union Hospital, Castries, St. Lucia, Feb. 26, 2024.
Partner nation medical personnel and U.S. Air Force team members of the St. Lucia Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team gather for a group photo during an opening ceremony at Owen King European Union Hospital, Castries, St. Lucia, Feb. 26, 2024.
Partner nation medical personnel and U.S. Air Force team members of the St. Lucia Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team gather for a group photo during an opening ceremony at Owen King European Union Hospital, Castries, St. Lucia, Feb. 26, 2024.
Partner nation medical personnel and U.S. Air Force team members of the St. Lucia Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team gather for a group photo during an opening ceremony at Owen King European Union Hospital, Castries, St. Lucia, Feb. 26, 2024.
Under the direction of U.S. Southern Command’s Enduring Promise initiative, 42 U.S. Air Force active duty and reserve personnel were deployed to work alongside Surinamese military and civilian medical counterparts.
Under the direction of U.S. Southern Command’s Enduring Promise initiative, 42 U.S. Air Force active duty and reserve personnel were deployed to work alongside Surinamese military and civilian medical counterparts.
Under the direction of U.S. Southern Command’s Enduring Promise initiative, 42 U.S. Air Force active duty and reserve personnel were deployed to work alongside Surinamese military and civilian medical counterparts.
Under the direction of U.S. Southern Command’s Enduring Promise initiative, 42 U.S. Air Force active duty and reserve personnel were deployed to work alongside Surinamese military and civilian medical counterparts.
Under the direction of U.S. Southern Command’s Enduring Promise initiative, 42 U.S. Air Force active duty and reserve personnel were deployed to work alongside Surinamese military and civilian medical counterparts.
Photo of a single engine aircraft the United States donated to the Dominican Republic.
Senior U.S. and Dominican senior defense and government leaders pose for a photo in front of an aircraft.
Soldiers pass a flag.
Official photo of Army Col. Steven Kane, commander of Joint Task Force-Guantanamo.
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro speaks with Sailors and Marines at U.S. Southern Command.
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro speaks with Sailors and Marines at U.S. Southern Command.
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro is greeted by the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), Army Gen. Laura Richardson, upon arrival to SOUTHCOM headquarters
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro talks with the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), Army Gen. Laura Richardson.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson looks at "Bambi Buckets.”
Group photo of U.S. and Uruguayan military personnel.

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Gen. Laura J. Richardson bio photo

Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson is the commander of U.S. Southern Command. She assumed command Oct. 29, 2021.

Gen. Richardson's Bio

 

TEAM SOUTHCOM button. Links to Team SOUTHCOM page.

A Network of Mutual Support: Total Engagement for All Members of U.S. Southern Command, or TEAM SOUTHCOM, is a command-sponsored organization that aims to support command service members, civilians and family members -- in South Florida and assigned throughout the region.