Fuerzas Comando 2017

​Fuerzas Comando 2017 was a military exercise consisting of a skills competition between military and police Special Operations teams from the Western Hemisphere. The event was hosted by Paraguay July 18-27. About 700 security forces personnel from 20 countries, including the United States, took part in the challenging contest, which promotes military-to-military relationships, increases training knowledge and improves regional security. The Honduran team took first place, followed by Colombia, the United States, Mexico and Panama.

Fuerzas Comando 2017 News

ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay (July 27, 2017) -- U.S. Navy Adm. Kurt W. Tidd, commander of U.S. Southern Command, speaks during the closing ceremony of Fuerzas Comando 2017. Tidd is in Paraguay to meet the nation's leaders and to engage with senior regional security officials during the annual Fuerzas Comando multinational special operations skills competition. (Photo by Jose Ruiz, SOUTHCOM Public Affairs)
ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay (July 27, 2017) -- U.S. Navy Adm. Kurt W. Tidd, commander of U.S. Southern Command, poses with the U.S. team that took part in the Fuerzas Comando 2017 multinational special operations skills competition. Tidd is in Paraguay to meet the nation's leaders and to engage with senior regional security officials during the annual Fuerzas Comando. (Photo by Jose Ruiz, SOUTHCOM Public Affairs)
ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay (July 27, 2017) -- U.S. Navy Adm. Kurt W. Tidd, commander of U.S. Southern Command, congratulates the Honduran team that took 1st place in the Fuerzas Comando 2017 multinational special operations skills competition. Tidd is in Paraguay to meet the nation's leaders and to engage with senior regional security officials during the annual Fuerzas Comando. (Photo by Jose Ruiz, SOUTHCOM Public Affairs)
ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay (July 25, 2017)-- U.S. Navy Adm. Kurt W. Tidd, commander of U.S. Southern Command, takes part in discussions during the Fuerzas Comando 2017 Senior Leader Seminar. Tidd is in Paraguay to meet the nation's leaders and to engage with senior regional security officials during the annual Fuerzas Comando multinational special operations skills competition. (Photo by Jose Ruiz, SOUTHCOM Public Affairs)
ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay (July 24, 2017)-- U.S. Navy Adm. Kurt W. Tidd, commander of U.S. Southern Command, and U.S. Special Operations Command commander, Army Gen. Raymond Thomas III, talk while en route to the Fuerzas Comando 2017 Senior Leader Seminar opening ceremony in Asunción, Paraguay. Both leaders were in Paraguay to participate in the seminar, observe the competition and discuss defense ties with Paraguay’s armed forces. (Photo by Jose Ruiz, SOUTHCOM Public Affairs)
A Guyanese comando crawls beneath wires during a Fuerzas Comando obstacle course July 24, 2017, in Vista Alegre, Paraguay. This competition increases training knowledge and furthers interoperability between countries in the Western Hemisphere. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Joanna Bradshaw/Released)
A U.S. Army Special Forces Soldier details many of Fuerzas Comando’s events to U.S. Special Operations Command Commander, Army Gen. Raymond A. Thomas III (center), and Navy Rear Adm. Collin Green, Commander, Special Operations Command South, July 24, 2017, in Vista Alegre, Paraguay. The multinational competition promotes cooperation and furthers interoperability between participating countries. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Osvaldo Equite/Released)
A Mexican competitior drops 15 feet off a ladder during the grueling obstacle course event as part of Fuerzas Comando July 24, 2017, at Vista Alegre, Presidente Hayes, Paraguay. Team Mexico placed third in the event. Special operations personnel from 20 countries participated in the Fuerzas Comando competition, which is designed to improve training, readiness, interoperability, and capability. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Chad Menegay/Released)
Paraguayan competitors run up a wall of an obstacle course event July 24, 2017, at Vista Alegre, Presidente Hayes, Paraguay. Paraguay is host to Fuerzas Comando 2017, the 13th iteration of a special operations competition designed to enhance multinational and regional cooperation, mutual trust and confidence, and to improve the training, readiness, interoperability, and capability of special forces. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Chad Menegay/Released)
Jamaican competitors ascend ropes during an obstacle course for Fuerzas Comando on July 24, 2017, in Vista Alegre, Paraguay. Nations competing in Fuerzas Comando refine the tactics used by their special operations forces. By increasing their special operations capabilities, countries become more proficient at confronting common threats. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Joanna Bradshaw/Released)
Costa Rican competitors clear a room in a live-fire shoot house July 22, 2017 during a combined assault event at Fuerzas Comando at Cerrito, Paraguay. Competitors in this event attempt to clear a building and rescue a simulated hostage as efficiently as possible. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class James Brown/Released)
A Mexican competitor aims his weapon to prepare for a combined assault event July 22, 2017, during Fuerzas Comando in Cerrito, Paraguay. There are 20 teams competing in Fuerzas Comando that share a longstanding history of cooperation. (U.S. Army photo illustration by Pfc. Lauren Sam/Released) (This image was created by capturing a still frame from a video.)
An Uraguayan competitor fires his weapon during a simulated hostage rescue mission July 22, 2017, during Fuerzas Comando in Cerrito, Paraguay. Teams must work together to take out all the enemy targets and rescue a hostage from captivity. Fuerzas Comando aims to improve partnerships among competing countries. (U.S. Army photo illustration by Pfc. Lauren Sam/Released) (This image was created by capturing a still frame from a video.)
Argentine competitors fire at targets and stand guard for their teammates in the combined assault event July 22, 2017, during Fuerzas Commando in Cerrito, Paraguay. In the event, teams charge through a shoot house and clear all rooms, before they rescue a simulated hostage. (U.S. Army photo illustration by Pfc. Lauren Sam/Released) (This image was created by capturing a still frame from a video.)
Peruvian competitors run toward a live-fire shoot house July 22, 2017 during a combined assault event at Fuerzas Comando in Cerrito, Paraguay. Competitors in this event attempt to clear a building and rescue a simulated hostage as efficiently as possible. The event focuses on developing teamwork and sharpening competitors' tactical skills. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class James Brown/Released)
A competitor from Team Guatemala races toward his first target during a shooting event July 20, 2017, during Fuerzas Comando in Vista Alegre, Paraguay. Fuerzas Comando helps Guatemalan forces share and contribute to lasting stability and security in the Southern Hemisphere. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Joanna Bradshaw/Released)
A Jamaican competitor adjusts the scope on his rifle during the FBI Shoot and Movers event July 19, 2017 as part of the Fuerzas Comando competition at Vista Alegre, Paraguay. The nations participating in the competition share a long history of working with each other. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class James Brown/Released)
A Chilean competitor fires his pistol in the stress shoot event July 21, 2017 during Fuerzas Comando in Vista Alegre, Paraguay. Chile and other competing nations share common security interests that the competition promotes. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elizabeth Williams/Released)
Team El Salvador prepare for the stress shoot event July 21, 2017 during Fuerzas Comando in Vista Alegre, Paraguay. Fuerzas Comando is an 11-day competition that requires team cohesion and promotes multinational partnerships between North, Central and South American and Carribean countries. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elizabeth Williams/Released)
A U.S. Army Special Forces Soldier, who is part of a two-man sniper team, fires down range July 19, 2017 in Paraguari, Paraguay. The American sniper team is competing in Fuerzas Comando which is a multinational competition aiming to develop advanced tactical skills. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elizabeth Williams/Released)
A Dominican competitor scans the range for targets over his sniper rifle July 19, 2017 during Fuerzas Comando in Paraguari, Paraguay. The field shoot event required a two-man rifle team to hit 10 long-range targets. The competition is about helping competing countries learn new tactics to foster regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elizabeth Williams/Released)
Multinational special forces teams line up at the opening ceremony for Fuerzas Comando 2017 in Mariano Roque Alonso, Paraguay on July 17, 2017. Fuerzas Comando is a fellowship program that promotes military-to-military relationships for all teams involved. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christine Lorenz/Released)
The Paraguayan army band plays at the Fuerzas Comando 2017 opening ceremony July 17, 2017, in Mariano Roque Alonso, Paraguay. Fuerzas Comando is a fellowship program that promotes military-to-military relationships for all teams involved. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christine Lorenz/Released)
See All Fuerzas Comando 2017 Photos and Videos

Overview

Fuerzas Comando 2017 was a Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff-approved, U.S. Southern Command-sponsored, exercise under the responsibility of Commander, Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH).

The exercise had two parts: a skills competition and a Distinguished Visitor Program focused on countering terrorism.

About 700 military, law enforcement, and civilian personnel from the participating nations took part in the exercise.

The event demonstrates and tests participants’ skills through special operations forces competitions, and includes a Distinguished Visitor Program focused on topics such as combating terrorism, organized crime, and illicit trafficking.

Participating Nations

Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, and Uruguay.

About the Multinational Skills Competition

The competition was primarily held at a Peruvian training base in Ancon and has two parts: an assault team competition and a sniper team competition. The competitions were scored and evaluated by judges from each participating nation.

Assault Team Competition

The assault team competition consisted of a series of events including physical fitness tests, a confidence course, close quarters combat, rucksack march, an aquatic event, and an obstacle course.

Sniper Team Competition

The sniper team competition consisted of physical fitness tests, marksmanship, mobility, and concealment events.

Countering Terrorism Fellowship Program (Distinguished Visitors Program)

The program included two senior representatives from each participating nation. Participants included a commander and a senior government representative involved in making counter-terrorism decisions and policy making. The DVP took place in conjunction with Fuerzas Comando and focused on improving political and military relations and multinational military cooperation.

Background

This was the 13th Fuerzas Comando exercise.  Fuerzas Comando 2016 was held in Peru.

COMMANDER'S PRIORITIES

LATEST FROM SOUTHCOM