U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Resolute Seizes $93.2M Worth of Cocaine
The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Resolute interdicted three drug smuggling vessels and seized 12,600 pounds of cocaine during a recent patrol in the Eastern Pacific! The crew offloaded the drugs July 17 in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Continuing Promise Completes Mission in Ecuador
The hospital ship USNS Comfort departed Manta, Ecuador, July 10, 2025, concluding a seven-day mission providing medical and community services during its third site visit of Continuing Promise 2025.
Hospital Ship Deploys to Latin America and the Caribbean for Continuing Promise Mission
USNS Comfort has deployed for the Continuing Promise 2025 mission. The ship is scheduled to visit Grenada, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Dominican Republic.
U.S., Panama Strengthen Regional Security
WATCH: U.S. Coast Guard personnel and Panama’s Servicio Nacional Aeronaval members conduct a passing exercise (PASSEX) off the coast of Panama, strengthening maritime collaboration.
Supporting Counterdrug Operations: Joint Interagency Task Force South
JIATF South helps degrade & dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean by leveraging all-domain capabilities to target, detect and monitor illicit drug trafficking in the air and maritime domains.

LATEST NEWS AND RELEASES

USNS Comfort Departs Dominican Republic After Fourth CP25 Mission Stop
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (July 17, 2025) Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Abby Marvin, assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), takes a Dominican patient’s temperature at a medical site in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic during Continuing Promise 2025, July 17, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. William Hunter)
July 22, 2025 - The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departed from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, July 21, 2025, after a four-day mission stop during Continuing Promise 2025 (CP25). At the Dominican mission stop, Comfort’s team provided medical and dental care, veterinary subject matter exchanges, medical subject matter exchanges, a humanitarian aid and disaster response workshop, band performances, and a beach clean-up event.
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Resolute returns home, offloads approximately $93.2 million worth of drugs in St. Petersburg
The crew of USCGC Resolute (WMEC 620) pose for a group photo during a drug offload at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, July 17, 2025. Resolute deployed in support of Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-South), an interagency and international task force that conducts counter-illicit trafficking and security cooperation operations in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Perkofski)
July 17, 2025 - ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Resolute offloaded nearly 12,600 pounds of cocaine, worth an estimated $93.2 million, in their homeport of St. Petersburg, Thursday, following a 59-day patrol in the Eastern Pacific.
25th Infantry Division works alongside Panamanian security personnel and the Joint Security Cooperation Group-Panama
Members of the U.S. military, Servicio Nacional Aeronaval of Panama, Policia Nacional de Panama, and Servicio Nacional de Fronteras collaborate to plan jungle training curriculum in Panama City, Panama, on July 15, 2025. During this meeting, a tentative schedule for jungle training was agreed upon, utilizing the combined expertise of jungle survival trainers from both countries. The U.S. has a longstanding bilateral security partnership with Panama that reflects its mutual trust, recognition of, and respect for Panama's sovereignty, and values the commitment of our Panamanian security partners and their steadfast support to regional cooperation against shared threats and security challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Justin Todd)
July 16, 2025 - U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, arrived in Panama to support the combined security effort between the U.S. and Panama.
USNS Comfort Arrives in Dominican Republic for CP25
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (July 15, 2025) Sailors assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) load medical site cargo aboard Comfort in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic during Continuing Promise 2025, July 15, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led Mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alfredo Marron)
July 16, 2025 - The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic for the fourth mission stop of Continuing Promise 2025 (CP25), July 15, 2025.

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PHOTOS

PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (July 20, 2025) Capt. Grace Key, commanding officer, USNS Comfort Medical Treatment Facility, says goodbye to the Dominican Republic medical team as they depart the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) off the coast of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic during Continuing Promise 2025, July 20, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rylin Paul)
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (July 17, 2025) Cmdr. Anna Schlenker, director of medical operations and planning assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), assists a Dominican patient aboard Comfort in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic during Continuing Promise 2025, July 17, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alfredo Marron)
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (July 17, 2025) Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Abby Marvin, assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), takes a Dominican patient’s temperature at a medical site in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic during Continuing Promise 2025, July 17, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. William Hunter)
Two sailors, one holding a light device in each hand, watch as a helicopter descends, with an orange and blue sky in the background.
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (July 15, 2025) Sailors assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) load medical site cargo aboard Comfort in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic during Continuing Promise 2025, July 15, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led Mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alfredo Marron)
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (July 15, 2025) Sailors and Military Sealift Command personnel assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) load medical site cargo aboard Comfort in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic during Continuing Promise 2025, July 15, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led Mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alfredo Marron)
An overhead shot of a group of uniformed officials sitting around a table.
JEREMIE, Haiti (Dec. 17, 2022) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Aircraft Handling) 2nd Class Kelsey Turner, assigned to the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), directs the pilot of an MH60-S Seahawk, attached to the “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, to deliver supplies to the medical site in Jeremie, Haiti, Dec. 17, 2022. Comfort is deployed to U.S. 4th Fleet in support of Continuing Promise 2022, a humanitarian assistance and goodwill mission conducting direct medical care, expeditionary veterinary care, and subject matter expert exchanges with five partner nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America. (U.S Army photo by Sgt. Ruben Rodriguez Santiago)
Personnel from USCGC Resolute (WMEC 620) offload pallets of illicit narcotics during a drug offload at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, July 17, 2025. During the patrol, Resolute was joined by the cutters Escanaba, Tahoma, and Hamilton, providing broad, coordinated coverage across the major drug-smuggling vectors running from Ecuador towards the United States. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Perkofski)
The crew of USCGC Resolute (WMEC 620) pose for a group photo during a drug offload at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, July 17, 2025. Resolute deployed in support of Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-South), an interagency and international task force that conducts counter-illicit trafficking and security cooperation operations in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Perkofski)
U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Logan Sullivan, an engineering officer assigned to USCGC Resolute (WMEC 620), wraps bails of illicit narcotics during a drug offload at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, July 17, 2025. Resolute’s crew offloaded nearly 12,600 pounds of cocaine, worth an estimated $93.2 million following a 59-day patrol in the Eastern Pacific. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Perkofski)
U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Tyler Mace, a gunner’s mate assigned to USCGC Resolute (WMEC 620), stands overwatch of illicit narcotics during a drug offload at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, July 17, 2025. Resolute spent several weeks as the only U.S. Coast Guard cutter in the Eastern Pacific, playing a critical role in maintaining maritime domain awareness and operational coverage across a vast area, spanning over one million square miles. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Perkofski)
A U.S. service member talks while sitting at a table with U.S. and Panamanian service members.
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (July 15, 2025) Sailors assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) load medical site cargo aboard Comfort in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic during Continuing Promise 2025, July 15, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led Mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alfredo Marron)
On the left a patient in a hospital gown covered in a blanket has a wrap on his head and a blood pressure machine attached to his left arm which is giving a thumbs up. On the right a woman in a blue shirt, black jacket, and jeans sits next to the patient
A U-28A Draco from the 27th Special Operations Wing provides surveillance over a visit, board, search, and seizure training exercise involving Air Commandos, Chilean Special Forces, Navy Seals, and the Chilean Navy in Valparaiso, Chile, June 6, 2025, as part of exercise SOUTHERN STAR 25.
An Air Commando assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing performs a pre-flight check on a U-28A Draco in Santiago, Chile, June 4, 2025, as part of exercise SOUTHERN STAR 25
U.S. and Chilean Air Commandos work together to process intelligence video from multiple platforms, including the U-28A Draco, in Rancagua, Chile, June 2, 2025, as part of exercise SOUTHERN STAR 25.
An Air Commando assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing pulls a hose connected to an MC-130 Commando II for a forward arming and refueling point demonstration for Chilean Airmen at Antofagasta, Chile, May 29, 2025 as part of Southern Star 2025
Airman fixes aircraft
U.S. Airman talks with Belize military service members
Planes airdrops cargo
250709-N-BP862-1140 MANTA, Ecuador (July 9, 2025) Hospitalman Christopher Olheiser and Logistics Specialist 3rd class Daniel Clerge, both assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), load medical supplies onto Comfort in Manta, Ecuador during Continuing Promise 2025, July 9, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Thomas Boatright)
The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrives in Manta, Ecuador during Continuing Promise 2025, July 4, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ethan McCubbins)
Dental personnel in scrubs work on a patient under a spotlight.
250701-A-LS473-1017 PANAMA CANAL, Panama (July 1, 2025) Sailors aboard the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) pass under Centennial Bridge as they transit the Panama Canal during Continuing Promise 2025, July 1, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. William Hunter)
A suspected drug smuggling vessel is apprehended
A suspected drug smuggling vessel is apprehended
Coast Guard members offload illicit drugs
Coast Guard members offload illicit drugs
Coast Guard members offload illicit drugs
Illicit drugs sit on a flight deck of a Coast Guard cutter
Coast Guard law enforcement officers apprehend a suspected drug smuggling vessel
Doctor checking patient
A team of El Salvador Primera Brigada Aérea members accomplish a tactical combat casualty care training exercise overseen by U.S. Air Force Airmen as part of the AMISTAD campaign June 20, 2025 in Ilopango, El Salvador. The campaign promoted cooperation between the U.S. and host nation healthcare professionals in a resource constrained environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin Norton)
A team of El Salvador Primera Brigada Aérea members accomplish a tactical combat casualty care training exercise overseen by U.S. Air Force Airmen as part of the AMISTAD campaign June 20, 2025 in Ilopango, El Salvador. The campaign promoted cooperation between the U.S. and host nation healthcare professionals in a resource constrained environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin Norton)
An El Salvador Primera Brigada Aérea team provides security to a Bell 412 helicopter crew during an aeromedical evacuation training scenario in Ilopango, El Salvador, June 20, 2025. The scenario was part of the AMISTAD campaign intended to promote cooperation between healthcare professionals of U.S. and partner nations in resource-constrained environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin Norton)
An El Salvador Primera Brigada Aérea team carries a litter towards a Bell 412 helicopter during a simulated combat casualty training scenario in Ilopango, El Salvador, June 20, 2025. Teams treated simulated injuries on the medical training mannequin and prepared it for aeromedical transport during the AMISTAD campaign, an ongoing mission intended to strengthen relations between U.S. and partner nations by training together in resource-constrained environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin Norton)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Nazario (left), 302d Aeromedical Staging Squadron medical technician, and Capt. Samuel Hendricks, 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron critical nurse, assist an El Salvador Primera Brigada Aérea member with applying a seal to a sucking chest wound to a medical training mannequin in Ilopango, El Salvador, June 20, 2025. The training was part of the AMISTAD campaign, a mission designed to promote cooperation between U.S. and host nation medical professions training in resource-constrained environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin Norton)
A Salvadoran Bell 412 helicopter takes off en route to the Central Military Hospital with a simulated patient on board during a training exercise in Ilopango, El Salvador, June 20, 2025. Salvadoran ground medical teams worked together to load the patient onto the aircraft as part of the AMISTAD campaign, a mission promoting cooperation between healthcare professionals of the U.S. and partner nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin Norton)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Marissa Poindexter, 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron medical technician, applies simulated injuries to the face of an El Salvador Primera Brigada Aerea member prior to a training exercise in Ilopango, El Salvador, June 20, 2025. The simulated tactical combat casualty care was part of the AMISTAD campaign, intended to promote cooperation between healthcare professionals of U.S. and partner nations in Central and South America. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin Norton)
ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada (June 12, 2025) U.S. Navy surgeons, assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), perform a hernia surgery on a Grenadian citizen aboard Comfort during Continuing Promise 2025 in St. George’s, Grenada, June 12, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonas Womack)
250611-N-MQ781-1184 ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada (June 11, 2025) Cmdr. Jessica Santucci, a pediatric anesthesiologist assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), places vital monitors on a pediatric patient at Grenada General Hospital during Continuing Promise 2025 in St. George’s, Grenada, June 11, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alfredo Marron)
A white U.S. military hospital ship floats in the ocean while a military helicopter approaches it
250625-A-LS473-1017 COLÓN, Panama (June 25, 2025) The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrives in Colón, Panama during Continuing Promise 2025, June 25, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. William Hunter)
250616-A-LS473-1067 ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada (June 16, 2025) The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departs from St. George’s, Grenada, during Continuing Promise 2025, June 16, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. William Hunter)
Panamanian service members and U.S. Marines walk in a single filed line carrying guns
A U.S. Army service member sings the national anthem on the soccer field at Hard Rock Stadium while the color guard stands behind them
A color guard stands at attention on the soccer field at Hard Rock Stadium during the FIFA Club World Cup opening ceremeony
A U.S. Navy service member in the color guard stands at attention holding the American flag

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SOUTHCOM COMMANDER

Adm. Alvin Holsey bio photo

Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey is the commander of U.S. Southern Command. He assumed command Nov. 7, 2024.

Adm. Holsey's Bio