USCG Calhoun Offloads $140.9M in Illegal Narcotics From Five At-Sea Busts
Coast Guard Cutter Calhoun's crew offload more than 19,055 pounds of cocaine and marijuana at Port Everglades, May 16. The seized contraband resulted from five recent interdictions in the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Central American Security: Exercise CENTAM Guardian 2025
More than 900 service members and disaster-relief specialists from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and the United States are training together during the exercise in Guatemala.
Hospital Ship to Deploy to Latin America and the Caribbean for Continuing Promise Mission
USNS Comfort will deploy this June-August as part of the Continuing Promise mission. The ship is scheduled to visit Grenada, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Dominican Republic.
Drug Bust: USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul
The littoral combat ship interdicted a suspected drug smuggling vessel May 1 while supporting Joint Interagency Task Force South. This is the ship's third successful interdiction during its maiden deployment.
Strengthening Caribbean Security: Exercise Tradewinds 2025
TRADEWINDS 25 (TW25), hosted by Trinidad and Tobago, brought together more than 1,000 personnel from 26 nations, six regional organizations, and multiple U.S. government agencies to train in land, air, sea, and cyber domains.

LATEST NEWS AND RELEASES

U.S. Navy Hospital Ship to Host Media at Portmiami
May 29, 2025 - Opportunity for South Florida media to board the U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort and cover Continuing Promise 2025, its upcoming humanitarian assistance mission in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
CENTAM Guardian participants demonstrate increased capacities in culminating event
A Guatemalan formation leader renders a salute to U.S. Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, and Gen. Hermelindo Choz Soc, Guatemala's chief of national defense, during CENTAM Guardian 25, at Mariscal Zavala, Guatemala, May 22, 2025. CG25 promotes information sharing and best practices among partner nations, improving collective capacity for security operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sadie Colbert)
May 23, 2025 - CENTAM Guardian 2025, an annual exercise co-sponsored by U.S. Southern Command and Guatemala's Ministry of Defense, neared its conclusion with a culminating event held May 22 at Mariscal Zavala military base in Guatemala City.
SOUTHCOM Commander Visits Brazil, Guatemala
May 23, 2025 - U.S. Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), visited Brazil and Guatemala May 19 - 23 and met with leaders to discuss defense cooperation and collaborative efforts to address regional security challenges. 
Coast Guard Cutter Calhoun offloads more than $140.9 million in illegal narcotics at Port Everglades
Crew members aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Calhoun (WMSL 759) pose before preparing to offload pallets of illegal narcotics in Port Everglades, May 16, 2025. Calhoun’s crew offloaded more than 19,055 pounds of cocaine and marijuana valued at approximately $140.9 million in Port Everglades, May 16, 2025. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jessica Walker)
May 16, 2025 - U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Calhoun’s crew offloaded approximately 19,055 pounds of cocaine and marijuana, worth an estimated $140.9 million, Friday, at Port Everglades. The seized contraband was the result of five interdictions in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea by interagency partners.
Airmen Test Combat Readiness During Caribbean Exercise
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Hailey Lisska, left, instructs a course on tactical combat casualty care for members of the U.S. Air Force, the Trinidad and Tobago military, and the French army during Tradewinds 25 in Teteron Bay, Trinidad and Tobago, April 30, 2025. The annual exercise enhances regional stability and demonstrates U.S. coordination with allies and partners.
May 16, 2025 - Special operations airmen tested resiliency, adaptiveness and ability to integrate logistics with other nations during Exercise Tradewinds 25 in Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua, Martinique and Puerto Rico.
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PHOTOS

Two U.S. service members and one Guatemalan service member lay on the grass with guns
U.S. service member looks out of an army helicopter mid flight
A U.S. service member and Guatemalan service member kneel on the grass and aim their guns
A U.S. Army helicopter hovers above U.S. and Guatemalan service members
Adm. Holsey and Guatemalan service member leaders salute on a stage
Two U.S. helicopters sit on a tarmac after landing in Guatemala
U.S. service members march along a road
U.S. and Guatemalan service members stand in front of a U.S. helicopter
U.S. and Guatemalan service members stand and kneel in a field
Guatemalan and U.S. service members lay on a man made berm while overlooking the surrounding area
Guatemalan and U.S. service members crouch and lay on a berm while simulating cover fire during an exercise
Guatemalan service members hold rifles while preparing to clear a building
A U.S. service members sits on the back of a helicopter overlooking another helicopter in the distance
A group of Honduran and El Salvadorian soldiers look at a U.S. helicopter
A group of Honduran and El Salvadoran service members listen to a briefing while a U.S. service member stands in the back
Soldiers lay on their stomach in a grassy field practicing shooting
Guatemalan fire fighters practice hazardous material training on a mannequin
Guatemalan sailors practice a drug interdiction with two kneeling U.S. service members
U.S. navy member stands on a boat with Guatemalan sailors
Law enforcement crew members aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Calhoun (WMSL 759) conduct a boarding on a fishing vessel suspected of drug smuggling approximately 1,200 miles west of Las Palmas, Canary Islands, April 12, 2025. Calhoun’s crew offloaded approximately 19,055 pounds of cocaine and marijuana, worth an estimated $140.9 million, at Port Everglades, May 16, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Calhoun (WMSL 759) moors at Port Everglades for a drug offload, May 16, 2025. Calhoun’s crew offloaded more than 19,055 pounds of cocaine and marijuana valued at approximately $140.9 million in Port Everglades, May 16, 2025. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jessica Walker)
Crew members aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Calhoun (WMSL 759) pose before preparing to offload pallets of illegal narcotics in Port Everglades, May 16, 2025. Calhoun’s crew offloaded more than 19,055 pounds of cocaine and marijuana valued at approximately $140.9 million in Port Everglades, May 16, 2025. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jessica Walker)
Bales of illegal narcotics are offloaded by crew members of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Calhoun (WMSL 759) in Port Everglades, May 16, 2025. Calhoun’s crew offloaded more than 19,055 pounds of cocaine and marijuana valued at approximately $140.9 million in Port Everglades, May 16, 2025. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jessica Walker)
Crew members aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Calhoun (WMSL 759) wraps a pallet of illegal narcotics in Port Everglades, May 16, 2025. Calhoun’s crew offloaded more than 19,055 pounds of cocaine and marijuana valued at approximately $140.9 million in Port Everglades, May 16, 2025. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jessica Walker)
Law enforcement boat crew members assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Calhoun (WMSL 759) interdict a low-profile vessel suspected of drug smuggling in the Caribbean Sea, May 7, 2025. Calhoun’s crew offloaded more than 19,055 pounds of cocaine and marijuana valued at approximately $140.9 million in Port Everglades, May 16, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
Petty Officer 2nd Class David Hopkins, a gunner’s mate aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Calhoun (WMSL 759), stands watch over illegal narcotics in Port Everglades, May 16, 2025. Calhoun’s crew offloaded more than 19,055 pounds of cocaine and marijuana valued at approximately $140.9 million in Port Everglades, May 16, 2025. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jessica Walker)
Bales of illegal narcotics are offloaded by crew members of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Calhoun (WMSL 759) in Port Everglades, May 16, 2025. Calhoun’s crew offloaded more than 19,055 pounds of cocaine and marijuana valued at approximately $140.9 million in Port Everglades, May 16, 2025. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jessica Walker)
A law enforcement boat crew assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Calhoun (WMSL 759) interdicts a vessel suspected of smuggling narcotics, seizing approximately 3,135 pounds of cocaine and 14 pounds of marijuana in the Carribean Sea, May 15, 2025. USCGC Calhoun’s crew offloaded approximately 19,055 pounds of cocaine and marijuana, worth an estimated $140.9 million, on Friday, 16 May, in Fort Lauderdale. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
A law enforcement boat crew assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Calhoun (WMSL 759) interdicts a vessel suspected of smuggling narcotics, seizing approximately 1,371 pounds of cocaine in the Caribbean Sea, May 5, 2025. USCGC Calhoun’s crew offloaded approximately 19,055 pounds of cocaine and marijuana, worth an estimated $140.9 million, on Friday, 16 May, in Fort Lauderdale. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
A law enforcement boat crew assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Calhoun (WMSL 759) conducts a boarding of a vessel suspected of smuggling narcotics approximately 70 miles off the coast of the Dominican Republic, May 5, 2025. USCGC Calhoun’s crew offloaded approximately 19,055 pounds of cocaine and marijuana, worth an estimated $140.9 million, at Port Everglades, May 16, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
A man in a green uniform stands in front of a large group of sitting firefighters and speaks.
A soldier stares up at a helicopter performing disaster relief training.
A Guatemalan soldier stands inside a helicopter while speaking to a group of firefighters.
A group of firefighters and solider look at a water-carrying basket designed to be suspended from helicopters during training.
Military personnel sit at desks.
Military personnel sit at desks.
Military personnel sit at desks.
Military personnel sit at desks.
Military personnel sit at desks.
Military personnel sit at desks.
Military personnel sit at desks.
Military personnel sit at desks.
Photo of a large group of military personnel.
A man in a camouflage military uniform hand a plaque to another military person.
A man in a camouflage military uniform hand a certificate to another military person.
Military men in camouflage uniforms shake hands.
A man in a military uniform stands and speaks to sitting military personnel.
U.S. and Honduran infantrymen ruck at Mariscal Zavala, Guatemala, May 12, 2025. As part of CENTAM Guardian 25, infantrymen from Honduras, U.S., El Salvador and Guatemala, rucked to their exercise site where they will execute specific survival tactics in the Guatemalan jungles.
A U.S. Army infantryman assigned to the Bravo Company, 2-153 Infantry, Arkansas Army National Guard, gives marching orders during a CENTAM Guardian 25 jungle exercise event, at Mariscal Zavala, Guatemala, May 12, 2025.
A man in a a camouflage briefs other military personnel in a jungle setting.

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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

 

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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.