SOUTHCOM Welcomes New Commander
U.S. Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey assumed command of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) from U.S. Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson during a change-of-command ceremony, Nov. 7, 2024 in Doral, Florida.
DoD Support to Haiti
The Department of Defense is providing support to the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti.
WATCH: U.S. Army integrates M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System at Southern Fenix 24 exercise in Chile
The 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment (1-14 FAR) deployed to the Atacama Desert with the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) to conduct artillery training operations with the Chilean army during Southern Fenix 24.
More on Southern Fenix 24
WATCH: U.S. military joins forces from 23 nations for UNITAS LXV exercise
The Chilean navy hosted this year's UNITAS, which featured 17 vessels, 2 submarines, 20 aircraft and more than 4,300 personnel from 24 partner nations.
More on UNITAS 2024

LATEST NEWS AND RELEASES

MULTIMEDIA RELEASE: Coast Guard crew offloads $335.8 million worth of cocaine in San Diego
Crewmembers of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) work on the flight deck of the cutter during the contraband offload in San Diego, Nov. 19, 2024. The Munro crew members interdicted the narcotics in the Eastern Pacific during counter-narcotic patrols, seizing 29,000 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated wholesale value of $335.8 million. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Richard Uranga)
Nov. 19, 2024 - SAN DIEGO — The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) offloaded more than 29,000 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated value of $335.8 million, Tuesday in San Diego. 
Cyber operations takes stage at CRUZEX 2024
Multiple nations participate in CRUZEX CYBER at Natal Air Force Base, Brazil, Nov. 8, 2024. This year during CRUZEX, the addition of cyber scenarios aims to expand the scope of the exercise by highlighting the crucial intersection of cyber and aerospace domains. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Madeline Herzog)
Nov. 14, 2024 - For the first time in the history of CRUZEX, cyber operations played a pivotal role. CRUZEX 2024 introduced "CRUZEX CYBER," a simulated cyber exercise designed to integrate cyber defense with traditional air operations, marking a new frontier in military training. CRUZEX, one of the largest multinational military exercises in Latin America, has traditionally focused on enhancing air and space operational coordination.
Adm. Holsey Takes Command of SOUTHCOM
241107-A-BD526-4036 DORAL, Florida (Nov. 7, 2024) Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, incoming commander of U.S. Southern Command, addresses the audience during the SOUTHCOM change of command ceremony in Doral, Florida, Nov. 7,2024. Holsey assumed command from Army Gen. Laura Richardson, who is retiring after 38 years of service. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III presided over the ceremony. (Photo by Air Force Master Sergeant Lionel Castellano)
Nov. 7, 2024 - U.S. Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey assumed command of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) from U.S. Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson during a change-of-command ceremony, Nov. 7, 2024.
Austin Highlights Critical Role of Partnerships at Southcom Change of Command
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III presides over the U.S. Southern Command change of command ceremony at the combatant command's headquarters in Doral, Fla., Nov. 7, 2024.
Nov. 7, 2024 - Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III underscored the power of U.S. partnerships in bolstering shared values throughout the Western Hemisphere as he presided over Southcom's change of command ceremony at the combatant command's headquarters in Doral, Fla.
Gen. Richardson meets with leaders in Guatemala
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo talks with Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), during a meeting between the leaders in Guatemala Oct. 23. The meeting, which included senior officials from both nations, focused on deepening the U.S.-Guatemala security partnership and cooperation to strengthen regional security and combat transnational criminal organizations. (Photo courtesy of Casa Presidencial, Guatemala)
Oct. 24, 2024 - Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), met with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo and senior defense leaders during an official visit to Guatemala Oct. 22-24.
Coast Guard Cutter Resolute crew returns home, offloads approximately $115 million worth of drugs in St. Petersburg
The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Resolute unload interdicted narcotics onto Sector St. Petersburg South Moorings, Florida, Oct. 23, 2024. Armed Coast Guardsmen stood watch over the interdicted drugs to ensure security and accountability of the seized contraband. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Perkofski)
Oct. 23, 2024 - ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Resolute offloaded approximately 9,690 pounds of cocaine and 5,490 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $115 million, in their homeport of St. Petersburg, Wednesday.
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PHOTOS

A U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) crewmember prepares contraband to be offloaded from the Munro while moored in San Diego, Nov. 19, 2024. The offload is a result of eleven separate suspected drug smuggling vessel interdictions or events off the coasts of Mexico and Central and South America by the Coast Guard Cutters Munro, Vigorous, Hamilton, and the USS St. Louis in September and October. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Austin Wiley.
New York Air National Guard 107th Attack Wing space systems operators work through a space scenario during CRUZEX CYBER at Natal Air Force Base, Brazil, Nov. 8, 2024. The training aims to fortify the resilience of critical military infrastructure and strengthen the strategic partnerships within the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Madeline Herzog)
Multiple nations participate in CRUZEX CYBER at Natal Air Force Base, Brazil, Nov. 8, 2024. This year during CRUZEX, the addition of cyber scenarios aims to expand the scope of the exercise by highlighting the crucial intersection of cyber and aerospace domains. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Madeline Herzog)
A man in white military uniform and a man in a black suit hold a flag together.
Military personnel in uniform hold a flag.
Military personnel stand at attention.
A man in a black suit speaks from a podium.
A man in a suit speaks from a podium.
A man in a white military uniform speaks from a podium.
A woman in military uniform speaks from a podium.
A man in a uniform speaks from a podium.
A man in a white uniform holds a flag.
Uniformed military personnel and a man in a suit talk at a conference table.
Uniformed military personnel and a man in a suit talk at a conference table.
Military personnel and a man in a suit talk at a conference table.
Uniformed military personnel sign an agreement at a table.
Uniformed military personnel sign an agreement at a table.
A female uniformed military officer speaks from a podium.
Two military personnel stand and pose for a photo in front of flags.
Three uniformed military personnel stand and pose for a photo in front of a building.
The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Resolute transfer interdicted narcotics at sea during a routine Caribbean patrol. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo)
The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Resolute unload interdicted narcotics onto Sector St. Petersburg South Moorings, Florida, Oct. 23, 2024. Armed Coast Guardsmen stood watch over the interdicted drugs to ensure security and accountability of the seized contraband. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Perkofski)
The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Resolute unload interdicted narcotics onto Sector St. Petersburg South Moorings, Florida, Oct. 23, 2024. Armed Coast Guardsmen stood watch over the interdicted drugs to ensure security and accountability of the seized contraband. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Perkofski)
Military officials sit around a conference table and talk.
A group of military personnel walk together and talk.
A woman in a white suit and two military personnel stand in front of flags for a group photo.
Military personnel greet a woman in a white suit.
A female military officer and a woman in a white suit walk a red carpet flanked by military personnel standing in formation with ceremonial rifles.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), and Honduran Minister of Defense Rixi Moncada Godoy, walk to the entrance of the command's headquarters as honors are rendered.
A look at Department of Defense support to the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, as of Oct. 7, 2024.
Military personnel talk while sitting at a table.
A group of naval personnel in white uniforms posing in a line for a photo.
A female military officer speaks from a podium.
A graphic detailing Department of Defense support to the Haiti airport security and Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission preparation efforts, as of Sept. 19, 2024.
Silhouettes of parachutists in the sky and a mountain range are seen against a green sky in a night vision photo.
U.S. Marines Integrate with Brazilian Marines
U.S. Marines Integrate with Brazilian Marines
U.S. Marines Integrate with Brazilian Marines
Foreign liaison officers from Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Chile attend a Change of Command and activation ceremony for Air Forces Southern at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Sep. 11, 2024. The foreign liaison officers serve as direct conduits and integrate into AFSOUTH headquarters to represent their nation’s equities within the U.S. Southern Command Area of Responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)
A large group of ships and a submarine steam across a dark blue ocean on a partially cloudy day with a hazy horizon.
U.S. and international naval forces participate in UNITAS LXV off the coast of Chile.
U.s. and international naval forces participate in UNITAS LXV (65) off the coast of Chile.
A crew member from Coast Guard Cutter Diligence carries a bale of cocaine during a drug offload at Port Everglades, Florida, Sept. 9, 2024. The offload was a result of three separate drug interdictions by Coast Guard and international partner crews in the Caribbean Sea worth an estimated $54 million dollars. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Rodriguez)
Crew members form U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 111 and British Royal Navy team embarked aboard HMS Trent (P244) interdicts a semi-submersible drug smuggling vessel in the international waters of the Caribbean Sea, Aug. 26, 2024. Three suspected smugglers and 1,239 pounds of illegal narcotics from this interdiction were transferred to federal custody for prosecution by the U.S. Department of Justice. (Courtesy image from United Kingdom Royal Navy)
Combined Amphibious Raid: UNITAS 2024
U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Lofgren observes flight operations during UNITAS LXV
Deputy commander for Marine Forces South and Marine Forces Reserve visits Expeditionary Advanced Base North: UNITAS 2024
U.S. Marine F/A-18s with VMFA-112 and KC-130J with VMGR-234 support UNITAS LXV
U.S. Marine F/A-18s with VMFA-112 and KC-130J with VMGR-234 support UNITAS LXV
Multinational Force UNITAS leaders receive mission update brief during Exercise UNITAS LXV

OUR PRIORITIES

SOUTHCOM STRATEGY

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

 

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.