Vice Adm. Alvin Holsey assumes duties as the new SOUTHCOM commander Nov. 7, relieving Gen. Laura J. Richardson, who is retiring after nearly four decades of service. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III will preside.
The Department of Defense is providing support to the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti.
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.
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.
In Chile Aug. 27-29, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Charles Q. Brown, and Gen. Laura Richardson joined with senior South American defense leaders to discuss leveraging new technologies to help confront regional threats.

LATEST NEWS AND RELEASES

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.

Secretary Del Toro Travels to Argentina for the XVI Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas
Oct. 17, 2024 - From October 13-16, 2024, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro led the United States delegation to the XVI Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas (CDMA) in Mendoza, Argentina. CDMA is the premier defense forum in the Western Hemisphere, convening the senior most national security and defense officials biennially. This year's event featured discussions on the responsible use of artificial intelligence, and climate and environmental challenges from a defense perspective.

SOUTHCOM to host change-of-command ceremony Nov. 07
Official shield of U.S. Southern Command.
Oct. 15, 2024 - U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Alvin Holsey is scheduled to assume duties as commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) from U.S. Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson during a change-of command ceremony 1 p.m. Nov. 7, 2024, at the command’s headquarters.

Honduran Minister of Defense Visits SOUTHCOM
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. The minister visited SOUTHCOM in Miami to meet with command leaders to discuss regional security and the longstanding U.S.-Honduran security partnership. (Photo by Erica Bechard, U.S. Southern Command Public Affairs)
Oct. 7, 2024 - Honduran Minister of Defense Rixi Moncada Godoy visited U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Oct. 7 to meet with SOUTHCOM commander, U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, and command leadership to discuss security cooperation.

U.S. Southern Command Donates Two Mobile Clinics to the People of Trinidad and Tobago
Sept. 19, 2024 - On September 18, the United States Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) Humanitarian Assistance Program through the U.S. Embassy Port of Spain donated two mobile medical units, known as “Clinics in a Can,” valued at US$490,534 to the people of Trinidad and Tobago through the Ministry of Health.

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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.

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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.