Continuing Promise 2024
Military personnel on USNS Burlington are deployed to the Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen partnerships, provide health and veterinary care, share expertise, support engineering projects and bolster disaster relief collaboration.
Southern Seas 2024: USS George Washington Strengthens South American Maritime Partnerships
USS George Washington (CVN 73), along with USS Porter (DDG 78) and USNS John Lenthall (T-AO-189), conducted passing exercises and operations at sea with partner nation maritime forces during the recent "Southern Seas 2024" deployment.
DoD Support to Haiti
The Department of Defense is providing support to the re-establishment of security at Haiti’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport security and Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission preparation efforts.

LATEST NEWS AND RELEASES

Argentina’s top military officer visits SOUTHCOM
MIAMI (July 25, 2024) U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), and Argentina’s Chief of Defense, Brig. Gen. Xavier Julián Isaac, stand at the entrance of the command's headquarters. Isaac met with Richardson and SOUTHCOM leadership to discuss the command's efforts to strengthen the bilateral defense partnership between the U.S. and Argentina. (Photo by Erica Bechard, SOUTHCOM Public Affairs)
July 26, 2024 - Argentine Armed Forces Joint Command Chief Gen. Xavier Isaac visited the headquarters of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) July 15 to discuss bilateral defense cooperation. He met with U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of SOUTHCOM, and senior command leaders to explore ways to further deepen the U.S.-Argentina defense partnership.
Coast Guard Cutter James returns home following South Atlantic Ocean deployment to counter illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
Boarding team members from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James (WMSL 754) board the Brazilian navy Amazonas (P 120) in the southern Atlantic Ocean, May 25, 2024. The boarding team practiced boarding procedures onboard the Amazonas during Operation Southern Cross 2024. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Logan Kaczmarek)
July 24, 2024 - The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter James (WMSL 754) returned to their home port in North Charleston, July 11, after completing a 98-day patrol in the South Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. James’ crew patrolled in support of Operation Southern Cross, promoting maritime governance with partners in the South Atlantic by working to illuminate and monitor illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU-F) activity in the region.
Coast Guard offloads more than $96 million in illegal narcotics interdicted in the Caribbean Sea
Crew members from Coast Guard Cutter Forward offload more than $96 million in illegal narcotics at Port Everglades, Florida, July 22, 2024. The offload is a result of three suspected drug smuggling interdictions in the international waters of the Caribbean Sea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
July 23, 2024 - The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Forward offloaded more than 7,302 pounds of cocaine with an assessed street value of approximately $96 million in Port Everglades, Monday.  Coast Guard crews, working alongside interagency and international partners, interdicted the illegal drugs in the international waters of the Caribbean Sea during three separate cases. 
Russia, China Vying for Influence in Southern Hemisphere With U.S.
Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, speaks at the Aspen Security Forum, Aspen, Colo., July 18, 2024.
July 18, 2024 - Russian warships have been making port visits to Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, and 22 nations in the U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility have signed on to China's Belt and Road Initiative, the Southcom commander said.
U.S. Army, Marine civil affairs boosts education in Peru during Resolute Sentinel 2024
A U.S. Soldier hands out school supplies to a student at the Corazón de Jesús school during Resolute Sentinel 2024 in Iquitos, Peru, June 6, 2024. During the visit, children were given the opportunity to directly ask questions to the collective visiting service members about their experiences and lives. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marco A. Gomez)
July 17, 2024 - Exercise Resolute Sentinel 2024, a joint military exercise involving the U.S. and partner nations, aims to improve readiness and strengthen bonds through a series of humanitarian and civic assistance activities. This year's mission has taken on an added layer of importance as U.S. Army, Marine and Peruvian Air Force teams came together to focus on supporting local communities in Peru.
AMISTAD24: Partnering with Paraguay for Medical Mission Success
U.S. military members and Paraguyan medical students participating in AMISTAD 24 gather around the 75th anniversary monument of the founding of the Fernheim Colony in Filadelfia, Paraguay, July 16, 2024. AMISTAD brings U.S. military health professionals together with partner nation medical teams to train and learn best practices together. This 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) led mission delivers valuable experiences to U.S. and partner nation medical professionals while increasing their ability to quickly work together in emergency situations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Carly Feliciano)
July 17, 2024 - Thirty-two Total Force U.S. Air Force Airmen and U.S. Army Massachusetts National Guard soldiers journeyed to Filadelfia to support this year's AMISTAD mission. AMISTAD, Spanish for friendship, is the core of their objective: to collaborate closely with local counterparts, enhancing mutual training efforts and delivering optimal patient care.
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PHOTOS

Two military personnel in front of flags posing for a photo.
Military personnel shake hands.
Military personnel salute in front of flags at the end of a red carpet flanked by a military ceremonial honor guard personnel.
Military personnel salute in front of flags at the end of a red carpet flanked by a military ceremonial honor guard personnel.
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Zachary Smith, mission commander for Continuing Promise 2024 poses for a group photo with local students, as Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) makes preparations to depart Limón, Costa Rica, during Continuing Promise 2024.
A patient uses a device to cover one of their eyes while reading from a card in a sailor’s hand as civilians stand in formation in a blurred background.
A look at Department of Defense support to the Haiti airport security and Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission preparation efforts, as of 12:45 pm EDT, July 16, 2024.
U.S. Army Sgt. Stephany Velasco, a veterinarian technician from the 248th Medical Detachment Veterinary Service Support, administers antibiotics to a dog awaiting surgery in Cabécar, Costa Rica, during Continuing Promise 2024.
A sailor hands a paper bag to a patient through the open window of a structure.
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James (WMSL 754) and the Brazilian navy Amazonas (P 120) conduct a passing exercise at sea in the southern Atlantic Ocean, May 25, 2024. The James and the Amazonas worked to execute tactical boat handling skills at sea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Logan Kaczmarek)
U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Tyler Deitrick signals a Brazilian navy Westland Super Lynx Mk-21A crew to land onboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James (WMSL 754) while at sea in the Southern Atlantic Ocean May 15, 2024. Deitrick signaled the helicopter to take off to the port side of James as part of a training exercise. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Logan Kaczmarek)
Crew members of the Coast Guard Cutter Forward offloading illicit drugs at Port Everglades, Florida, July 22, 2024. This offload was the result of three separate cases of drug smuggling in the Caribbean Sea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
Crew members from Coast Guard Cutter Forward offload more than $96 million in illegal narcotics at Port Everglades, Florida, July 22, 2024. The offload is a result of three suspected drug smuggling interdictions in the international waters of the Caribbean Sea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
Crew members of the Coast Guard Cutter Forward hoisting bales of cocaine from a secure space below deck at Port Everglades, July 22, 2024. Drugs interdicted by the Coast Guard are transferred to partner agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Agency for destruction. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
Lt. Rachel Rosedale speaks with a patient while providing patient care during Continuing Promise 2024 in Limón, Costa Rica.
U.S. military members and Paraguyan medical students participating in AMISTAD 24 gather around the 75th anniversary monument of the founding of the Fernheim Colony in Filadelfia, Paraguay, July 16, 2024. AMISTAD brings U.S. military health professionals together with partner nation medical teams to train and learn best practices together. This 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) led mission delivers valuable experiences to U.S. and partner nation medical professionals while increasing their ability to quickly work together in emergency situations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Carly Feliciano)
KINGSTON, Jamaica. (July 10, 2024) Lt. Byron Trinh and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Ricardo Maldonado provide dental work for a patient at the Jamaica Defense Force’s Up Park Camp Medical Clinic as part of Continuing Promise 2024 mission. Continuing Promise 2024 marks the 14th mission to the region since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships, and encourage the establishment of new partnerships among countries, non-government organizations, and international organizations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jasmin L. Aquino)
U.S. Army, Marine civil affairs boosts education in Peru during Resolute Sentinel 2024
U.S. Army, Marine civil affairs boosts education in Peru during Resolute Sentinel 2024
Private Espuet Jahmoy, center, from the Jamaica Defence Force, discusses the exercise with his group at the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Symposium focusing on the prevention of gender-based violence as part of Continuing Promise 2024. Continuing Promise 2024 marks the 14th mission to the region since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships, and encourage the establishment of new partnerships among countries’ non-government organizations, and international organizations.
KINGSTON, Jamaica (July 13, 2024) Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport ships USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) prepares to depart Kingston, Jamaica as part of Continuing Promise 2024. Continuing Promise 2024 helps to strengthen the defense readiness of Caribbean and Latin American partners against malign threats in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adriones Johnson)
Military personnel and a civilian pose for a photo.
Lt. Cmdr. Zachary Smith, mission commander for Continuing Promise 2024, greets U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica N. Nick Perry as he visits the Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) at the port of Kingston, Jamaica. Continuing Promise 2024 marks the 14th mission to the region since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships, and encourage the establishment of new partnerships among countries, non-government organizations, and international organizations.
Lt. Cmdr. Zachary Smith, Continuing Promise 2024 Mission Commander, and Lt. Daniel Ehrlich, Continuing Promise 2024 Public Affairs Officer, greet U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica N. Nick Perry prior to his visit and tour of Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) at Kingston Wharves.
The USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) departs Naval Station Mayport for Continuing Promise 2024 on July 3, 2024. Continuing Promise 2024 marks the 14th mission to the region since 2007 and the second aboard USNS Burlington. The mission will foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and encourage the establishment of new partnerships among countries, non-government organizations, and international organizations.
A photo of two military members waiting to fill a bag with preventive medicine supplies for a patient and her child.
A photo of a military medical professional using a stethoscope on a patient.
A photo of a military medical professional using a wooden stick and a cell phone flashlight to see inside a child's mouth while his mother holds him.
A look at Department of Defense support to the Haiti airport security and Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission preparation efforts, as of 4:00 pm EDT, June 28, 2024.
A look at Department of Defense support to the Haiti airport security and Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission preparation efforts, as of 9:00 am EDT, June 20, 2024.
Gen. Laura Richardson meets with Honduran President Xiomara Castro.
A photo of a Soldier talking.
A photo of a Soldier talking to a crowd.
A photo of service members saluting.
A photo of service members posing for a photo.
A photo of people standing at a table.
A look at Department of Defense support to the Haiti airport security and Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission preparation efforts, as of 5:00 pm EDT, June 14, 2024.
Three people wearing surgical uniforms and masks look down in a darkened room.
A photo of a firefighter drone in the sky with people looking up at it.
A photo of firefighters carrying part of a tent downhill.
A photo of people training in hazmat suits.
A photo of people repelling off a structure.
A photo of people repelling off a structure.
A photo of a man teaching a pistol class.
A photo of people posing in front of a helicopter.
A photo of a large crowd listening to a presentation.
A photo of a Soldier inspecting a helicopter propeller.
A photo of people looking at a piece of paper together.
A photo of service members listening to a brief.
A photo of a group of service members.

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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.