U.S., Brazilian Soldiers Train During Southern Vanguard 2024
Southern Vanguard 2024 was a combined training exercise in Belem, Macapa, and Oiapoque, Brazil, Nov. 6 - 16. About 300 U.S. Army and National Guard Soldiers trained alongside more than 1,000 Brazilian army personnel.
Coast Guard Seizes $102M of Illegal Narcotics
USCG Cutter Escanaba’s crew offloaded more than 7,700 pounds of cocaine worth over $102 million at Port Everglades, Florida, Nov. 15. The drugs were interdicted during four separate cases in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
More on our efforts to Counter Transnational Criminal Organizations
INNOVATION: U.S. Navy's Hybrid Fleet Campaign
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet demonstrated unmanned air and surface capabilities from expeditionary fast transport USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) during the command’s Hybrid Fleet Campaign Event (HFCE) in Key West Oct. 4-13.
SOUTHCOM Celebrates 60 Years of Service
Photos, info and resources highlighting SOUTHCOM's 60 years of service in Latin America and the Caribbean since being re-designated "U.S. Southern Command" on June 11, 1963.

LATEST NEWS AND RELEASES

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba returns home to Portsmouth, Virginia, after interdicting $102 million worth of illegal narcotics
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba’s crew offload more than 7,700 pounds of cocaine worth over $102 million at Port Everglades, Florida, Nov. 15, 2023. The offloaded drugs were interdicted during four separate cases in the international waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean by the crews of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche, Escanaba, a U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron aircrew, a Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team, and federal and international partners. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of the Coast Guard’s Eighth District)
Nov. 21, 2023 - The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba returned home to Portsmouth, Monday, following a 51-day patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Escanaba’s crew disrupted illegal narcotics smuggling, interdicting 3,520 kilograms of cocaine valued at more than $102 million.
U.S. 4th Fleet Conducts Inaugural Maritime Planning Symposium
231116-O-N3764-1004 CALLAO, Peru (Nov. 16, 2023) – Partner nation junior officers work through a maritime planning scenario at the first-ever U.S. 4th Fleet Maritime Planning Symposium at the Peruvian Naval War College in Callao, Nov. 16, 2023. 25 junior officers from eight partner nations completed the seminar, which was supported by professors from the College of Operational Warfare – International Maritime Staff Officer Course at the U.S. Naval War College and U.S. 4th Fleet maritime planners. This and future seminars seek to increase proficiency and improve interoperability early in partner nation naval officers’ careers. (Peruvian Navy courtesy photo/Released)
Nov. 20, 2023 - CALLAO, Peru - Twenty-five naval officers from eight partner nations recently completed the first-ever U.S. 4th Fleet Maritime Planning Symposium at the Peruvian Naval War College (Escuela Superior de Guerra Naval) in Callao, Peru.
U.S., Brazilian armies complete Southern Vanguard exercise in Brazil
Brazilian Army soldiers stand in front of distinguished visitors during the closing ceremony for Exercise Southern Vanguard 24 in Oiapoque, Brazil, on Nov. 16, 2023. Exercise Southern Vanguard 24 is designed for U.S. Army soldiers to conduct pre-deployment activities, deploy, and conduct air assault operations while enhancing interoperability with Brazilian Army forces. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Joseph Liggio)
Nov. 20, 2023 - As the final salute echoed through the air, the closing ceremony of Southern Vanguard 24 signified a
Soldiers bridge the communications gap at Southern Vanguard 24
U.S. Army Maj. Aaron Spence, an international technology integrator assigned to Army South, demonstrates the radio interoperability capability- universal (RIC-U) to a group of Brazilian soldiers at Southern Vanguard 24 in Macapa, Brazil, Nov. 07, 2023. Southern Vanguard 24 is an annual bilateral exercise designed to enhance partner interoperability between participating U.S., and Brazil.
Nov. 13, 2023 - In support of the Army’s priority of engineering support to readiness, the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command developed the radio interoperability capability – universal, or RIC-U, voice bridge. The RIC-U allows direct communications between U.S. Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System and partner nations’ ground tactical radios.
ARSOUTH Soldier and Drill Sergeant reunited at Southern Vanguard 24
Sgt. 1st Class Ronnie Lewellen, an advisor assigned to the 1st Security Forces Assistance Brigade, conducts jungle movement and transportation methods during the academics portion of Southern Vanguard 24 in Belem, Brazil, Nov. 3, 2023. During jungle familiarization, Lewellen reconnected with one of his trainees from basic combat training.
Nov. 13, 2023 - Soldiers that graduate from Army basic combat training typically don’t want to see their drill sergeants after going through a rigorous 10-week training, but that wasn’t the case for Spc. Joshua Taeckens, who bumped into his old drill sergeant Sgt. 1st Class Ronnie Lewellen in the middle of the Amazonia River in Brazil.
USS Farragut Going Full Speed Ahead Making Multiple Drug Busts
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant (WMEC-617) conducts a joint operation with the USS Farragut (DDG-99) to interdict a drug smuggling vessel, Oct. 15, 2023, in the Caribbean Sea. During the patrol, Vigilant’s crew disrupted illegal narcotics smuggling, interdicting more than 5,600 pounds of illicit drugs. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Mann)
Nov. 9, 2023 - USS Farragut (DDG 99) has found success in stopping alleged illicit drug traffickers in the Caribbean, with four drug busts in October.
More

PHOTOS

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba’s crew offload more than 7,700 pounds of cocaine worth over $102 million at Port Everglades, Florida, Nov. 15, 2023. The offloaded drugs were interdicted during four separate cases in the international waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean by the crews of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche, Escanaba, a U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron aircrew, a Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team, and federal and international partners.
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba’s crew offload more than 7,700 pounds of cocaine worth over $102 million at Port Everglades, Florida, Nov. 15, 2023. The offloaded drugs were interdicted during four separate cases in the international waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean by the crews of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche, Escanaba, a U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron aircrew, a Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team, and federal and international partners.
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba’s crew offload more than 7,700 pounds of cocaine worth over $102 million at Port Everglades, Florida, Nov. 15, 2023. The offloaded drugs were interdicted during four separate cases in the international waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean by the crews of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche, Escanaba, a U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron aircrew, a Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team, and federal and international partners.
Three Soldiers talk after the closing ceremony for Exercise Southern Vanguard 24 in Oiapoque, Brazil.
Brazilian Army soldiers stand in front of distinguished visitors during the closing ceremony for Exercise Southern Vanguard 24.
A Brazilian Soldiers calls out to his teammates during the final assault of Exercise Southern Vanguard 24.
Brazilian Army soldiers assigned to the 52nd Jungle Infantry Battalion rush down a pile of gravel towards an enemy position.
A Soldier with a rifle fires on targets during the final assault of Exercise Southern Vanguard 24
A Brazilian Soldier walks down a trail during the final movement of Exercise Southern Vanguard 24.
Three soldiers kneel behind rocks as one fires a weapon while another holds ammo and another looks in the distance with greenery in the background.
U.S. and Brazilian armies field artillery soldiers pose for photo in Ferreira Gomes, Brazil, on Nov. 12, 2023
Soldiers discuss a plan of attack in a simulated firefight.
Soldiers fire on targets during a simulated attack.
A soldier on patrol during a nighttime troop movement during Exercise Southern Vanguard 24.
Soldiers conduct a combined mock-assault.
U.S. Soldiers conduct a combined mock-assault with Brazilian army soldiers.
A soldier on patrol during a training exercise.
A soldier moves through the jungle.
Soldiers transport in boats.
Brazilian Army soldiers conduct movement after arriving at the landing zone.
Soldiers are positioned on the ground as a helicopter takes off.
Soldiers bridge the communications gap at Southern Vanguard 24
Soldiers bridge the communications gap at Southern Vanguard 24
Soldiers bridge the communications gap at Southern Vanguard 24
ARSOUTH Soldier and Drill Sergeant reunited at Southern Vanguard 24
ARSOUTH Soldier and Drill Sergeant reunited at Southern Vanguard 24
Southern Vanguard 24 officially begins
Southern Vanguard 24 officially begins
Southern Vanguard 24 officially begins
Southern Vanguard 24 officially begins
Southern Vanguard 24 officially begins
Southern Vanguard 24 officially begins
Southern Vanguard 24 officially begins
Southern Vanguard 24 officially begins
Southern Vanguard 24 officially begins
Southern Vanguard 24 officially begins
U.S. Army Soldiers conduct jungle movement and transportation methods.
U.S. Army medics treat a Soldier.
U.S. Army Soldiers conduct jungle movement and recovery techniques.
Brazilian Army jungle school instructor provide instruction on jungle movement and recovery methods to U.S. Army Soldiers.
A member of the Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais provides security during a peacekeeping and riot control demonstration.
Members of the Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais demonstrate locating and disarming an explosive device.
Members of the Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais demonstrate locating and disarming an explosive device
Members of the Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais demonstrate peacekeeping and riot control techniques
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Omar J. Randall, deputy commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South, and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Reserve, meets with Contra almirante fuzileiro naval Claudio Eduardo Silva Dias.
Contra-almirante fuzileiro naval (Brazilian Marine Corps brigadier general) Claudio Eduardo Silva Dias (center), commanding general of the Brazilian Marine Corps’ Amphibious Division, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Omar J. Randall, deputy commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South, and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Reserve, salute each other.
A member of the Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais (right) reports to U.S. Marine Col. Omar J. Randal.
U.S. Marine Col. Omar J. Randall, deputy commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South, and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Reserve, talks with Brazilian Marines
Members of the Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais provide security during a peacekeeping and riot control demonstration.
The training further built confidence between the maintainers and aviators supporting U.S. Southern Command, and highlights one of JTF-Bravo's means of aerial recovery of inoperative and lightly and heavily damaged helicopters using medium-lift and heavy-lift helicopters as the recovery vehicles.

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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.

Gen. Richardson's Bio

 

Coronavirus Info

Graphic with text: COVID-19 Info for SOUTHCOM, USAG-Miami and assigned personnel

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.