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.
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.
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.
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
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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.

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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

 

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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.