Continuing Promise 2022: Hospital Ship Mission to Latin America, Caribbean
USNS Comfort is deployed as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Continuing Promise 2022 mission. Teams from the Comfort will provide care and services in 5 nations.
Gen. Richardson Joins Reagan National Defense Forum Panel
Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, joined defense leaders from the U.S., Finland and Singapore Dec. 3 to discuss the strategic advantage of cooperating with allies and partners.
Build Our Team: Army Hosts Exchange with Colombian NCOs
U.S. Army South hosted Colombian noncommissioned officers in the U.S. for 13 days for a military-to-military engagement conducted semi-annually with the Colombian army and other invited participants.
U.S. Army South website
WATCH: USNS Comfort Crew Provides Care in Colombia
Recap of the Continuing Promise 2022 mission stop in Colombian where the crew of the hospital ship provided care to more than 4K patients in Cartagena during the humanitarian assistance and goodwill mission.
WATCH: Arkansas Air National Guard Supports Continuing Promise 2022
Interview with Maj. Shaw and Maj. Peters, 188th Medical Group, reporting on efforts by the Arkansas Air National Guard in Guatemala during USNS Comfort's Continuing Promise 2022 humanitarian mission.

LATEST NEWS AND RELEASES

SOUTHCOM Commemorates 25th Anniversary of its Human Rights Initiative
MIAMI, Florida (Dec. 1, 2022) – Senior leaders and representatives from the U.S. military, Western Hemisphere militaries, governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and academia pose for a group photo at a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the command’s Human Rights Initiative (HRI). More than 100 multinational participants gathered at the SOUTHCOM headquarters for the commemoration. Since 1997, HRI has brought together military, public security, government, and civil society representatives from across the hemisphere with the aim of developing comprehensive and effective human rights programs for defense and security forces. (Photo by Jose Ruiz, U.S. Southern Command Public Affairs)
Dec. 1, 2022 - More than 100 participants representing Western Hemisphere militaries, governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and academia gathered in the Conference Center of the Americas at the headquarters of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Dec. 1 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the command’s Human Rights Initiative (HRI).
SOUTHCOM Commander Meets with President, Military Leaders During Visit to Dominican Republic
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (Nov. 30, 2022) -- Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, delivers remarks at the opening ceremony for the Dominican Republic portion of Continuing Promise 2022, Nov. 30, 2022. Continuing Promise 2022 is a humanitarian assistance and goodwill mission conducting direct medical care, expeditionary veterinary care, and subject matter expert exchanges with five partner nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Mullen)
Nov. 30, 2022 - The commander of U.S. Southern Command, Army Gen. Laura Richardson, visited Dominican Republic Nov. 28 – 30, meeting with Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader and military leaders to discuss security cooperation.
USNS Comfort Brings WPS to Colombia
221115-N-LP924-1013 CARTAGENA, Colombia (Nov. 15, 2022) Young mothers and their children await medical care provided by the staff assigned to hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) as part of Continuing Promise 2022 at Juan Fe in Cartagena, Colombia, Nov. 15, 2022. Comfort is deployed to U.S. 4th Fleet in support of Continuing Promise 2022, a humanitarian assistance and goodwill mission conducting direct medical care, expeditionary veterinary care, and subject matter expert exchanges with five partner nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sophia Simons)
Nov. 28, 2022 - USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) Continuing Promise team supports a Women, Peace and Security (WPS) event in the Colombia and held discussions around the four pillars of WPS; participation, protection, prevention, and relief and recovery.
USNS Comfort Arrives in Dominican Republic for Continuing Promise
221127-N-DF135-1024 SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (Nov. 27, 2022) – The hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) sits anchored in the harbor of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Nov. 27, 2022. Comfort is deployed to U.S. 4th Fleet in support of Continuing Promise 2022, a humanitarian assistance and goodwill mission conducting direct medical care, expeditionary veterinary care, and subject matter expert exchanges with five partner nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Deven Fernandez)
Nov. 27, 2022 - SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- Hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) anchored off the coast of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in support of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet's Continuing Promise 2022 (CP22) mission, Nov. 27.
SOUTHCOM Commander celebrates Thanksgiving with troops at Naval Station Guantanamo
U.S. NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (Nov. 24, 2022) – Gen. Laura Richardson, commander, U.S. Southern Command, center, serves Thanksgiving lunch to service members at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Nov. 24, 2022. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Deven Fernandez)
Nov. 25, 2022 - Servicemembers stationed at Naval Station Guantanamo received some distinguished visitors as Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), and members of the SOUTHCOM command team, joined them to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday.
USNS Comfort Completes Its Third Mission Stop of CP 2022 in Colombia
221118-N-VQ41-1133 CARTAGENA, Colombia (Nov. 18, 2022) Gen. Laura J. Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, speaks to U.S. and Colombian service members and officials during a closing ceremony signaling the end of the Colombia portion of Continuing Promise 2022 on the pier next to hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), Nov. 18, 2022. Comfort is deployed to U.S. 4th Fleet in support of Continuing Promise 2022, a humanitarian assistance and goodwill mission conducting direct medical care, expeditionary veterinary care, and subject matter expert exchanges with five partner nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ethan J. Soto)
Nov. 25, 2022 - CARTAGENA, Colombia -- U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) completed its third mission stop of Continuing Promise 2022 in Cartagena, Colombia, Nov. 20, 2022.
More

PHOTOS

Senior leaders and representatives from the U.S. military, Western Hemisphere militaries, governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and academia pose for a group photo at a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the command’s Human Rights Initiative (HRI).
Leana D. Bresnahan, former director of the U.S. Southern Command Human Rights Office, speaks during a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of U.S. Southern Command’s Human Rights Initiative (HRI).
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere Daniel Erikson, gives opening remarks at a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the U.S. Southern Command’s Human Rights Initiative (HRI).
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere Daniel Erikson gives opening remarks at a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the U.S. Southern Command’s Human Rights Initiative (HRI).
The commander of U.S. Southern Command, Army Gen. Laura Richardson, gives opening remarks at a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the command’s Human Rights Initiative (HRI).
The commander of U.S. Southern Command, Army Gen. Laura Richardson, gives opening remarks at a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the command’s Human Rights Initiative (HRI).
The commander of U.S. Southern Command, Army Gen. Laura Richardson, gives opening remarks at a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the command’s Human Rights Initiative (HRI).
Gen. Laura Richardson, commander, U.S. Southern Command, tours a medical site during Continuing Promise 2022 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Gen. Laura Richardson, commander, U.S. Southern Command, speaks at a women’s health fair.
The commander of U.S. Southern Command, Army Gen. Laura Richardson, meets with Dominican Republic Minister of Defense, Lt. Gen. Carlos Luciano Díaz Morfa.
The commander of U.S. Southern Command, Army Gen. Laura Richardson, stands alongside Dominican Republic Minister of Defense, Lt. Gen. Carlos Luciano Díaz Morfa.
The commander of U.S. Southern Command, Army Gen. Laura Richardson, meets with attendees of a women’s health fair that was part of the USNS Comfort's Continuing Promise 2022 humanitarian mission in the country.
Senior government officials pose for a photo.
Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, delivers remarks at the opening ceremony for the Dominican Republic portion of Continuing Promise 2022, Nov. 30, 2022.
Colombian and Mexican army senior enlisted advisors tour the U.S. Coast Guard Manowar.
221115-N-LP924-1013 CARTAGENA, Colombia (Nov. 15, 2022) Young mothers and their children await medical care provided by the staff assigned to hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) as part of Continuing Promise 2022 at Juan Fe in Cartagena, Colombia, Nov. 15, 2022. Comfort is deployed to U.S. 4th Fleet in support of Continuing Promise 2022, a humanitarian assistance and goodwill mission conducting direct medical care, expeditionary veterinary care, and subject matter expert exchanges with five partner nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sophia Simons)
221127-N-DF135-1024 SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (Nov. 27, 2022) – The hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) sits anchored in the harbor of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Nov. 27, 2022. Comfort is deployed to U.S. 4th Fleet in support of Continuing Promise 2022, a humanitarian assistance and goodwill mission conducting direct medical care, expeditionary veterinary care, and subject matter expert exchanges with five partner nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Deven Fernandez)
221118-N-VQ41-1133 CARTAGENA, Colombia (Nov. 18, 2022) Gen. Laura J. Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, speaks to U.S. and Colombian service members and officials during a closing ceremony signaling the end of the Colombia portion of Continuing Promise 2022 on the pier next to hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), Nov. 18, 2022. Comfort is deployed to U.S. 4th Fleet in support of Continuing Promise 2022, a humanitarian assistance and goodwill mission conducting direct medical care, expeditionary veterinary care, and subject matter expert exchanges with five partner nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ethan J. Soto)
Gen. Laura Richardson, commander, U.S. Southern Command, and Command Sgt. Maj. Benjamin Jones, pose for a cake cutting during a Thanksgiving lunch for service members at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Nov. 24, 2022.
Gen. Laura Richardson, commander, U.S. Southern Command, center, speaks with service members during a Thanksgiving lunch at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Nov. 24, 2022.
Gen. Laura Richardson, commander, U.S. Southern Command, center, gives a holiday speech to Sailors, Marines, and Soldiers at a Thanksgiving lunch in the gold hill galley on U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on Nov. 24, 2022.
Gen. Laura Richardson, commander, U.S. Southern Command, center, serves Thanksgiving lunch to service members at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Nov. 24, 2022.
Exercise Southern Vanguard 23 comes to a close
Exercise Southern Vanguard 23 comes to a close
Exercise Southern Vanguard 23 comes to a close
Exercise Southern Vanguard 23 comes to a close
Exercise Southern Vanguard 23 comes to a close
Exercise Southern Vanguard 23 comes to a close
US Army hosts professional development exchange with Colombian NCOs
US Army hosts professional development exchange with Colombian NCOs
US Army hosts professional development exchange with Colombian NCOs
US Army hosts professional development exchange with Colombian NCOs
New York Air National Guard Tech Sgt. Jeremy Miter, right, a member of the 274th Air Support Operations Squadron, is congratulated by the chief of Brazil’s world-famous Jungle Warfare Training School in Manas, Brazil, Nov. 17, 2022, after completing the international course. Miter attended the course as part of the State Partnership Program agreement between Brazil and the New York National Guard.
CARTAGENA, Colombia (Nov. 18, 2022) Sailors attached to hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) and the Colombian navy present their nation's flags during a closing ceremony signaling the end of the Colombia portion of Continuing Promise 2022 on the pier next to Comfort, Nov. 18, 2022.
A sailor in medical uniform and mask uses magnifying glasses to look inside a patient's mouth.
221117-N-VQ41-1138 CARTAGENA, Colombia (Nov. 17, 2022) Cmdr. Tamara Kemp, a plastic surgeon from Park City, Utah, assigned to hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), left, and Maria Nadales, a physician from Vama, Venezuala volunteering aboard Comfort, perform surgery on a young Colombian patient aboard Comfort, Nov. 17, 2022. Comfort is deployed to U.S. 4th Fleet in support of Continuing Promise 2022, a humanitarian assistance and goodwill mission conducting direct medical care, expeditionary veterinary care, and subject matter expert exchanges with five partner nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ethan J. Soto)
221117-N-VQ41-1020 CARTAGENA, Colombia (Nov. 17, 2022) Maria Nadales, a physician from Vama, Venezuala volunteering aboard hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), holds a young Colombian patient before a cosmetic surgery aboard Comfort, Nov. 17, 2022. Comfort is deployed to U.S. 4th Fleet in support of Continuing Promise 2022, a humanitarian assistance and goodwill mission conducting direct medical care, expeditionary veterinary care, and subject matter expert exchanges with five partner nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ethan J. Soto)
221116-N-LP924-1170 CARTAGENA, Colombia (Nov. 16, 2022) Cmdr. Angela Roldan-Whitaker, from Bogota, Colombia, assigned to the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), feeds a child during a Women’s, Peace and Security (WPS) event with free medical care as part of Continuing Promise 2022 at Juan Fe, in Cartagena, Colombia, Nov. 16, 2022. Comfort is deployed to U.S. 4th Fleet in support of Continuing Promise 2022, a humanitarian assistance and goodwill mission conducting direct medical care, expeditionary veterinary care, and subject matter expert exchanges with five partner nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sophia Simons)
221116-N-LP924-1160 CARTAGENA, Colombia (Nov. 16, 2022) Lt. Lindsey Grzegorzewski, from Cincinnati, Ohio, assigned to the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), feeds a child during a Women’s, Peace and Security (WPS) event with free medical care as part of Continuing Promise 2022 at Juan Fe, in Cartagena, Colombia, Nov. 16, 2022. Comfort is deployed to U.S. 4th Fleet in support of Continuing Promise 2022, a humanitarian assistance and goodwill mission conducting direct medical care, expeditionary veterinary care, and subject matter expert exchanges with five partner nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sophia Simons)
221117-N-VQ41-1022 CARTAGENA, Colombia (Nov. 17, 2022) A young Colombian patient sits on an operating room table aboard hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), before his cosmetic surgery, Nov. 17, 2022. Comfort is deployed to U.S. 4th Fleet in support of Continuing Promise 2022, a humanitarian assistance and goodwill mission conducting direct medical care, expeditionary veterinary care, and subject matter expert exchanges with five partner nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ethan J. Soto)
CARTAGENA, Colombia (Nov. 15, 2022) Lt. Hillary Diffee, from Stuart, Florida, assigned to the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), inspects teeth during a Women’s, Peace and Security (WPS) event with free medical care as part of Continuing Promise 2022 at Juan Fe, in Cartagena, Colombia, Nov. 15, 2022.
Cmdr. Angela Roldan-Whitaker, from Bogota, Colombia, plays with a child during a Continuing Promise 2022 event in Cartagena, Colombia.
Cmdr. Angela Roldan-Whitaker, from Bogota, Colombia, plays with a child during a Continuing Promise 2022 event in Cartagena, Colombia.
Brig. Gen. Rodney Boyd, Assistant Adjutant General – Army and Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard, passes the Combined Task Force (CTF) guidon to the CTF commander during the opening ceremony of Exercise Southern Vanguard 23 on Nov. 8 at Tolemaida Military Base, Colombia.
Soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard stand in formation during the opening ceremony of Exercise Southern Vanguard 23 at Tolemaida Military Base, Colombia, Nov. 8, 2022.
Brig. Gen. Rodney Boyd, Assistant Adjutant General -Army and Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard, and Colombian Army Brig. Gen. Hernando Garzon Rey, U.S. Army South Deputy Commanding General - Interoperability, receive an operations brief of Exercise Southern Vanguard 23 on Nov. 8, 2022 at Tolemaida Military Base, Colombia.
2nd Lt. Nolan Hromidko, of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Illinois Army National Guard, holds a snake which represents the Colombian Army's predominance in jungle operations prior to the opening ceremony of Exercise Southern Vanguard 23 on Nov. 8, 2022 at Tolemaida Military Base, Colombia.
Musician 2nd Class Andrea Pharis, assigned to the U.S. Fleet Forces band and the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), plays the cowbell with a child from Fundacion Guerreros de Luz while performing in a concert in Cartagena, Colombia, Nov. 14, 2022.
Continuing Promise 2022 visit to Cartagena, Colombia.
The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) (rear), her 11-meter rigid inflatable boat (center), and Dominican navy vessels, Altair (GC-112) (right) and Becrux (LI-170) (left), conduct a bilateral maritime interdiction exercise off the coast of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic November 10, 2022. Milwaukee is deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission, which includes counter-illicit drug trafficking missions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

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Gen. Laura J. Richardson bio photo

Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson is the 25th commander of SOUTHCOM. 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

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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.

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