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SOUTHCOM Leadership and Staff

Official photo of Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command.

Gen. Laura J. Richardson Commander, U.S. Southern Command

Directorates and Staff

Directorates are the functional divisions within SOUTHCOM. Each directorate is charged to support or manage an aspect of the mission. Click on the links below to learn more about each directorate.

Air Force Col Pedro A. Cotto-Perez, J1 Director Director J1 Manpower & Personnel: Air Force Col. Pedro A. Cotto-Perez

Official photo of Rear Adm. Michael A. Brookes Director J2 Intelligence: Navy Rear Adm. Michael A. Brookes

Coast Guard Rear Adm. Thomas Allan, Director J3 Director J3 Operations: Coast Guard Rear Adm. Adm. Thomas Allan

Marine Col. Douglas R. Burke, Director J4 Director J4 Logistics: Marine Col. Douglas R. Burke

Photo of Brig. Gen. Julie L. Nethercot Director J5 Strategy, Policy, and Plans: Marine Brig. Gen. Julie L. Nethercot

Bio Photo: Craig C. Smith Director J6 Communication Systems: Army Col. Craig C. Smith

Mr. Kevin J. Bostick, Director Exercises and Coalition Affairs, J7/9 Director J7/9 Exercises and Coalition: Kevin J. Bostick

J-8 Director, Dr. Adam Winkleman Director J8 Resources & Analysis: Dr. Adam Winkleman

Elizabeth Gonzalez, Chief Congressional Affairs Chief: Elizabeth Gonzalez

Army Lt. Col. Johannie San Miguel, IG SOUTHCOM Inspector General: Army Col. Johannie San Miguel

Official bio photo of Capt. Elysia Ng-baumhackl Staff Judge Advocate: Navy Capt. Elysia Ng-baumhackl

Official biography photo of Army Col. Manny Ortiz Public Affairs Chief: Army Col. Manny Ortiz

Chaplain: Navy Capt. Rob McClellan

Navy Capt. Christine L.G. Sears Command Surgeon: Navy Capt. Christine L. G. Sears

COMMANDER'S PRIORITIES

Strengthen Partnerships

Counter Threats

LATEST FROM SOUTHCOM

Gen. Richardson Visits Colombia, Brazil
May 26, 2023

DTRA repatriates usable radioactive materials in Guatemala, marking their first engagement in the U.S. Southern Command
May 22, 2023

US, Colombian armies strengthen partnership during training rotation
May 17, 2023

JTF-Bravo Joins Panamanian Humanitarian Exercise
May 12, 2023

TWITTER

WATCH: Soldiers assigned to the @7thForces participate in CENTAM Guardian 2023, an annual, multinational partnersh… https://t.co/Z0X2iWnxzg

#Caribbean partnerships in action: Between March 10-13, the @kon_marine ship https://t.co/oyEIdO7acU. Holland & an… https://t.co/jQbxgMjoLt

RT @AFSOUTH: Patient movement experts from the Guatemalan Air Force, @FFAAHN, Fuerza Aerea El Salvador, @FACh_Chile, @usairforce , SICOFAA,…

RT @AFSOUTH: ...#interoperability through unity in response to a crisis. Best practices and areas for future collaboration were shared by…

RT @jiatfs: Great work by @ArmadaColombia @FuerzaAereaCol for carrying out this operation. @JIATFS mission is to assist in the effort to co…

Honoring our Gold Star Spouses: A look at our #GoldStarSpousesDay luncheon yesterday where the #SOUTHCOM and U.S. A… https://t.co/igAzykP05C

RT @USCGSoutheast: #DrugBust The crew of USS Farragut (DDG 99) offloaded 2,314 kilograms of #cocaine & 1,986 pounds of #marijuana worth $69…

RT @SECNAV: @USNavyCNO & I are pleased to announce our plan to scale unmanned platforms to @NAVSOUS4THFLT. This AOR provides an environment…

RT @USCGSoutheast: #IUUFishing #IUUF “Bringing these platforms & technologies to @NAVSOUS4THFLT sends a strong signal to our Caribbean, our…

RT @SOCSOUTH: PANAMA 🇵🇦- #SpecialBoatTeam 22 advises Oficina de Fuerzas Maritima Conjunta on boat interdiction operations rehearsals. Marit…

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