INNOVATION: Navy Deploys Unmanned Surface Vessels
Commercial operators have deployed 10 Saildrone Voyager Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) in the Caribbean, a critical first step in U.S. 4th Fleet's Operation Windward Stack.
Continuing Promise 2023
During Continuing Promise 2023, U.S. military medical teams deployed with USNS Burlington are working alongside host nation medical personnel in Panama, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Grenada to provide care to citizens in community clinics.
South American Defense Conference 2023
SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Laura Richardson joined regional defense leaders to discuss security challenges and regional cooperation during the South American Defense Conference 2023 (SOUTHDEC 23) Aug. 23-24 in Colombia
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

In Colombia, Hokanson Highlights Security Cooperation Partnerships
Multinational senior leader participants in the South American Defense Conference 2023 (SOUTHDEC 23) in Cartagena, Colombia, Aug. 23, 2023. U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander, U.S. Southern Command, joined defense leaders from 10 nations to discuss security challenges and regional cooperation during SOUTHDEC 23, hosted by Colombia, Aug. 23-24, 2023. Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, highlighted the role of the Department of Defense National Guard State Partnership Program in security cooperation. This image was acquired using a cellular device.
Sept. 17, 2023 - Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson joined regional defense leaders at U.S. Southern Command’s South American Defense Conference 2023 recently, highlighting the role of the Department of Defense National Guard State Partnership Program in security cooperation.
Gen. Richardson Meets with Senior Leaders in Peru
LIMA, Peru (Sept. 14, 2023) -- The commander of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, meets with Peruvian Minister of Defense Jorge Chavez to discuss security cooperation. The meeting included the participation of Joint Command of the Armed Forces Chief, Gen. Gen. Manuel Gómez, and senior Peruvian armed forces leaders. (Photo courtesy Peruvian Armed Forces)
Sept. 15, 2023 - The commander of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), Army Gen. Laura Richardson, visited Peru from Sept. 13 – 15 and met with senior government and military leaders to discuss the longstanding U.S.-Peru defense partnership.
Saildrones Set Sail in Support of U.S. 4th Fleet’s Operation Windward Stack
230913-N-N3764-1001 NAVAL STATION KEY WEST, Fl. - (Sept. 13, 2023) -- Commercial operators deploy Saildrone Voyager Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) out to sea in the initial steps of U.S. 4th Fleet’s Operation Windward Stack during a launch from Naval Air Station Key West’s Mole Pier and Truman Harbor, Sept. 13, 2023. Operation Windward Stack is part of 4th Fleet’s unmanned integration campaign, which provides the Navy a region to experiment with and operate unmanned systems in a permissive environment, develop Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) against near-peer competitors, and refine manned and unmanned Command and Control (C2) infrastructure, all designed to move the Navy to the hybrid fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Danette Baso Silvers/Released)
Sept. 14, 2023 - KEY WEST, Florida -- Commercial operators began deploying 10 Saildrone Voyager Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) out to sea today, a critical first step in U.S. 4th Fleet's Operation Windward Stack.
Continuing Promise 2023 Concludes in Trinidad and Tobago
20230908-N-IK388-0047 CARIBBEAN SEA (Sept. 8 2023) The U.S. Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Candace Bond, poses with Rear Adm. James Aiken and members of the Continuing Promise 2023 team during a tour of the medical sites. Continuing Promise 2023 marks the 13th mission to the region since 2007 and the first involving USNS Burlington. The mission will also foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and encourage the establishment of new partnerships among countries, non-government organizations, and international organizations.(U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Stacy M. Atkinsricks)
Sept. 10, 2023 - The Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport ship, USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10), completed its third stop in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago Sept. 10, 2023 in support of the Continuing Promise 2023 (CP23) mission.
Sgt. Major Rafael Rodriguez assumes duties as U.S. Southern Command’s Senior Enlisted Leader
MIAMI (Sept. 6, 2023) – The Senior Enlisted Leader of U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Rafael Rodriguez, gives remarks during the SOUTHCOM Senior Enlisted Leader change of responsibility ceremony at the command’s headquarters. During the ceremony, Rodriguez assumed duties as Senior Enlisted Leader, relieving the outgoing U.S. Army Command Sgt. Major Benjamin Jones, who is retiring after 36 years of service. (Photo by Lt. Col. Dustin Cammack, SOUTHCOM Public Affairs)
Sept. 6, 2023 - U.S. Marine Sgt. Major Rafael Rodriguez assumed duties as SOUTHCOM’s Senior Enlisted Leader on September 6, 2023, relieving outgoing U.S. Army Command Sgt. Major Benjamin Jones, during a change of responsibility ceremony at the command’s headquarters.
USNS Burlington Arrives in Trinidad and Tobago
Sept. 5, 2023 - The Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) arrived in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on Sept. 2nd, marking the third stop throughout the course of the Continuing Promise 2023 mission. The Burlington was previously in Santa Marta, Colombia in support of Continuing Promise 2023.
More

PHOTOS

U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson meets with Peruvian Minister of Defense Jorge Chavez.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson meets with Peruvian Minister of Defense Jorge Chavez.
20230908-N-IK388-0047 CARIBBEAN SEA (Sept. 8 2023) The U.S. Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Candace Bond, poses with Rear Adm. James Aiken and members of the Continuing Promise 2023 team during a tour of the medical sites. Continuing Promise 2023 marks the 13th mission to the region since 2007 and the first involving USNS Burlington. The mission will also foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and encourage the establishment of new partnerships among countries, non-government organizations, and international organizations.(U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Stacy M. Atkinsricks)
U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Rafael Rodriguez gives remarks during the SOUTHCOM Senior Enlisted Leader change of responsibility ceremony.
U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Benjamin Jones gives remarks during the SOUTHCOM Senior Enlisted Leader change of responsibility ceremony.
Army Gen. Laura Richardson gives remarks during the SOUTHCOM Senior Enlisted Leader change of responsibility ceremony.
The commander of U.S. Southern Command, Army Gen. Laura Richardson, U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Rafael Rodriguez, SOUTHCOM Senior Enlisted Leader, and U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Benjamin Jones stand at attention during a change of responsibility ceremony at the command’s headquarters.
The commander of U.S. Southern Command, Army Gen. Laura Richardson, and U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Rafael Rodriguez, SOUTHCOM Senior Enlisted Leader, pass the guidon during a change of responsibility ceremony at the command’s headquarters.
Expeditionary fast transport USNS Burlington (T-EFP 10) arrives in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Sept 2nd, 2023.
U.S. Air Force pararescuemen from the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing return from a search and rescue exercise alongside their Brazilian counterparts on Brazil’s Air Base Campo Grande in Campo Grande, Brazil, on August 25, 2023The New York Air National Guard deployed 100 Airmen to take part in Exercise Tapio, a combat search and rescue training exercise, as part of Brazil's State Partnership Program relationship with the New York National Guard. ( U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Sarah McKernan)
An HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopter flown by Airmen from the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing refuels from the wing’s C-130J Combat King II search and rescue aircraft during a search and rescue training mission over Campo Grande, Brazil, Aug. 23, 2023.
Brazilian security forces Airmen listen as a U.S. Air Force security forces Airman from the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing provides advice during an exercise at Brazil’s Air Base Campo Grande, in Campo Grande, Brazil, Aug. 25, 2023.The New York Air National Guard deployed 100 Airmen to take part in Exercise Tapio, a combat search and rescue training exercise, as part of Brazil's State Partnership Program relationship with the New York National Guard.
Multinational senior leader participants of the South American Defense Conference 2023 (SOUTHDEC 23), pose for a group photo.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, addresses attendees during the opening ceremony of the South American Defense Conference 2023 (SOUTHDEC 23).
General Commander of the Colombian Military Forces, Gen. Helder Giraldo, addresses attendees during the opening ceremony of the South American Defense Conference 2023 (SOUTHDEC 23).
Multinational senior leader participants of the South American Defense Conference 2023 (SOUTHDEC 23), pose for a group photo.
Group photo of senior leaders, including Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves, U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica Cynthia Telles, and the Commander of U.S. Southern Command, Gen. Laura Richardson.
During a press conference, Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves and the Commander of U.S. Southern Command, Gen. Laura Richardson, announce a three-year, $9.8 million U.S. funded security assistance initiative that will strengthen Costa Rica’s cyber defense capacity.
During a press conference, Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves and the Commander of U.S. Southern Command, Gen. Laura Richardson, announce a three-year, $9.8 million U.S. funded security assistance initiative that will strengthen Costa Rica’s cyber defense capacity.
During a press conference, Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves and the Commander of U.S. Southern Command, Gen. Laura Richardson, announce a three-year, $9.8 million U.S. funded security assistance initiative that will strengthen Costa Rica’s cyber defense capacity.
U.S. service members participate in a volleyball game with members of the local community in Almirante, Panama as part of the Continuing Promise 2023 mission.
U.S. Marine Cpl. Justin Goupil with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, conducts speed and tactical reload drills, Aug. 10, 2023, at the Base Expedicionária de Fuzileiros Navais in Formosa, Brazil, during the Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais’ (Brazilian Marine Corps’) annual Infantry Training Exercise Formosa. Exercise Formosa offers an ideal platform for the armed forces of multiple nations to enhance their interoperability, conduct joint military operations, and exchange invaluable insights on tactics and strategies. With the backdrop of an ever-changing global security landscape, the participation of the United States Marine Corps and militaries from multiple nations shows commitment to regional security and partnership. Goupil is from San Clemente, California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel)
U.S. Southern Command Public-Private Cooperation Office, partner Non-Federal Entities, U.S. Navy personnel and Panama’s Department of Security Entities participate in humanitarian assistance and disaster response training as part of Continuing Promise 2023 in Almirante, Panama.
20230701-N-EA586-1012 ALMIRANTE, PANAMA (July 2, 2023) Expeditionary fast transport USNS Burlington (T-EFP 10) arrives in Almirante, Panama, August 11, 2023. The U.S. Navy expeditionary fast transport USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) is on deployment to the U.S. Southern Command area of operations over the next two months as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command /U.S. 4th Fleet's Continuing Promise 2023 mission.(U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Conner Foy)
CARTAGENA, Colombia
A Joint Terminal Attack Controller from Spain looks through binoculars on a range outside Antofagasta, Chile, during exercise Southern Star 23, July 24, 2023.
A Joint Terminal Attack Controller from Chile calls in an airstrike on a range outside Antofagasta, Chile, during exercise Southern Star 23, July 24, 2023.
The Tradewinds 23 closing ceremony was held in Georgetown, Guyana, July 27, 2023. The multinational, two-week exercise included representatives from 21 nations and Army and Air National Guard units from Alabama, Florida, Missouri, Oklahoma and the Virgin Islands.
U.S. Air Force Col. Matt McKinney, Resolute Sentinel 23 Combined Joint Task Force Commander, and Fuerza Aérea del Perú Col. Fidel Castro, Resolute Sentinel 23 CJTF Deputy Commander, conduct a tour at the Centro Nacional de Operaciones de Imágenes Satelitales, Lima, Peru, July 4, 2023, as part of Resolute Sentinel 23. The space exercise, led by U.S. Southern Command in partnership with U.S. Space Command’s Joint Task Force Space Defense Commercial Operations (JCO) Cell, the Peruvian Aerospace Research and Development Center (CONIDA), and the Peruvian Air Force, aims to bolster the region's emerging space programs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Matlock)
he commander of U.S. Southern Command, U.S Army Gen. Laura Richardson, and Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief of Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, sign the Human Rights Framework.
The commander of U.S. Southern Command, U.S Army Gen. Laura Richardson, meets with CARICOM Secretary General Dr. Carla Natalie Barnett to discuss regional security, including cyber security and climate change.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, talks with Honduran President Xiomara Castro at the Casa Presidencial de Honduras in Tegucigalpa
U.S. Coast Guard members pose for a group photo with Gen. Laura Richardson, commander, U.S. Southern Command, during Tradewinds 2023, July 26, 2023, in Georgetown, Guyana.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, Commander of U.S. Southern Command and Guyana Defense Force (GDF) Brigadier Omar Khan, Chief of Staff of the GDF exchange plaques during the closing ceremony for Tradewinds 2023 at Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Guyana on July 27, 2023.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, Commander of U.S. Southern Command gives a speech during the closing ceremony for Tradewinds 2023 at Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Guyana on July 27, 2023.
Guyana Prime Minister, Mark Phillips and U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson conducted an exchange of jump wings ceremony during distinguished visitor day at Camp Stephenson, Guyana on July 26, 2023.
Guyana Prime Minister, Mark Phillips speaks with U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson during a reception for distinguished visitor day at Air Base London, Guyana on July 26, 2023.
U.S. Southern Command Commanding General, Gen. Laura Richardson (left), shakes the hand of a Mexican Marine paratrooper at an Airborne Wing Exchange ceremony at TRADEWINDS 23 on Camp Stephenson, Guyana, July 26, 2023.
Guyana leadership and foreign dignitaries attend an Airborne Wing Exchange ceremony at TRADEWINDS 23 on Camp Stephenson, Guyana, July 26, 2023.
Guyana leadership and foreign dignitaries speak to participants of TRADEWINDS 23 at Camp Stephenson, Guyana, July 26, 2023.
Guyana leadership and foreign dignitaries receive briefing about the operations of TRADEWINDS 23 at Camp Stephenson, Guyana, July 26, 2023.
Guyana leadership and foreign dignitaries receive a live, mock display of the operations of TRADEWINDS 23 at Camp Stephenson, Guyana, July 26, 2023.
Guyana leadership and foreign dignitaries receive a live, mock display of the operations of TRADEWINDS 23 at Camp Stephenson, Guyana, July 26, 2023.
Guyana leadership and foreign dignitaries receive a brief about the operations of TRADEWINDS 23 at Air Base London, Guyana, July 26, 2023.
Guyana leadership and foreign dignitaries receive a brief about the operations of TRADEWINDS 23 at Air Base London, Guyana, July 26, 2023.
U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Commander, Gen. Laura Richardson (right) and Gerry Gouveia, Guyana national security advisor, walk together at the distinguished visitor day during TRADEWINDS 23 at Air Base London, Guyana, July 26, 2023.
U.S. and Colombian forces in two small rubber boats transit a body of water with two ships in the background under a pinkish sky.
Airmen from the 8th Force Support Squadron simulate in-processing follow-on forces during training event
Resolute Sentinel 2023
Adm. Mike Gilday arrives visits Cartagena, Colombia.

COMMANDER'S PRIORITIES

SOUTHCOM STRATEGY

SOUTHCOM COMMANDER

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.