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
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.
Focus on Caribbean Security: Exercise Tradewinds 2023
Tradewinds 2023, held in Guyana July 15 - 28, 2023, was a Caribbean-focused multi-dimensional training exercise conducted in the ground, air, sea, and cyber domains.
Strengthening Partnerships: UNITAS LXIV Maritime Exercise in Colombia
U.S. and multinational forces, including 26 warships/vessels, 3 submarines, 25 aircraft, and 7,000 personnel were in Colombia July 11 - 21 for training during the annual UNITAS maritime exercise.
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

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.
New York Guard Conducts Search and Rescue Training in Brazil
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.
Aug. 30, 2023 - One hundred New York National Guard Airmen conducted combat search and rescue exercises with their Brazilian Air Force counterparts Aug. 16-27. The Airmen, most of whom are assigned to the 106th Rescue Wing, conducted missions simulating the recovery of downed aircrew and refueled search and rescue helicopters in the air. They also completed on-ground security exercises and trained Brazilian parachute rescue personnel.
Continuing Promise 2023 Concludes in Santa Marta, Colombia
SANTA MARTA, Colombia (Aug. 20, 2023) Expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Burlington (T-EFP 10) arrives in Santa Marta, Colombia, Aug. 20, 2023. 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 Lt. j.g. Nicko West)
Aug. 30, 2023 - The Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport ship, USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10), completed its second stop in Santa Marta, Colombia, Aug. 30, 2023 in support of the Continuing Promise 2023 (CP23) mission.
New York Army National Guard Medics Train in Brazil
Aug. 25, 2023 - Fifteen New York Army National Guard medics and physician assistants traveled to Brazil to participate in South America’s largest military humanitarian response exercise Aug. 12-18. The Soldiers, from the 466th Medical Company, Area Support, joined 100 other foreign military personnel from 13 countries and 1,700 Brazilians for Operation Parana III in Parana State.
South American Defense Leaders Meet to Discuss Regional Threats, Cooperation
CARTAGENA, Colombia (Aug. 23, 2023) -- Multinational senior leader participants of the South American Defense Conference 2023 (SOUTHDEC 23), pose for a group photo. U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of SOUTHCOM, joined defense leaders from 10 nations to discuss security challenges and regional cooperation during SOUTHDEC 23, hosted by Colombia Aug. 23-24, 2023. (Photo Erica Bechard, U.S. Southern Command Public Affairs)
Aug. 25, 2023 - The conference aimed to strengthen partnerships to address two key issues that concern security leaders and citizens: cyber security and climate/environmental security. During SOUTHDEC, leaders worked to identify ways to strengthen those capabilities and collaborate to assume an environmental defense role in South America.
More

PHOTOS

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.
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. 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.
Two helicopters fly over rolling brown hills with military insignia adorning them.
Airmen in tactical gear, cropped above waste in photo are in a barren landscape.
Aircrew sit on an aircraft in the sky and view the ocean landscape below them.
Two airmen lift a causality evacuation litter transload into an aircraft.
Gen. Laura Richardson, Commander, U.S. Southern Command, receives a gift during UNITAS LXIV, July 21, 2023. UNITAS is the world’s longest-running maritime exercise.
Gen. Laura Richardson, Commander U.S. Southern Command, speaks to the crew aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS New York (LPD 21) during UNITAS LXIV, July 21, 2023.

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.

SOUTHCOM TWITTER