Official logo of U.S. Southern Command.

May 1, 2026

SOUTHCOM, SPACECOM Highlight Vital Role of Space in Western Hemisphere Security

Two top U.S. military generals highlighted the vital role of space capabilities in enabling U.S. and partner nation efforts to address shared threats in the Western Hemisphere during their opening remarks at the Space Conference of the Americas.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Nestor Rivera, aircraft structural maintenance instructor, 156th Tactical Advisory Squadron, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, assesses corrosion damage on the wing of a Cessna 172 at Panama City, Panama, March 16, 2026. (U.S. Air National Guard courtesy photo)

April 29, 2026

Air Advisors Enhance Panama's Aircraft Maintenance Capabilities, Bolster Regional Security

PANAMA CITY, Panama — Air Advisors from the 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron and the 156th Tactical Advisory Squadron conducted a Mobile Training Team mission with the Servicio Nacional Aeronaval of Panama from March 14- 21, 2026.

U.S. Space Forces Southern Guardians pose for a group photo at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, April 23, 2026. These Guardians completed their first Human Performance Assessment at Davis-Monthan, marking an early milestone for the unit following its activation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jaden Kidd)

April 28, 2026

Space Forces - Southern completes first Human Performance Assessment at Davis-Monthan

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — Guardians assigned to Space Forces - Southern completed their first-ever Human Performance Assessment on April 23, 2026, marking a historic milestone as the unit conducted an evaluation for the first time since its activation and a historical first for first at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

Dr. Rakesh Sukul, Ministry of Health director, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Eveline Yao, Air Force Medical Command special assistant to the commander, and Paul Watzlavick, Chargé d'Affaires, U.S. Embassy Paramaribo, exchange tokens of appreciation during the closing ceremony of the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) 2026 mission in Paramaribo, Suriname, April 23, 2026. The ceremony commemorated the partnership between the U.S. and Suriname, highlighting the important role of medical engagements and the value of building critical relationships between medical personnel from both countries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff. Sgt. Madeline Herzog)

April 28, 2026

LAMAT 2026 delivers care, builds readiness in Suriname

PARAMARIBO, Suriname — U.S. Air Force medical personnel and Surinamese health care providers concluded a two-week health security cooperation engagement during a closing ceremony for the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) 2026 at Suriname’s Ministry of Health headquarters, April 23, 2026.

Official logo of U.S. Southern Command.

April 25, 2026

SOUTHCOM's JTF Southern Spear continues to choke off illicit financing with string of successful maritime interdictions

Six months since its inception at the direction of U.S. Southern Command, Joint Task Force Southern Spear has significantly disrupted illicit maritime activity within the Western Hemisphere, dealing a critical blow to narco-terrorist networks and other illicit or sanctioned activities.

U.S. Navy Lt. Dmitriy Chekmenov, Patrol Squadron Thirty’s Maintenance Material Control Officer, left, talks to U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jeff Buddis, Air Boss, during Feria Internacional del Aire y del Espacio (FIDAE) 2026 in Santiago, Chile, April 7, 2026. The P-8 static display provided an opportunity for the U.S. military to engage with the public and share information about U.S. aviation and defense technology. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andrea Jenkins)

April 22, 2026

U.S. Navy P-8 strengthens regional ties at Chile’s international air show

SANTIAGO, Chile — Patrol Squadron (VP- 30) and the unit’s flight crew displayed a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon during Feria Internacional del Aire y del Espacio (FIDAE) 2026 in Santiago, Chile, April 7 - 12, 2026, reinforcing U.S. maritime patrol capability and integration with regional partners.

Three warships sail in formation together.

April 20, 2026

Chile Welcomes Nimitz Carrier Strike Group

VALPARAISO, Chile -- Ships of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG), including Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101), arrived in Valparaiso, Chile, for a scheduled port visit on April 17, 2026, as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet's Southern Seas 2026 deployment.

A group of workers with reflective vests and hard hats pose for a photo.

April 14, 2026

Joint Engineering Effort Assesses Bridge of the Americas in Panama

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is working alongside Panamanian agencies to assess the Bridge of the Americas following a tanker explosion, reinforcing a shared commitment to public safety and infrastructure resilience.

A Chilean air force KC-135E Stratotanker and U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II fly in Chilean airspace April 5, 2026. The aircraft completed the first-ever in-flight refueling with a Chilean tanker while enroute to Feria Internacional del Aire y del Espacio (FIDAE) 2026. (Courtesy photo)

April 10, 2026

U.S. and Chilean Air Force crews complete historic refueling

SANTIAGO, Chile — U.S. and Chilean Air Force (FACh) crews demonstrated advanced interoperability April 4, 2026, executing the first-ever Chilean KC-135 Stratotanker air-to-air refueling of two U.S. F-35A Lightning II aircraft—marking a significant step forward in bilateral airpower integration.

President of the Republic of Chile José Antonio Kast and Chilean senior government and military leaders participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony during the Feria Internacional del Aire y del Espacio (FIDAE) 2026 opening ceremony in Santiago, Chile, April 7, 2026. The ceremony marked the official opening of FIDAE 2026 and highlighted Chile’s leadership in advancing international air and space cooperation and regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andrea Jenkins)

April 9, 2026

FIDAE 2026 kicks-off highlights U.S.-Chile airpower, partnership

SANTIAGO, Chile — The U.S. Air Force and Space Force returned to Santiago, Chile in Feria Internacional del Aire y del Espacio (FIDAE) 2026, hosted by the Chilean Air Force (FACh) April 7, 2026.

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