Dec. 14, 2025

CJOTC: Solidifying Pathways through the Jungle

BASE AERONAVAL CRISTÓBAL COLÓN, Panama — Dense jungle canopy, oppressive heat and unforgiving terrain tested U.S. and Panamanian service members during the Combined Jungle Operations Training Course (CJOTC). Conducted Nov. 28–Dec. 15, the 17-day course pushed participants to refine the skills needed to operate effectively in jungle environments while strengthening multinational interoperability.

Dec. 12, 2025

Lt. Gen. Pettus Assumes Command of SOUTHCOM; Adm. Holsey Retires

Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey relinquished duties as commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) to Air Force Lt. Gen. Evan L. Pettus during a ceremony at the command’s headquarters Dec. 12 in Doral, Florida. Holsey is retiring after more than 37 years of service in the U.S. Navy.

Dec. 11, 2025

Admiral Holsey’s Steady Leadership Reshapes Security Across the Western Hemisphere

MIAMI, Florida — Inside the office of U.S. Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey hung a framed letter. It was easy to overlook, but it was on display nonetheless. The paper inside is slightly faded and signed decades ago by a man who once told a young college student that he could become a Naval officer and a pilot. The letter offered an opportunity, and Adm. Holsey believed it. That belief grew into a Navy career defined by results and the quiet confidence of a leader who cared more about the mission and the people than recognition.

Dec. 2, 2025

Pentagon Provides Update on Operation Southern Spear, Reaffirms Socom Called for Second Strike on Drug Boat

The War Department provided an update on the U.S. military's counter-narco-terrorism campaign, Operation Southern Spear, including the casualties inflicted upon suspected narco-terrorists and a reemphasis on how the operation's first kinetic boat strike unfolded. 

Nov. 27, 2025

Hegseth Pays Surprise Thanksgiving Day Visit to Sailors in Southcom AOR

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth paid a surprise Thanksgiving visit to a pair of Navy warships operating in the U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility as part of the military's anti-narco-terror mission, Operation Southern Spear. 

Nov. 23, 2025

USS Mahan and GDFS Shahoud Conduct Maritime Exercise

CARIBBEAN SEA — U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) conducted maritime interoperability exercises with the Guyana Defence Force Defiant-class patrol vessel GDFS Shahoud (1039), Nov 22.

Nov. 21, 2025

Hegseth Says Designating Venezuelan Cartel as Terrorist Org Will Bring 'New Options' to Administration

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said plans to declare Venezuela's state-embedded criminal network Cartel de los Soles a terrorist organization will bring "a whole bunch of new options" to how the U.S. deals with narco-terrorists in that region.

Nov. 20, 2025

JTF-Bravo hosted 20th iteration of CENTAM SMOKE Exercise

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras — Joint Task Force-Bravo hosted the 20th iteration of Exercise CENTAM SMOKE at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, from Nov. 3–7, 2025.

Nov. 17, 2025

Joint Task Force-Bravo, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), Provide Foreign Humanitarian Assistance to Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica. — Joint Task Force-Bravo, in concert with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), provided critical humanitarian assistance to Jamaica following the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa from Oct. 31 to Nov. 13, 2025.

Nov. 16, 2025

Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group Enters Caribbean Sea

CARIBBEAN SEA — The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, led by the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), transited the Anegada Passage and entered the Caribbean Sea, Nov. 16.