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Gen. Nelson Pintos, chief of the Uruguayan Joint Staff, greets Navy Adm. Kurt W. Tidd, commander of U.S. Southern Command, prior to the start of the sixth annual South America Defense Conference in Montevideo, Uruguay, Aug. 17, 2016. Uruguay and the United States co-hosted military leaders from eight South American nations and Canada during the two-day event, where they examined the changing role of the military in the region, and participated in briefings, panels, discussions and meetings on global peacekeeping operations, transregional threat networks, and the integration of women in military service. Southcom photo by Jose Ruiz

Aug. 18, 2016

South America Defense Conference Examines Military’s Role

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay — Military leaders from South America, the U.S. and Canada met in Montevideo, Uruguay, to discuss global peacekeeping operations, transregional threat networks and the integration of women in military service during an annual defense conference.

U.S. Army Spc. Courtney Moreland, a military working dog handler assigned to Joint Task Force-Bravo’s Joint Security Forces, and her MWD, Puma, ride a hoist to a UH-60L Black Hawk during training at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, August 15, 2016. The hoist training is vital to get the MWDs and their handlers familiar with the aircraft, because if either the MWD or its handler are injured they can be medically evacuated by hoist.

Aug. 18, 2016

JTF-Bravo K9s take to the sky

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras — Joint Task Force-Bravo has been a consistent presence in the Central American region since 1984, and is known by many for its helicopter support for humanitarian aid, disaster relief and counter-transnational organized crime operations and its medical readiness exercises; however, the scope of capabilities here go well beyond those primary missions.

Maj. Gen. K.K. Chinn (right), U.S. Army South commanding general, speaks to Alex Horton (left), a Stars & Stripes reporter, as Col. Thomas Gilleran (center), the Army South public affairs officer, listens Aug. 3 at Fort Sam Houston. The interview was part of a media day for the Multi-National Forces-South component of the annual PANAMAX exercise.

Aug. 18, 2016

Army South, partner nations wrap up PANAMAX 2016

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — U.S. Army South wrapped up Fuerzas Aliadas PANAMAX 2016, an annual U.S. Southern Command-sponsored multi-national exercise focused on ensuring the security of the Panama Canal and the surrounding region Aug. 4 at Fort Sam Houston.

Aug. 18, 2016

Army South, partner nations wrap up PANAMAX 2016

U.S. Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) James Smith, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element general surgeon, performs surgery on a patient during a MEDEL Mobile Surgical Team operation at the Dr. Salvador Paredes Hospital in Trujillo, Honduras, July 28, 2016. The MST performed 11 surgeries during the team’s three-day operation in Trujillo.

Aug. 11, 2016

Every move counts for JTF-Bravo’s Mobile Surgical Team

COLÓN, Honduras — The Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element's Mobile Surgical Team completed 11 surgeries at the Dr. Salvador Paredes Hospital in Trujillo, Honduras from July 27-29.

A young girl has her ear inspected by U.S. Army Spc. Kerry Holmes, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element medic, during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. MEDEL conducts MEDRETEs throughout Central America to provide a variety of medical services to the local populations, who otherwise would be unable to receive medical care from licensed providers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)

Aug. 8, 2016

Merging Civil Affairs and Medical Exercises for long-term success

COLÓN, Honduras — Soldiers under the command of Joint Task Force Bravo (JTF-B), Medical Element (MEDEL), executed a medical readiness training exercise for the first time in the village of La Boveda, Trujillo July 28-29, 2016, serving a total of 1,072 patients of all ages during the two-day event that involved key leaders from both JTF-Bravo and Honduras.

A member of the Belize Coast Guard climbs a Jacobs Ladder to board a CH-47 Chinook assigned to the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment during training off the coast of Belize City, July 18, 2016. For many of the BCG participants, this was the first time they were part of helocast and recovery operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)

Aug. 3, 2016

1-228th AVN, SOCSOUTH enhance Belizean CTOC capabilities

BELIZE DISTRICT — Joint Task Force-Bravo’s 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment deployed UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters to conduct a variety of training scenarios throughout the Belize District with members of the Belize Special Assignment Group and Belize Coast Guard -- who were supported by members of Special Operations Command South -- July 18 through 21.

Aug. 2, 2016

USS Shamal assists in five illicit trafficking interdictions that resulted in seizure of 1.4 kilos of cocaine

MAYPORT, Fla. (Aug. 02, 2016) – The Cyclone-class Patrol Coastal USS Shamal (PC 13) returns to homeport U.S. Naval Station Mayport after a 62-day deployment to the 4th Fleet area of responsibility.

Marine Corps Cpl. Kaleb R. Hougland, senior heavy equipment mechanic with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Southern Command, inspects a bulldozer during a construction project with Honduran service members and U.S. Marines at Puerto Castilla, Honduras, June 24, 2016. The Marines worked with Honduran engineers on construction and restoration projects and shared knowledge and experience. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ian Ferro

July 14, 2016

Southcom Commander Outlines Latin America Strategy

WASHINGTON — Latin America's challenges has global impact so strategies for the region cannot take place in isolation, Navy Adm. Kurt W. Tidd, commander of U.S. Southern Command, said.

A general surgery team performs laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery during New Horizons 2016 in the Dominican Republic. Laparoscopic surgical capability was available during New Horizons for the first time this year. The annual U.S. Southern Command-led readiness training exercise brought military civil engineers and medics together to provide humanitarian, dental and medical services to communities in the small Caribbean nation. (Courtesy photo)

July 8, 2016

Logistics team boosts medical versatility of New Horizons 2016

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas — Adapt and overcome is more than a catch phrase for two 59th Medical Wing warrior medics. Their ingenuity recently expanded surgical capabilities during New Horizons 2016 in the Dominican Republic.