Strengthening the U.S.-Panama Partnership
U.S. Marines are in Panama to train and work alongside Panamanian security forces in support of a broader joint initiative to establish a combined jungle operations training center.
Strengthening the U.S.-Dominican Defense Partnership
Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey visited the Dominican Republic Aug. 7 - 8, 2025, and met with top defense leaders for discussions on strengthening the bilateral defense partnership and addressing shared regional security challenges.
Coast Guard Seizes $74M Worth of Cocaine
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma’s crew offloaded approximately 9,970 pounds of cocaine worth $73.7 million, Tuesday, at Port Everglades. The seized contraband was the result of an interdiction June 24 approximately 120 miles northwest of Ecuador.
Hospital Ship Deploys to Latin America and the Caribbean for Continuing Promise Mission
USNS Comfort deployed for the Continuing Promise 2025 mission. The ship is scheduled to visited Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Grenada, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago.
Supporting Counterdrug Operations: Joint Interagency Task Force South
JIATF South helps degrade & dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean by leveraging all-domain capabilities to target, detect and monitor illicit drug trafficking in the air and maritime domains.

LATEST NEWS AND RELEASES

SOUTHCOM Commander Meets with Defense Leaders in Dominican Republic
The commander of U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey visits the Ministry of Defense’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber Security and Intelligence (C5i) Center in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Aug. 8, 2025. Holsey visited Dominican Republic Aug. 7 – 8, 2025 to meet with top defense leaders and reaffirm the longstanding military partnership between both nations. (U.S. Embassy Dominican Republic photo)
Aug. 11, 2025 - The commander of U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, visited the Dominican Republic Aug. 7 – 8, 2025, and met with top defense leaders to reaffirm the longstanding military partnership between both nations.
U.S. Marines join Panamanian security institutions for combined jungle training and security cooperation
A U.S. Air Force C-130J Hercules assigned to the 39th Airlift Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, is unloaded at Aeropuerto International de Panama Pacifico, Panama, Aug. 10, 2025. The cargo was delivered to support U.S. Southern Command’s goal to expand its ongoing coordination, collaboration, and security efforts where U.S. military personnel and Panamanian security institutions can bolster collective capabilities and skills, as well as facilitate a combined joint learning environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Julia Lebens)
Aug. 10, 2025 - U.S. Marines assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, based out of Camp Lejeune, NC, arrived in Panama the first week of August 2025 as part of a combined effort to conduct training, strengthen bilateral security cooperation, and build operational trust with Panamanian security forces.
PANAMAX-Alpha 2025: U.S. Southern Command Leads Bilateral Exercise to Protect Panama Canal
PANAMA CITY, Panama - Panamanian Security Forces hoists a military working dog (MWD) onto a vessel during a Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) tactical training event as part of the PANAMAX-ALPHA 2025 off the coast of Panama City, Panama, Aug. 7, 2025. MWDs play a critical role in enhancing both safety and effectiveness for the boarding team. Their primary uses include explosive and narcotics detection, suspect apprehension and control and force protection. Their heightened senses allow them to detect movement, concealed threats, or hostile intent before human operators can, providing an early warning system during tense maritime boardings. Through combined operations, participating forces refine tactics, build trust, and strengthen regional security cooperation to safeguard the Panama Canal, one of the most strategic maritime routes in the world. PANAMAX-Alpha serves as a cornerstone of U.S. Southern Command’s integrated deterrence strategy. The exercise also aligns with broader U.S. national defense objectives—building trust, enhancing readiness, and preserving freedom of navigation in the hemisphere. (Photo by U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Amy Forsythe, Naval Special Warfare Public Affairs)
Aug. 8, 2025 - As the lead coordinating command, SOUTHCOM directed joint efforts through Joint Task Force-Bravo (JTF-Bravo), Army South, and a range of U.S. and Panamanian forces. PANAMAX-Alpha 2025 advanced SOUTHCOM’s strategic goals of building partner nation capacity and promoting regional stability through a realistic and scalable training framework.
U.S., Paraguay launch joint medical mission during AMISTAD 25
Aug. 7, 2025 - The United States and Paraguay launched a bilateral medical mission Aug. 4 as part of AMISTAD 25, an Air Forces Southern-led exercise focused on strengthening partnerships, enhancing readiness and improving access to health care.
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PHOTOS

Military personnel in uniform sit around a long table during a meeting.
Two men in black military uniforms walk in a hallway.
A Panamanian Security Force personnel hoists a military working dog onto a vessel
A U.S. Air Force C-130J Hercules is being unloaded at an airstrip in Panama.
Marine Leaders of the Americas Conference 2025: Sunset Parade
SMMC Ruiz delivers keynote at MLAC 2025
SMMC Ruiz delivers keynote at MLAC 2025
SMMC Ruiz delivers keynote at MLAC 2025
The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrives in Port of Spain, Trinidad during Continuing Promise 2025, August 5, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations.
The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrives in Port of Spain, Trinidad during Continuing Promise 2025, August 5, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations.
The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrives in Port of Spain, Trinidad during Continuing Promise 2025, August 5, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations.
U.S. and Panamanian service members aboard a ship in the Panama Canal
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Richard Medina, assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), discharges a Costa Rican patient from aboard Comfort in Limón, Costa Rica during Continuing Promise 2025, July 28, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007 which aims to foster goodwill strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations and form new partnerships between host nations non-federal entities and international organizations.
Hospitalman Selene Cruz, assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), checks the vitals of a Costa Rican patient aboard Comfort in Limón, Costa Rica during Continuing Promise 2025, July 28, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007 which aims to foster goodwill strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations and form new partnerships between host nations non-federal entities and international organizations.
Cmdr. Liza Stone, assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), helps a patient depart Comfort in Limón, Costa Rica during Continuing Promise 2025, July 28, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007 which aims to foster goodwill strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations and form new partnerships between host nations non-federal entities and international organizations.
Sailors assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) assist a patient departing Comfort in Limón, Costa Rica during Continuing Promise 2025, July 28, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007 which aims to foster goodwill strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations and form new partnerships between host nations non-federal entities and international organizations.
South Dakota National Guard Soldiers with members of the Surinamese Armed Forces during a first-of-its-kind jungle warfare exchange that concluded July 18, 2025.
Soldiers from the D.C. National Guard hone marksmanship skills at Twickenham Park Range in St. Catherine, Jamaica, on July 17, 2025.
A Coast Guard small boat crew boarding a vessel suspected of drug smuggling operations approximately 120 miles northwest of Ecuador. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma’s crew offloaded approximately 9,970 pounds of cocaine worth $73.7 million, Tuesday, at Port Everglades. (Courtesy asset)
A Coast Guard small boat crew boarding a vessel suspected of drug smuggling operations approximately 120 miles northwest of Ecuador. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma’s crew offloaded approximately 9,970 pounds of cocaine worth $73.7 million, Tuesday, at Port Everglades. (Courtesy asset)
A Coast Guard small boat crew boarding a vessel suspected of drug smuggling operations approximately 120 miles northwest of Ecuador. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma’s crew offloaded approximately 9,970 pounds of cocaine worth $73.7 million, Tuesday, at Port Everglades. (Courtesy asset)
The Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma moors at Port Everglades at Port Everglades, on July 29, 2025. The seized contraband was the result of an interdiction on June 24, 2025, approximately 120 miles northwest of Ecuador by the crew of the Tahoma. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma wrapping bales of cocaine on the pier at Port Everglades, Florida, July 29, 2025. Interdicted contraband is transferred to partner agencies for destruction. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma passing bales of cocaine off-board during an offload at Port Everglades, Florida, July 29, 2025. The seized contraband was the result of an interdiction on June 24, 2025, approximately 120 miles northwest of Ecuador by the crew of the Tahoma. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team - Pacific members watching over interdicted contraband at Port Everglades, Florida, July 29, 2025. Tactical law enforcement teams deploy aboard Coast Guard Cutters on drug interdiction missions to provide operational support. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma standing at parade rest on the flight deck at Port Everglades, Florida, July 29, 2025. The seized contraband was the result of an interdiction on June 24, 2025, approximately 120 miles northwest of Ecuador. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
Image of Senior Airman Adrese Atkins, 931st Aerospace Medical Squadron medical administration technician, serves as a simulated patient for local nurses to test an electrocardiogram machine during AMISTAD 2025 at Academic Hospital Paramaribo, Suriname, July 17, 2025. Atkins helped the nurses relocate the EKG machine to a new treatment room before connecting it to power and calibrating it for patient use. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Elora J. McCutcheon)
Image of Senior Airman Adrese Atkins, 931st Aerospace Medical Squadron medical administration technician, watches as local medical staff replace a hospital bed at Academic Hospital Paramaribo, Suriname, July 17, 2025. Atkins described AMISTAD 2025 as a valuable learning opportunity since he was challenged with fixing equipment while patients were actively being treated in the same room, or patching rusted gear with paint instead of being able to replace it outright. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Elora J. McCutcheon)
Image of Senior Airman Adrese Atkins, 931st Aerospace Medical Squadron medical administration technician, left, meets Kiran Oedai, biomedical technician, at Academic Hospital Paramaribo, Suriname, July 17, 2025. Atkins, who previously served as an active duty aircraft metals technology specialist, said his maintenance background contributes to his creative problem solving when repairing inoperable equipment and devices in an austere environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Elora J. McCutcheon)
LIMÓN, Costa Rica (July 24, 2025) The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrives in Limón, Costa Rica during Continuing Promise 2025, July 24, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Deven Fernandez)
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (July 20, 2025) Capt. Grace Key, commanding officer, USNS Comfort Medical Treatment Facility, says goodbye to the Dominican Republic medical team as they depart the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) off the coast of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic during Continuing Promise 2025, July 20, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rylin Paul)
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (July 17, 2025) Cmdr. Anna Schlenker, director of medical operations and planning assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), assists a Dominican patient aboard Comfort in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic during Continuing Promise 2025, July 17, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alfredo Marron)
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (July 17, 2025) Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Abby Marvin, assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), takes a Dominican patient’s temperature at a medical site in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic during Continuing Promise 2025, July 17, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. William Hunter)
Two sailors, one holding a light device in each hand, watch as a helicopter descends, with an orange and blue sky in the background.
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (July 15, 2025) Sailors assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) load medical site cargo aboard Comfort in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic during Continuing Promise 2025, July 15, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led Mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alfredo Marron)
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (July 15, 2025) Sailors and Military Sealift Command personnel assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) load medical site cargo aboard Comfort in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic during Continuing Promise 2025, July 15, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led Mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alfredo Marron)
An overhead shot of a group of uniformed officials sitting around a table.
JEREMIE, Haiti (Dec. 17, 2022) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Aircraft Handling) 2nd Class Kelsey Turner, assigned to the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), directs the pilot of an MH60-S Seahawk, attached to the “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, to deliver supplies to the medical site in Jeremie, Haiti, Dec. 17, 2022. Comfort is deployed to U.S. 4th Fleet in support of Continuing Promise 2022, a humanitarian assistance and goodwill mission conducting direct medical care, expeditionary veterinary care, and subject matter expert exchanges with five partner nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America. (U.S Army photo by Sgt. Ruben Rodriguez Santiago)
Personnel from USCGC Resolute (WMEC 620) offload pallets of illicit narcotics during a drug offload at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, July 17, 2025. During the patrol, Resolute was joined by the cutters Escanaba, Tahoma, and Hamilton, providing broad, coordinated coverage across the major drug-smuggling vectors running from Ecuador towards the United States. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Perkofski)
The crew of USCGC Resolute (WMEC 620) pose for a group photo during a drug offload at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, July 17, 2025. Resolute deployed in support of Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-South), an interagency and international task force that conducts counter-illicit trafficking and security cooperation operations in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Perkofski)
U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Logan Sullivan, an engineering officer assigned to USCGC Resolute (WMEC 620), wraps bails of illicit narcotics during a drug offload at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, July 17, 2025. Resolute’s crew offloaded nearly 12,600 pounds of cocaine, worth an estimated $93.2 million following a 59-day patrol in the Eastern Pacific. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Perkofski)
U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Tyler Mace, a gunner’s mate assigned to USCGC Resolute (WMEC 620), stands overwatch of illicit narcotics during a drug offload at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, July 17, 2025. Resolute spent several weeks as the only U.S. Coast Guard cutter in the Eastern Pacific, playing a critical role in maintaining maritime domain awareness and operational coverage across a vast area, spanning over one million square miles. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Perkofski)
A U.S. service member talks while sitting at a table with U.S. and Panamanian service members.
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (July 15, 2025) Sailors assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) load medical site cargo aboard Comfort in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic during Continuing Promise 2025, July 15, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led Mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alfredo Marron)
On the left a patient in a hospital gown covered in a blanket has a wrap on his head and a blood pressure machine attached to his left arm which is giving a thumbs up. On the right a woman in a blue shirt, black jacket, and jeans sits next to the patient
A U-28A Draco from the 27th Special Operations Wing provides surveillance over a visit, board, search, and seizure training exercise involving Air Commandos, Chilean Special Forces, Navy Seals, and the Chilean Navy in Valparaiso, Chile, June 6, 2025, as part of exercise SOUTHERN STAR 25.
An Air Commando assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing performs a pre-flight check on a U-28A Draco in Santiago, Chile, June 4, 2025, as part of exercise SOUTHERN STAR 25
U.S. and Chilean Air Commandos work together to process intelligence video from multiple platforms, including the U-28A Draco, in Rancagua, Chile, June 2, 2025, as part of exercise SOUTHERN STAR 25.
An Air Commando assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing pulls a hose connected to an MC-130 Commando II for a forward arming and refueling point demonstration for Chilean Airmen at Antofagasta, Chile, May 29, 2025 as part of Southern Star 2025
Airman fixes aircraft

OUR PRIORITIES

SOUTHCOM COMMANDER

Adm. Alvin Holsey bio photo

Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey is the commander of U.S. Southern Command. He assumed command Nov. 7, 2024.

Adm. Holsey's Bio