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.

Overhead view of naval warships sailing in formation in the open sea.

April 9, 2026

Nimitz Carrier Strike Group trains with Ecuador Navy

The Ecuadorian and U.S. Navies conducted a bilateral maritime engagement as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Southern Seas 2026 deployment in the Pacific Ocean, April 7-8.

U.S. Space Force Lt. Col. Daniel Morales, Space Forces Southern chief of plans, speaks during a meeting with representatives from the University of Arizona’s Kyl Institute for National Security, in Tucson, Arizona, April 2, 2026. The meeting discussed critical training and technology needs required to counter non-hemispheric actors in the Southern Command area of responsibility, with a desire to share these capabilities with partner nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Abbey Rieves)

April 3, 2026

SPACEFOR-SOUTH collaborates with University of Arizona to bolster hemispheric space capabilities

TUCSON, Ariz. — This engagement is part of ongoing efforts for military space professionals to strengthen relationships with space research programs and deliberately develop Guardians through existing research while expanding partnership opportunities in Latin America.

Three men sitting at a table talk to each other.

April 1, 2026

Gen. Donovan Meets with Panamanian President Mulino, Senior Security Leaders in Panama

SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan has concluded a productive visit to Panama, where he met with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino and senior government leaders to discuss strengthening the U.S.-Panama security partnership and advancing regional stability.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Puneet Pande, 349th Medical Squadron dentist, takes a selfie with a group of U.S. Air Force Airmen participating in the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) mission in Georgetown, Guyana, March 16, 2026. LAMAT missions are part of a broader Health Security Cooperation initiative led by Air Forces Southern that integrates U.S. military medical services with host nation providers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Albert Rullan)

March 27, 2026

U.S., Guyana launch medical mission LAMAT 2026

GEORGETOWN, Guyana — U.S. and Guyanese officials gathered March 16, 2026, in Georgetown to officially launch the Guyana portion of the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) 2026 mission, marking another milestone in the nations’ long-standing health partnership.

The official logo for Southern Seas 2026. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) will deploy to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Southern Seas 2026 deployment. Southern Seas aims to enhance regional maritime partnerships, interoperability, and security throughout the Caribbean, Central, and South America.

March 23, 2026

U.S. 4th Fleet Announces Southern Seas 2026 Deployment

SAN DIEGO — Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) will deploy to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet's Southern Seas 2026 deployment

US, Colombian military leaders kick off 22nd joint-service senior enlisted engagement

March 20, 2026

U.S., Colombian military leaders kick off 22nd joint-service senior enlisted engagement

PENSACOLA, Florida — U.S. and Colombian military leaders gathered at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, March 16, 2026, to open the 22nd iteration of the Programa Integral para Suboficiales de Alta Jerarquía, or PISAJ. Led by U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command and U.S. Army South, the program has been a recurring geo-strategic event since its inception in 2015.

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