News

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.

July 14, 2025

SOUTHERN STAR ’25: 27th Special Operations Wing projects power with partners in Chile

SANTIAGO, Chile — SANTIAGO, Chile — From the sunbaked airstrips of Antofagasta to the bustling port of Valparaíso and the icy channels of Punta Arenas, elite troops from six nations dove into SOUTHERN STAR ’25, Latin America’s premier multinational special operations exercise. Designed around a simulated United Nations stabilization mandate, the event brings together special forces from Chile, the United States, Spain, Argentina, Colombia, and Paraguay, with ten additional nations participating as observers.

250709-N-BP862-1140 MANTA, Ecuador (July 9, 2025) Hospitalman Christopher Olheiser and Logistics Specialist 3rd class Daniel Clerge, both assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), load medical supplies onto Comfort in Manta, Ecuador during Continuing Promise 2025, July 9, 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 Thomas Boatright)

July 14, 2025

USNS Comfort Departs Ecuador After Third CP25 Mission Stop

MANTA, Ecuador — The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departed Manta, Ecuador following the third mission stop of Continuing Promise 2025 (CP25), July 10, 2025.

The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrives in Manta, Ecuador during Continuing Promise 2025, July 4, 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 Spc. Ethan McCubbins)

July 7, 2025

USNS Comfort Arrives in Manta, Ecuador

MANTA, Ecuador — MANTA, Ecuador -- The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in Manta, Ecuador for the third mission stop of Continuing Promise 2025 (CP 25), July 4, 2025.

Two men wearing business attire stand atop stairs, as people wearing formal military uniforms stand in formation.

July 2, 2025

Argentina Increases Military Ties to the United States

Argentina and the United States will continue to build on their more than 200-year relationship, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said.

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

July 1, 2025

Panamanian and U.S. medical experts change lives aboard the USNS Comfort

COLÓN, Panama — For three years, Jesús, a local bus driver from Colón, wore a cap to hide the large, painful scars on his ears. The disfigurement was a lingering reminder of a devastating vehicle accident that changed his life. This week aboard the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), he received reconstructive surgery that marked a new beginning, thanks to a combined team of U.S. and Panamanian medical professionals.

A team of El Salvador Primera Brigada Aérea members accomplish a tactical combat casualty care training exercise overseen by U.S. Air Force Airmen as part of the AMISTAD campaign June 20, 2025 in Ilopango, El Salvador. The campaign promoted cooperation between the U.S. and host nation healthcare professionals in a resource constrained environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin Norton)

June 26, 2025

US Air Force, Salvadoran forces train in simulated combat environment during AMISTAD campaign

ILOPANGO, El Salvador — More than 50 international forces trained to provide care under fire during a Tactical Combat Casualty Care exercise in Ilopango, El Salvador, June 17-20.

June 25, 2025

USNS Comfort Arrives in Colón, Panama

The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in Colón, Panama as part of Continuing Promise 2025 (CP25), June 25, 2025.

250616-A-LS473-1067 ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada (June 16, 2025) The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departs from St. George’s, Grenada, during Continuing Promise 2025, June 16, 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)

June 25, 2025

USNS Comfort Departs Grenada During Continuing Promise 2025

SAINT GEORGE'S, Grenada — The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departed St. George’s, Grenada, June 16, 2025, concluding a seven-day mission as part of Continuing Promise 2025 (CP25).

Panamanian service members and U.S. Marines walk in a single filed line carrying guns

June 18, 2025

U.S. Marines and Servicio Nacional Aeronaval train together

PANAMA CITY, PANAMA — U.S. Marines with the 2d Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and members of the Servicio Nacional Aeronaval (SENAN), or Aeronaval, in Panamá City, Panamá, are working shoulder to shoulder sharing knowledge and skill sets to enhance the vital partnership between the Department of Defense and the Panamanian security partners.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Luke Johnson (left) and Senior Airman Erin Bell (right), AMISTAD Optometry Technicians pose outside the optometry clinic door and under the AMISTAD 2025 banner, in Iquitos, Peru, June 2, 2025. AMISTAD enables U.S. and partner nation medics to train and operate in resource constrained environments, building readiness for real-world contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victoria Edwards)

June 17, 2025

AFSOUTH Launches AMISTAD 2025 Across Latin America

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — U.S. Air Forces Southern (AFSOUTH) launched AMISTAD 2025 in Peru on June 2, marking the start of a global health engagement designed to strengthen partnerships and enhance deployment readiness across five Latin American nations.