A U.S. Sailor assigned to the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) gives a send-off salute as a U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 365 (Reinforced), Littoral Combat Force-24, takes off during night deck landing qualifications while underway in the Caribbean Sea, May 19, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in support of Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors and protect the homeland through continuous presence. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

May 29, 2026

24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Assumes the Watch as Littoral Combat Force-24, Advancing Operation Southern Spear in USSOUTHCOM AOR

PUERTO RICO — The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit has officially assumed the mission as the premier tactical force-in-readiness within the U.S. Southern Command Area of Responsibility. Operating under the designation of Littoral Combat Force-24, the command offers tactical options via an agile Marine Air-Ground Task Force of over 1,300 Marines and Sailors to the theater. Commanded by U.S. Marine Corps Col. Ryan Lynch, LCF-24 is directly nested under Joint Force Maritime Component Command and Joint Task Force 84-2 to support Operation Southern Spear.

One large military ship steams on blue water alongside two smaller ships and a submarine, with the horizon in the background.

May 15, 2026

Brazilian and U.S. Navies Conduct Bilateral Maritime Engagement in Atlantic Ocean

ATLANTIC OCEAN -- The Brazilian and U.S. navies conducted a bilateral maritime engagement as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (USNAVSOUTH)/U.S. 4th Fleet's Southern Seas 2026 deployment in the Atlantic Ocean, May 12-13.

Suriname Armed Forces Sgt. First Class Alvaro Ronoreso teaches survival techniques to U.S. Soldiers and Airmen, as well as Suriname Armed Forces members, during Operation Rumble in the Jungle at Ayoko, Suriname, April 17, 2026.

May 13, 2026

South Dakota Guard, Suriname Partners Conclude Operation Rumble in the Jungle

South Dakota National Guard Soldiers and their Suriname partners have concluded Operation Rumble in the Jungle, a joint exercise that included testing the forces' ability to operate together in demanding jungle conditions.

Argentine Navy and U.S. Navy Conduct Bilateral Maritime Engagement in Atlantic Ocean

May 5, 2026

Argentine and U.S. Navies Conduct Bilateral Maritime Engagement in Atlantic Ocean

The Argentine and U.S. navies conducted a bilateral maritime engagement as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (USNAVSOUTH)/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Southern Seas 2026 deployment in the Atlantic Ocean, April 28-May 1.

Official logo of U.S. Southern Command.

May 1, 2026

SOUTHCOM, SPACECOM Highlight Vital Role of Space in Western Hemisphere Security

Two top U.S. military generals highlighted the vital role of space capabilities in enabling U.S. and partner nation efforts to address shared threats in the Western Hemisphere during their opening remarks at the Space Conference of the Americas.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Nestor Rivera, aircraft structural maintenance instructor, 156th Tactical Advisory Squadron, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, assesses corrosion damage on the wing of a Cessna 172 at Panama City, Panama, March 16, 2026. (U.S. Air National Guard courtesy photo)

April 29, 2026

Air Advisors Enhance Panama's Aircraft Maintenance Capabilities, Bolster Regional Security

PANAMA CITY, Panama — Air Advisors from the 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron and the 156th Tactical Advisory Squadron conducted a Mobile Training Team mission with the Servicio Nacional Aeronaval of Panama from March 14- 21, 2026.

U.S. Space Forces Southern Guardians pose for a group photo at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, April 23, 2026. These Guardians completed their first Human Performance Assessment at Davis-Monthan, marking an early milestone for the unit following its activation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jaden Kidd)

April 28, 2026

Space Forces - Southern completes first Human Performance Assessment at Davis-Monthan

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — Guardians assigned to Space Forces - Southern completed their first-ever Human Performance Assessment on April 23, 2026, marking a historic milestone as the unit conducted an evaluation for the first time since its activation and a historical first for first at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

Dr. Rakesh Sukul, Ministry of Health director, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Eveline Yao, Air Force Medical Command special assistant to the commander, and Paul Watzlavick, Chargé d'Affaires, U.S. Embassy Paramaribo, exchange tokens of appreciation during the closing ceremony of the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) 2026 mission in Paramaribo, Suriname, April 23, 2026. The ceremony commemorated the partnership between the U.S. and Suriname, highlighting the important role of medical engagements and the value of building critical relationships between medical personnel from both countries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff. Sgt. Madeline Herzog)

April 28, 2026

LAMAT 2026 delivers care, builds readiness in Suriname

PARAMARIBO, Suriname — U.S. Air Force medical personnel and Surinamese health care providers concluded a two-week health security cooperation engagement during a closing ceremony for the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) 2026 at Suriname’s Ministry of Health headquarters, April 23, 2026.

Official logo of U.S. Southern Command.

April 25, 2026

SOUTHCOM's JTF Southern Spear continues to choke off illicit financing with string of successful maritime interdictions

Six months since its inception at the direction of U.S. Southern Command, Joint Task Force Southern Spear has significantly disrupted illicit maritime activity within the Western Hemisphere, dealing a critical blow to narco-terrorist networks and other illicit or sanctioned activities.

U.S. Navy Lt. Dmitriy Chekmenov, Patrol Squadron Thirty’s Maintenance Material Control Officer, left, talks to U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jeff Buddis, Air Boss, during Feria Internacional del Aire y del Espacio (FIDAE) 2026 in Santiago, Chile, April 7, 2026. The P-8 static display provided an opportunity for the U.S. military to engage with the public and share information about U.S. aviation and defense technology. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andrea Jenkins)

April 22, 2026

U.S. Navy P-8 strengthens regional ties at Chile’s international air show

SANTIAGO, Chile — Patrol Squadron (VP- 30) and the unit’s flight crew displayed a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon during Feria Internacional del Aire y del Espacio (FIDAE) 2026 in Santiago, Chile, April 7 - 12, 2026, reinforcing U.S. maritime patrol capability and integration with regional partners.

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