News

Tag: Caribbean

April 28, 2025

40th iteration of exercise TRADEWINDS 25 unites 26 nations promoting security in the Western Hemisphere

TETERON BAY, Trinidad and Tobago — More than 1,000 service members, law enforcement professionals, government officials and other participants from 26 partner and allied nations gathered at Teteron Barracks, Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago, on April 26 to officially commence TRADEWINDS 25, the U.S. Southern Command-sponsored, U.S. Army South-led multinational, multi-domain exercise.

April 11, 2025

USNS Comfort to visit SOUTHCOM Region; Ship to support Continuing Promise 2025 Mission

PANAMA CITY, Panama — PANAMA CITY, Panama – (Apr. 10, 2025) – Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced April 9 that a U.S. Navy hospital ship, the USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), will deploy in support of Continuing Promise 2025 later this year.

The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) conducts a passing exercise with Guyana Defense Force Defiant-class patrol ship GDSF Shahoud in the Caribbean Sea, March 27, 2025. Normandy is scheduled to protect U.S. interests in the region and strengthen maritime partnerships through bilateral and multinational maritime operations and Theater Security Cooperation port visits. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet is the maritime component of U.S. Southern Command and the trusted maritime partner for Caribbean, Central, and South American maritime forces, leading to improved unity, security, and stability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dylan M. Kinee/Released)

March 28, 2025

USS Normandy and GDFS Shahoud Conduct Maritime Exercise

CARIBBEAN SEA — CARIBBEAN SEA -- U.S. Navy Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) conducted a passing exercise (PASSEX) with the Guyana Defence Force Defiant-class patrol vessel GDFS Shahoud (1039) March 27. The two ships conducted formation-maneuvering events supported by Normandy's embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 50; the aircrew conducted a photo exercise as the final event of the maneuvers.

U.S. Air Force Reserve Citizen Airmen from the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) 2025 mission interact with local school children at Celina Clouden Smart Hospital, Union Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, March 20, 2025.

March 21, 2025

LAMAT 25 Brings Essential Dental Care and Training to Union Island, St. Vincent

UNION ISLAND, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines — Dental professionals from the 433rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron and the 349th Medical Squadron partnered with Air Forces Southern (AFSOUTH) to support the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) 2025 mission in Union Island.

A military helicopter flies at low altitude over the deck of a navy ship as sailors look on.

March 6, 2025

Trilateral Maritime Exercise Supports Allied Interoperability

CARIBBEAN SEA — Showing the benefits of maritime presence in the Caribbean, three warships and one aircraft from three allied nations conducted a passing exercise (PASSEX) on Mar. 3 designed to increase interoperability and enhance capability.

The Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) 2025, led by AFSOUTH Surgeon General, will embed Air Force Reserve Command medical personnel within host nation hospitals and clinics across the Lesser Antilles region and Guyana. These Global Health Engagements enhance military readiness, strengthen partner nation healthcare systems, and foster resilience through expertise sharing and collaboration with local providers.

Feb. 21, 2025

U.S. Military Launches LAMAT ‘25 to Strengthen Readiness, Global Partnerships

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — A Global Health Engagement mission led by U.S. Air Forces Southern, is set to launch its third iteration encompassing four partner nations Feb. 24 – April 11, 2025.

A man in a military uniform speaks from a podium.

Dec. 13, 2024

Caribbean security leaders meet in Trinidad and Tobago to discuss cooperation

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago (Dec. 12, 2024) -- U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) leaders joined regional defense and security leaders this week to discuss security challenges and regional cooperation during the Caribbean Nations Security Conference (CANSEC) 2024 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. U.S. Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, Commander of SOUTHCOM, joined Vice Air Marshall Darryl Daniel, Chief of Staff of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, in co-hosting CANSEC.

Photo of a single engine aircraft the United States donated to the Dominican Republic.

Feb. 20, 2024

US Government Donates Aircraft to Dominican Republic to Combat Narcotics Trafficking

The United States Government, through the Department of Defense, donated an aircraft valued at more than US$8 million to the Ministry of Defense of the Dominican Republic, in support of the shared fight against illicit trafficking of narcotics by transnational criminal organizations and in support of the country's efforts to provide humanitarian assistance in cases of disasters.

Jan. 30, 2024

Multinational planners in Barbados to lay groundwork for Caribbean-focused Tradewinds 2024 military exercise

The main planning conference (MPC) for Tradewinds 24 (TW24) has begun in Bridgetown, Barbados, marking the continuation of detailed preparations for one of the largest multinational military exercises in the Caribbean.

Aug. 4, 2023

U.S. 4th Fleet Announces Continuing Promise 2023 Deployment

CARTAGENA, Colombia — The U.S. Navy expeditionary fast transport USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) will deploy to the U.S. Southern Command area of operations over the next two months as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet's Continuing Promise 2023 mission.