Southern Vanguard 2024 Overview

Exercise Southern Vanguard 24 (ExSV24) was a U.S. Army South planned and directed, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)-sponsored exercise at the operational and tactical levels designed to increase interoperability between U.S and Brazilian forces. The Southern Vanguard annual exercises are a major component of SOUTHCOM and Army South’s regional engagement efforts, providing the opportunity to train service members while building capabilities with our partners.

This experience helps ensure the U.S. Army is able to respond rapidly in support of regional partners and provides an excellent venue for training and preparing personnel for a variety of situations. Soldiers from both armies conducted an air assault and infiltration operation, followed by tactical operations against irregular forces and urban training.

Building on the momentum of trust, cooperation, and shared interoperability, Southern Vanguard 24 was an opportunity to strengthen partnerships in Brazil and promote peace for a stable region. The relationships built and sustained through these exercises demonstrate the commitment of the United States to our partners in South America. 

Forces Involved

U.S. participants included more than 300 U.S. Army South, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 7th Special Forces Group, 1st Security Forces Assistance Brigade, and the New York Army National Guard Soldiers. The participating U.S. Army Soldiers trained alongside more than 1,000 Brazilian army personnel assigned to 52nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Brigade.

Background

Southern Vanguard is an annual exercise at the operational and tactical levels to increase interoperability between U.S and Western Hemisphere forces. Last year, the exercise was conducted with Colombia.