Tradewinds 2024 Overview
Tradewinds is an annual U.S. Southern Command-sponsored exercise that provides the opportunity for participating nations to improve interoperability and effectively execute future maritime, land operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster response in today’s dynamic security environment. The exercise dates back to the mid-1980s.
More than 1,600 personnel from the United States and 25 partner nations are participating in this 39th iteration of the longstanding Tradewinds exercise series.
This exercise was conducted in conjunction with partner nations to enhance the collective ability of their defense forces and constabularies to counter transnational organized crime and conduct humanitarian/disaster relief operations, while developing strong relationships and reinforcing human rights awareness.
The exercise is nested under the Joint Staff’s Large Scale Global Exercise 2024 (LSGE 24), which enables the U.S. Joint Force to train with its Allies and partners to improve understanding, trust and interoperability on security challenges across the globe. Continued exchanges of knowledge and expertise are key to maintaining regional security and prosperity throughout the Caribbean and Caribbean Basin.
Nations Participating
Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas (host), Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominica, Dominican Republic, France, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, The Netherlands, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States.
U.S. Forces Involved
The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S Navy, and elements of United States Special Operations Command South will be participating.
Regional Organizations Participating
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) representatives from CARICOM Secretariat, Regional Security System (RSS), Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOS), and Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).
Background
Tradewinds 2024 was the 39th iteration of the exercise. The exercise has been held annually since 1984 (missing one year in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) and has since become one of the region's key exercises that uniquely tests the multinational interoperability and collective response to counter transnational criminal organizations and natural disasters.