MIAMI – Approximately 300 U.S. Marines and Sailors with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Southern Command, the rapid response force assigned to U.S. Southern Command, arrived in Latin America, June 1.
This is the fourth consecutive year SPMAGTF-SC has deployed to the region. This deployment will also mark a major step in developing a multinational maritime task force that will enhance disaster response in and around Latin America and the Caribbean, as a partner nation officer will be part of the command staff for the first time. Colombian Naval Infantry Lt. Col. Erick H. del Rio is serving as the SPMAGTF-SC deputy commander.
SPMAGTF-SC’s mission is to build partner capacity through training and engineer projects and to maintain a flexible, responsive force that can rapidly conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in the region, in the event of a disaster or emergency.
The Marines and Sailors of SPMAGTF-SC are scheduled to work in Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Colombia to build upon the success of last year’s SPMAGTF-SC deployment.
SPMAGTF-SC is sourced mainly from Marines and Sailors from U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve, from 43 units spread across the country. This deployment will enable our partners to improve regional capacity and facilitate humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in case of a major disaster while simultaneously affording the Marine Corps an opportunity to improve readiness.
For more information on SPMAGTF-SC, please contact the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South Office of Communication Director, Capt. Jose M. Negrete, email: jose.m.negrete2.mil@mail.mil, phone: 305-437-2554, or the Office of Communication Chief, Gunnery Sgt. Zachary Dyer, email, zachary.s.dyer.mil@mail.mil, 305-437-2607.