Category: Southern Command

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

LATHAM, N.Y. – Forty-eight New York Army National Guard Soldiers are heading to Brazil Oct. 28-29 to exercise with Brazil’s 52nd Jungle Infantry Battalion and Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

Exercise Southern Vanguard 24’s main action will occur near Macapa in the Amazon Delta, according to 1st Lt. Elliot Zalewski, a project planning officer for the New York National Guard.

Zalewski said the Brazilian battalion, and an infantry company, and other Soldiers from the 101st will conduct tactical exercises in the Amazon rainforest.

The exercise will enable the New York National Guard to continue to develop its relationship with Brazil under the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, according to Army Brig. Gen. Isabel Smith, the New York National Guard’s director of joint staff.

“The exercise will continue to expand and increase interoperability between the New York National Guard and Brazil,” Smith said. “We look forward to continuing knowledge sharing and relationship building with our Brazilian partners.”

The New York National Guard and Brazil’s military initialed a State Partnership Program agreement in 2019.

Southern Vanguard exercises are organized by U.S. Army South and pair U.S. Army elements with those of South American militaries.

Exercise Southern Vanguard 23, for example, took place in Colombia with members of the Georgia and Illinois Army National Guard.

The New York National Guard Soldiers will come from:
• The 53rd Digital Liaison Detachment, based at the Park Avenue Armory in Manhattan.
• The 1st Battalion, 258th Field Artillery, with current headquarters at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill.
• The 133rd Composite Supply Company, based at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn.
• The 466th Medical Company (Area Support) from Queensbury.
• The 138th Public Affairs Detachment from Camp Smith Training Site.

The New York Air National Guard’s 105th Airlift Wing will fly the Soldiers to and from Brazil on a C-17 Globemaster III transport.

The 466th Medical Company will provide medical services during the exercise and the 138th Public Affairs Detachment will conduct public affairs operations.

The 53rd Digital Liaison Detachment, whose Soldiers are trained to interact with other nation’s military forces, will work with the Brazilian battalion’s operations section.

The field artillery Soldiers and the Brazilians will work on coordinating fire support missions.

Thirty-eight New York Army National Guard Soldiers will attend a three-day jungle survival course alongside members of the 101st Airborne Division outside Belem.

Zalewski said Soldiers from the 53rd Digital Liaison Detachment would not participate in the course because of their duties as headquarters staff.

Since entering into the State Partnership with Brazil, the New York Air National Guard has sent aircraft and personnel to participate in Brazilian exercises, and Air Guard personnel specializing in space operations have worked with their Brazilian counterparts.

New York Soldiers and Airmen have attended the Brazil Jungle Warfare School, and New York Army Guard Soldiers took part in Brazil’s Operation Parana, an international military domestic response exercise in May.

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

See originally posted USCG release

MIAMI — The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James offloaded more than 33,200 pounds of cocaine and 12,400 pounds of marijuana worth approximately $448 million in Port Everglades, Thursday.

The offloaded drugs were interdicted during 13 separate cases in the international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea due to the combined efforts of:

• U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James (WMSL 754)
• U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Thetis (WMEC 910)
• U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant (WMEC 617)
• U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Valiant (WMEC 621)
• U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team – South
• U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team
• USS Farragut (DDG 99)
• Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations (AMO) aircrews
• Joint Interagency Task Force South

“This offload is about national security,” said Vice Adm. Kevin Lunday, commander U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area. “It represents one part of a very large and strong interagency team that works closely with our allies and international partners to interdict maritime smuggling of dangerous and illegal drugs into the United States.”

Numerous U.S. agencies from the Departments of Defense, Justice and Homeland Security cooperated in the effort to combat transnational organized crime. The Coast Guard, Navy, Customs and Border Protection, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with allied militaries and international partner agencies, play a role in counter-drug operations. 

“Our success hinges on our people. For the past 113 days, the women and men of James worked around the clock in support of the counter-narcotics mission,” said Capt. Donald Terkanian, commanding officer of James. “That being said, we cannot do this mission alone. We appreciate the immense support and dedication from our interagency and international partners that join us here today.”

The fight against drug cartels in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea requires a unity of effort in all phases, from detection and monitoring to interdiction and apprehension, through criminal prosecutions by international partners and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in districts across the nation. The Joint Interagency Task Force South in Key West, Florida conducts the detection and monitoring of aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs. The law enforcement phase of counter-smuggling operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean is conducted under the authority of the Coast Guard 11th District, headquartered in Alameda, California, and the law enforcement phase of operations in the Caribbean is conducted under the authority of the Coast Guard 7th District, headquartered in Miami. The interdictions, including the actual boardings, are led and conducted by members of the U.S. Coast Guard. 

These interdictions relate to Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) designated investigations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

James falls under the command of U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area. Based in Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area oversees all Coast Guard operations east of the Rocky Mountains to the Arabian Gulf. In addition to surge operations, Atlantic Area also allocates ships to deploy to the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific to combat transnational organized crime and illicit maritime activity.

For information on how to join the U.S. Coast Guard, visit GoCoastGuard.com to learn about active duty and reserve, officer and enlisted opportunities. Information on how to apply to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy can be found here.  

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Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

As the final salute echoed through the air, the closing ceremony of Southern Vanguard 24 signified a note of triumph and unity. After almost three weeks of training, the U.S. and Brazil armies stood together one final time in Oiapoque, Brazil, Nov. 16.

The ceremony not only celebrated the successful completion of the exercise but also highlighted the bonds forged between allied forces.

“While today marks the official end of this exercise, we will continue to look towards future training opportunities and engagements,” Maj. Gen. William Thigpen, U.S. Army South commanding general, declared while reinforcing the continuation of partnership between the two countries.

Flags from Brazil and the United States billowed in the wind alongside the CORE 23 flag, a visual representation of the collaborative spirit that permeated every facet of Southern Vanguard 24.

“Southern Vanguard continues to be a remarkable example of enduring partnerships that are built on trust and shared commitment to provide a safe and secure Western Hemisphere,” Thigpen affirmed.

During the closing ceremony, Maj. Gen. William Thigpen gave recognition to the exceptional performance, adaptability, and teamwork the units and individuals demonstrated throughout the exercise.

“You have trained hard, deployed across the theater, and overcome numerous challenges,” he reassured both armies. “You are all a shining example of what is possible when partners dedicate their time, talents, and expertise to accomplish one common objective.”

The applause and cheers from the crowd resonated with pride, underscoring the shared commitment to excellence that unites the multinational participants.

Brazilian Army Gen. Luciano Guilherme, the Military Command Northern (CMN) commander, took the stage to share his thoughts on the significance of Southern Vanguard 24. He emphasized the importance of such joint exercises in enhancing interoperability among allied forces, ultimately contributing to security and stability in the region.

“It was a successful military exercise with gains in knowledge and consistent operational results” Guilherme declared. “Everything was executed with accuracy and security, proving the professional value of each soldier.”

Guilherme also acknowledged the challenges faced and overcome during the exercise, highlighting the valuable lessons learned and the opportunities for continuous improvement in future joint operations.

“I am sure that all of you experienced firsthand the challenges of this unique operational environment, with characteristics that pose challenges for any warrior,” he said. “I can see that the participants enjoyed every moment, overcoming the simulated military challenges and problems presented to them. Congratulations!”

Southern Vanguard 24 not only strengthened military capabilities but also fostered international camaraderie, leaving an indelible mark on the participants and reinforced the notion that together, nations stand stronger in the pursuit of peace and security.

“As the commander of U.S. Army South over the past two years, I have witnessed the strengthening of our bonds as we work together countering threats and improving interoperability when we come together for combined exercises,” Thigpen said. “Southern Vanguard 24 affirms that working together is our greatest advantage when it comes to long-term competition with adversaries that seek to undermine our shared values and security.”

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

MACAPA, Brazil  –  

A clear and concise exchange of information has always been vital to any successful military operation. Staying connected in the field can sometimes be the difference between life and death. Military forces often use advanced and proprietary technologies to facilitate this communication. However, ensuring compatibility between systems from different countries can be challenging during joint operations or multinational missions.

In support of the Army’s priority of engineering support to readiness, the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command developed the radio interoperability capability – universal, or RIC-U, voice bridge. The RIC-U allows direct communications between the U.S. Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System and partner nations’ ground tactical radios.

About half the size of the shoe box and weighing approximately three pounds, the RIC-U comes with the heavy task of allowing secure, real-time radio communication between the U.S. Army and its coalition partners during multi-national operations. All while protecting access to the Army’s tactical network.

“The intent of using the RIC-U at Southern Vanguard 24 is to make a digital interoperability between the Brazilian radio encrypted network and the U.S. encrypted network,” said Maj. Aaron Spence, the U.S. Army South international technology integrator. “When you put this in use, whenever the U.S. speaks through their tactical radio, it’ll go through, and the Brazilians will be able to hear it.”

Spence added that the RIC-U works both ways. As long as both armies are connected to the device, they can hear each other. It is voice-only, so no data is transferred.

By incorporating the RIC-U into voice networks, both partners can use their native radio communications equipment, unique encryption and frequency-hopping techniques to speak with U.S. military personnel.

“We have the opportunity to see how the RIC-U equipment works with our radios,” said Brazilian Army Maj. Ramon Oliveira, an instructor at the Brazilian Army Centro de Instrução de Guerra na Selva (Jungle Warfare Training Center). “It is very important to our operation because it is the fastest communication situation for command and control.”

With the device incorporated into their voice communications network, soldiers will simply select the radio they are using and the radio they are trying to communicate with through the device’s computerized user interface.

“We can teach most soldiers how to use it in under five minutes,” said Rex Johnson, an electrical at DEVCOM’s Control, Communications, Computer, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center, as he walked through the process. “Once it’s connected it autoconfigures everything for you. Once it’s configured, the soldier doesn’t have to do anything. Within 30 seconds, everyone can be talking.”

Johnson is a subject matter expert for the RIC-U. He is a developer of all the hardware and software that goes into the device.

“Our group within the C5ISR Center came up with the original concept, designed all the hardware to support this device and we coded all the software,” Johnson stated. “We subsequently patented all of this, including the language translation technology we are currently getting licensed out for manufacturing.”

A limitation to the RIC-U is the language barrier. To eliminate that limitation, the team is currently working on translation software. This particular software is being developed by the Army Research Lab and has been used by Special Forces and a few other military groups.

“They’ve essentially taken Google Translate and they said, ‘we need the similar capability, but without it hitting the internet for security reasons,’” explained Spence.

It is in beta form and is currently being used at Southern Vanguard 24 to determine whether they can possibly overlay it onto the RIC-U. The team has a proof of concept they plan to utilize for a brief period during the exercise to show how the technology can go from one language to another. The hope is to demonstrate the capability of the technology.

“If we can do this, it’ll give you two things,” Spence said with optimism. “It’ll give you tactical capability, specifically for non-NATO partners. It’ll also give you that language translation capability. We see both capabilities as a great advantage of the U.S. Army and our partner nations.”

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

MACAPA, Brazil  –  

Soldiers that graduate from Army basic combat training typically don’t want to see their drill sergeants after going through a rigorous 10-week training, but that wasn’t the case for Spc. Joshua Taeckens, who bumped into his old drill sergeant Sgt. 1st Class Ronnie Lewellen in the middle of the Amazonia River in Brazil.

Taeckens, a mass communication specialist from Joint Base San Antonio Fort Sam Houston, Texas, assigned to the U.S. Army South Public Affairs team covering the Southern Vanguard 24 exercise in Brazil, was tasked to cover the water techniques training in the Amazonia River as part of the jungle familiarization course ahead of the exercise. He got in the water with the Soldiers and started to film on his GoPro when Lewellen entered his frame.

“We locked eyes and instantly recognized each other but didn’t know where from,” Taeckens said. “Once we figured out where we knew each other from, I instantly got a flashback from when he corrected me in basic training, so it brought back great memories.”

Lewellen, who is assigned to the 1st Security Forces Assistance Brigade tried to stay focused on the training but couldn’t believe the encounter.

“I won’t lie it was very random to see one of my initial-entry Soldiers here in the jungle,” Lewellen said. “But after the training, we got to talk, and he filled me in on what he’s done since basic training. It was a rewarding feeling knowing he’s living up to those standards we gave him a few years back.”

Taeckens and Lewellen will continue to support and train during the exercise until Nov. 16th and then go back to their respective units.

“I really admire Sgt. 1st Class Lewellen and it really put everything he taught us into perspective as I’m applying it here in Brazil,” Taeckens said. “It’s a great story, and I’ll remember this for the rest of my life.”

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

Caribbean Sea  –  

USS Farragut (DDG 99) has found success in stopping alleged illicit drug traffickers in the Caribbean, with four drug busts in October.

Farragut, with an embarked U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 50, Detachment Two, made all four drug busts in the Central Caribbean, taking down go fast vessels through a combination of coordinated air and surface operations.

The busts resulted in the confiscation of 1,384 kilograms of cocaine and the detention of 12 suspected illicit drug runners.

“USS Farragut Sailors have brought their hammer to the detection, monitoring, interdiction and apprehension fight against transnational criminal organizations,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. P. Goguen, Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-South) Director of Operations. “Their results so far demonstrate a highly professional level of planning and preparation that has resulted in the execution of several flawless interdiction events; there are few other Services worldwide that are as effective. We look forward to continued results during the rest of Farragut’s deployment.”

“Every Sailor has a role in this team effort” said Farragut Commanding Officer Cmdr. Tom Roberts. “We gain a good measure of satisfaction in interdicting these drugs and keeping them out of the United States. The positive results are tangible and immediate. Our team can see the difference their efforts hold.”

USS Farragut is currently assigned to Commander, Task Force 45 (CTF 45). CTF-45 is the 4th Fleet surface task force charged with executing combined naval operations, building and strengthening Latin American, south of Mexico, and Caribbean maritime partnerships, and acting as a DoD ready service provider to Joint Interagency Task Force – South in support of counter illicit-drug trafficking operations in the Central and South American waters.

LEDETS are deployable specialized forces of the U.S. Coast Guard that enforce U.S. laws and treaties in the maritime domain.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command’s joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region.

Learn more about USNAVSOUTH/4th Fleet at https://www.fourthfleet.navy.mil, https://www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT and @NAVSOUS4THFLT.
 

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

MACAPA, Brazil  –  

Standing under the beaming Brazilian sun, Soldiers assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) stood at close interval in formation as Brazilian Army Gen. Luciano Ghuilherme, the Military Command Northern commander, officially declared the start of Southern Vanguard 24, the morning of Nov. 6, 2023.

“It is with great joy that I witness this important day and welcome all these important this vibrant and well-prepared troop assembled before us,” hailed Ghuilherme.

The soldiers standing in formation represented a fraction of the 1,300 participating in the exercise from both armies.

The training audience for this year’s iteration of Southern Vanguard includes 300 Soldiers assigned from U.S. Army South, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 7th Special Forces Group, 1st Security Forces Assistance Brigade and New York Army National Guard Soldiers.

For the next two weeks, U.S. Army Soldiers will train alongside Brazilian Army partners, conducting air assault operations, urban operations and weapons familiarization.

Southern Vanguard is a SOUTHCOM-sponsored, annual exercise at the operational and tactical levels to increase interoperability between U.S and Western Hemisphere forces, in this instance, Brazil.

“Exercising together allows our armies to increase interoperability and demonstrates a shared commitment to rehearsing our rapid deployment capabilities and refining procedures while providing an excellent venue to improve readiness and prepare to respond to a crisis or contingency,” said Brig. Gen. Isabel Smith, director of joint staff for the New York National Guard.

This is the second time since its inception in 2021 that the partner nations have come together here in Brazil for Southern Vanguard, which is occurring in conjunction with Brazil’s annual combined operations rotational exercise 23.

CORE is the result of a cooperation program signed between Brazil and the United States. The first edition took place in Southeast Brazil in 2021, and the second took place at Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson, La., in 2022.

“In the following days, we will be experiencing the third edition in the Northern region of Brazil,” Ghuilherme said. “We will be in the heart of Eastern Amazon!”

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. – U.S. Navy Attachés and U.S. Navy Section Chiefs serving in partner nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America gathered at Naval Station Mayport Dec. 5-8, 2023, for the annual U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet Maritime Synchronization Symposium.

This year’s symposium featured four guest speakers, expert panels, and question-and-answer sessions for the region’s Foreign Area Officers (FAOs) to discuss mutual challenges and opportunities, get the latest information on strategy, operations and exercises, and learn more about the Navy’s strategic competition with the People’s Republic of China and U.S. 4th Fleet’s campaign to inform the hybrid fleet.

The first guest speaker was Ambassador James Story, who most recently served as U.S. Ambassador for the Venezuela Affairs Unit, located at the United States Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia, and is currently a State Department Fellow at Georgetown University. Other guest speakers included Dr. Miles Yu, Professor of East Asia and Military History at the U.S. Naval Academy, Lt. Gen. David Bellon, Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve and U.S. Marine Corps Forces South, and Mr. Chris Diaz, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro’s Chief of Staff.

“We brought in dynamic speakers who gave our Navy Foreign Area Officers (FAOs) much to think about as they return to their respective countries,” said Cmdr. Stephanie Lastinger, U.S. 4th Fleet Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) Director. “They serve on the front lines of strategic competition, and are successfully advancing American interests abroad.”

Participants were able to learn more about and provide input to staffers planning the upcoming Southern Seas and Continuing Promise deployments, which will feature USS George Washington (CVN 73) and USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) deploying to the region next year. They also heard from Cmdr. David Edwards, U.S. 4th Fleet’s Technology and Innovation Director, who briefed Operation Windward Stack, the Fleet’s current operation in the Caribbean.

We are operationalizing technology in a campaign of learning where sometimes we win and sometimes we learn,” said Cmdr. Edwards. “We are sharing our results with the other fleets already and look forward to integrating hybrid fleet information with our partners.”

“This year’s symposium provided all of our FAOs, service providers, and stakeholders an opportunity to spend time together and develop relationships which will help them get better as members of their respective U.S. country teams,” said Rear Adm. Rich Lofgren, USNAVSOUTH/FOURTHFLT Reserve Vice Commander. “We know the critical work our FAOs perform in making the U.S. the maritime partner of choice in the Caribbean, Central and South America.”

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command’s joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region.

Learn more about USNAVSOUTH/4th Fleet at https://www.fourthfleet.navy.mil, https://www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT and @NAVSOUS4THFLT.

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas  –  

Planners from across the region concluded the TRADEWINDS 2024 Scenario Development Conference held at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, from Dec. 5-7.

The three-day planning conference included military planners from the United States, Barbados, and Canada, and interagency partners from the Caribbean Community, Implementation Agency for Crime and Security, and Regional Security System Department of Defense.

More than 50 personnel began laying the foundation for the Barbados-hosted TRADEWINDS 2024, which will take place in the spring.

The regionally oriented exercise will focus on countering threats by way of a field training exercise, command post exercise, and tabletop exercise and involves security forces from more than 23 partner nations, primarily from the Caribbean Basin, U.S., Canada, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

The Barbados Defense Force selected “Preparing the Region for 2024 and Beyond” as the theme for this year’s exercise, emphasizing the importance of avoiding a singular focus.

“We are preparing regional and local entities for the upcoming cricket world cup, but also any possibility that may arise beyond that. So, our vision is wide, our scope is also wide,” said Commander Mark Peterson, Barbados Defense Force lead planner and co-host director of TW24.

“On the regional front, it brings together a pool of individuals who understand each other’s tactics, techniques and procedures, so we can train together as a region so that we understand each other if called upon to respond within the various member states,” Peterson said.

He went on to say this exercise ensures troops are prepared at the individual, team, and strategic levels to prepare for any security threat or humanitarian disaster that may arise in the future.

This U.S. Southern Command-sponsored, U.S. Army South-executively planned exercise is a combined-joint exercise that requires years of planning in advance, and the SDC is one component of the planning process.

TW24’s Initial Planning Conference took place in September of 2023 in Barbados. While an IPC is focused on operational and administrative site reconnaissance, the SDC’s objective is to refine the scenarios and road-to-crisis.

SOUTHCOM’s scenario manager, Doug Fitzgerald provided instruction on creating a Master Scenario Event List for the TRADEWINDS CPX, FTX, and TTX, inject and scenario development, and measures of success.

“We must determine during this conference the Opposing Force requirements. How big do we need the OPFOR? At what locations? Also, very important is for all cells and storylines to be synchronized and that they identify their logistical report requirements,” stated Fitzgerald.

He went on to explain the importance of observing the training audience and documenting lessons learned throughout execution.

“We will work with our Regional Observer Assessor Teams, who will be out in the field and assess and monitor the flow of the exercise. They will assess whether we are going to fast or slow to ensure the pace of the exercise is proper,” Fitzgerald explained.

“When measuring success, It’s the process and not the product. Meaning we can come to the end of the exercise and find out the training audience did everything wrong, but as long as we find that out, then we can make suggestions on what we can do better next time.”

In July 2023, more than 1,500 multinational forces conducted TRADEWINDS 23 in Guyana for the third time.

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

MIAMI (Dec. 6, 2023) — U.S. Southern Command hosted the General Commander of the Colombian Military Forces, Gen. Helder Giraldo, at the command’s headquarters in Miami today. 

This was Giraldo’s second official visit to the SOUTHCOM headquarters.  

SOUTHCOM Military Deputy Commander Vice Adm. Alvin Holsey and senior command leaders met with Giraldo to discuss U.S.-Colombia defense cooperation and provide briefings and updates on the command’s efforts to strengthen the bilateral defense partnership. 

Holsey and Giraldo also exchanged an Engagement and Cooperation Framework. The framework aims to achieve greater unity of effort between Colombian and U.S. forces in the areas of national defense and security, and to counter threats facing both countries. 

The longstanding defense partnership between the United States and Colombia dates back decades.  

For decades, U.S. and Colombian troops have worked alongside each other during training exercises, humanitarian and disaster response missions, professional exchanges, and security operations to counter regional and transnational threats. Earlier this year, Colombia hosted the annual South American Defense Conference and the multinational UNITAS maritime security training exercise.