Category: Southern Command

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

IQUIQUE, Chile  –  

The U.S. and Chilean armies, along with civilian planners from U.S. Army South, 11th Airborne Division, 75th Field Artillery Brigade, 1st Security Forces Assistance Brigade and Texas Army National Guard, conducted a mid-planning conference for exercise Southern Fenix 2024, April 1-5, 2024, in Iquique, Chile.

Southern Fenix 2024 is a bi-lateral exercise between the two countries. This will be the first U.S. Army-led exercise where the U.S. Army M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, platform is deployed to the United States Southern Command area of operation, piloting new warfighting concepts in partnership with the Chilean Army.

“Southern Fenix 24 is the first of its kind for the U.S. Army in the Southern Command area of operations,” said Col. Charles Karels, U.S. Army South training and exercise director.

“HIMARS deployments are common in other theaters but training with this strategic asset with our Chilean partners is a major opportunity to increase our interoperability and training and deployment readiness.”

The five-day planning conference, held in Tarapacá, the northern region of Chile, was aimed at gaining a shared understanding of Chilean Army and U.S. Army logistical requirements, exercise scenarios and training objectives for the forthcoming bilateral event that will take place in August of 2024.

The Chilean terrain provides the U.S. Army with an opportunity to conduct theater level sustainment in support of combined operations in a coastal desert area.

The exercise aims to increase Chilean Army and U.S. Army technical and procedural interoperability while strengthening hemispheric cooperation and collaboration in alignment with the U.S. Southern Command campaign plan and U.S. National Defense Strategy.

“The objective of Southern Fenix 2024 is to execute a field training exercise combining units of the Chilean Army and [U.S.] Army South in a fictitious context of [military operations other than war] related to an adversary with unconventional characteristics.” said Commander in Chief of the 6th Division of the Chilean Army, Brig. Gen. Ruben Castillo Herrera.

He added that training of Chilean troops and executing this exercise with the United States Army is motivating and makes him proud.

The coordination of the exercise between Chilean Army and U.S. Army planners was held in the facilities of the Armored Combat Training Center.

Approximately 200 U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to U.S. Army South, 11th Airborne Division, 75th Field Artillery Brigade, 1st Security Forces Assistance Brigade, Texas Army National Guard and New York Army National Guard Soldiers will train alongside over 500 Chilean army personnel assigned to the 6th Division.

The exercise includes the expeditionary deployment of a U.S. Army M142 HIMARS section, a fire direction center and a U.S. Army Airborne company.

Southern Fenix 2024 provides a different theater of operations for the 11th Airborne Division paratroopers to demonstrate their expertise in partnering with foreign counterparts to fight and win in an austere environment. The 11th Airborne Division is an Indo-Pacific-aligned unit with extensive experience working with partner nations across their respective area of responsibility.

“The 11th Airborne Division is the Army’s only Arctic-focused unit and provides the only airborne capability to the Indo-Pacific,” said U.S. Army Maj. Leah Ganoni, 11th Airborne Division public affairs officer.

“That requires the ability to quickly project troops throughout the Arctic, the European and Indo-Pacific theaters, and the world, including the high-altitude environments we’ll see here in the Atacama Desert.”

The ability to quickly partner with an allied force to deliver a strategic asset and conduct HIMARS rapid infiltration, anytime and anywhere demonstrates the capability of airborne forces to provide commanders tailorable and scalable options.

“The strategic and rapid deployment of Airborne forces cannot be dismissed. As a unit aligned against Indo-PACOMs immediate response force, we are counted on to remain ready to deploy on short notice,” Ganoni said.

“Paratroopers share an instant bond, no matter what nation they come from. That bond comes from shared values of discipline, physical fitness and mental toughness and that’s going to be on display in Chile for Southern Fenix 2024, proving the 11th Airborne Division can deploy and partner with allies anywhere in the world.”

The next pivotal milestone in the Southern Fenix 2024 planning process will be the final planning conference in July.

“The Chilean Army is an excellent partner and exercises like Southern Fenix provide opportunities for U.S. Army forces to train with our most capable partners in the region,” Karels said.

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

See originally posted release on U.S. Embassy Guatemala website | En Espanol

U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), will arrive in Guatemala City, Monday, April 15, marking her first official visit to the country. 

Richardson’s four-day agenda in Guatemala includes scheduled bilateral meetings with President Bernardo Arévalo, military leadership including Minister of Defense Brigadier General Henry David Saenz, and other defense leaders. The engagements will be focused on the longstanding bilateral security partnership between the United States and Guatemala and collaborative efforts to address security threats and challenges of mutual concern. 

Security cooperation between the U.S. and Guatemala focuses on shared interests including combating transnational criminal organizations and other malign actors; disaster preparedness; cyber security; promoting respect for human rights; and the expanded integration of women in security, peace, and defense missions. 

During her visit, Richardson will also join Minister Saenz in co-hosting this year’s Central American Security Conference (CENTSEC), where defense and public-security leaders from across the Americas and Europe will exchange ideas, experiences, and perspectives on regional collaborative efforts to address security challenges in the 21st century. This year’s CENTSEC will include plenary sessions on critical infrastructure protection in the cyber domain, climate change and environmental security, and human rights. The conference, sponsored annually by SOUTHCOM, was last hosted by Guatemala in 2014. 

Additionally, Richardson will participate in a panel discussion on the integration of women in peace, security, and defense missions, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and diversity in global security efforts.

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.  –  

USSPACECOM, Brazilian Air Force Sign Liaison Officer Agreement
 
PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. – U.S. Space Command and the Brazilian Air Force signed an arrangement to assign a Brazilian liaison officer to USSPACECOM, Apr. 11, 2024.
 
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Gibson, USSPACECOM director of strategy, plans and policy, and Maj. Gen. Eric Cólen, Brazilian Space Operations Center commander, signed the agreement during Space Symposium 39 in Colorado Springs, Colo.
 
In order to strengthen the U.S.-Brazilian military partnership in the space domain, the liaison officer will provide Brazilian armed forces expertise and insights to USSPACECOM, facilitate communications among Brazilian and U.S. space units, support U.S.- Brazil space-related partnership opportunities, and perform tasks that are mutually beneficial for the U.S.-Brazilian defense cooperation.
 
Foreign liaisons officers are direct conduits into USSPACECOM headquarters and represent their nation’s equities. The Brazilian liaison officer will serve as the national representative for all aspects of USSPACECOM-Brazilian cooperation with regard to the military use of space and share insight and recommendations to improve bilateral and multilateral relationships.
 
Media queries should be sent to U.S. Space Command Public Affairs Office at 719-554-3478 or USSPACECOM.pa.workflow@us.af.mil.
 

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.  –  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                           April 9, 2024                                       Release No. 2024-04-09-02
 
PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. – U.S. Space Command and the Uruguayan Air Force signed a Space Situational Awareness information sharing agreement, Apr. 9, 2024.
 
U.S. Space Force Gen. Stephen Whiting, USSPACECOM commander, and Gen. Luis H. De León Pepelescov, Chief of the Uruguayan Air Force, signed the agreement at Space Symposium 39 in Colorado Springs, Colo.
 
USSPACECOM’s Space Situational Awareness information sharing program enhances the safety, stability, security, and sustainability of spaceflight for all.
 
USSPACECOM holds more than 185 Space Situational Awareness information sharing agreements with partners from the commercial sector, academia, as well as foreign and intergovernmental organizations.
 
Media queries should be sent to U.S. Space Command Public Affairs Office at 719-554-3478 or USSPACECOM.pa.workflow@us.af.mil.
 

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

MIAMI (April 6, 2024) — U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), visited Argentina this week where she met with Argentine President Javier Milei and senior defense leaders and took part in the U.S.-provided donation of a C-130H Hercules aircraft to the country’s air force.

The general’s visit aimed to foster dialogue and cooperation with the country’s new government and defense leaders and underscore the long-standing commitment to enhancing the strategic partnership between both countries.

On April 3, Richardson met in Buenos Aires with Defense Minister Luis Petri and Brig. Gen. Xavier Isaac, head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Argentine Armed Forces and discussed strengthening the long-standing military collaboration between both nations, deepening regional security and promoting shared interests. The general also met with Cabinet Chief Nicolás Posse and Minister of Foreign Affairs Diana Mondino.

Later on the 3rd, Richardson joined Argentine service members and defense officials for a panel discussion on the advancement of the Women, Peace, and Security initiative.

On April 4, Richardson traveled to Ushuaia in southern Argentina and engaged with local military personnel to learn about their missions and the critical role they play in safeguarding shipping routes vital to global trade. In the late evening of the 4th, President Milei traveled to Ushuaia to meet with Richardson to discuss cooperation.

On April 5, Richardson joined President Milei and senior Argentine defense officials for a ceremony in Buenos Aires to mark the transfer of a C-130H Hercules transport aircraft to the Argentine Air Force. The aircraft is valued at approximately $34 million and is part of a US-funded security assistance donation.

“This C-130 can do it all. From routine transport to humanitarian and disaster relief operations to supporting Antarctic scientific research,” Richardson stated during remarks at the donation ceremony. “The donation of this $34 million aircraft from the United States will have a direct and immediate positive impact on Argentine aviation operations, increasing C-130 capabilities by at least 25%.”

“This donation is a testament to the deep relations shared between the United States and Argentina, and demonstrates the power of partnership,” said Richardson.

Late on the 5th, Richardson met with Argentine Vice President Victoria Villarruel to discuss deepening U.S.-Argentine defense cooperation. 

U.S. defense funding for security cooperation with Argentina exceeds $625 million this fiscal year, and is focused on key areas of mutual interest, such as professional and capacity development, cyber defense, and disaster preparedness.

This was Richardson’s 3rd visit to Argentina as commander of SOUTHCOM.

“The United States and Argentina share both a friendship and a partnership that has lasted over 200 years. Our bond is grounded by an unwavering commitment to democracy and its underlying values of respect for human rights and the rule of law,” said Richardson at the C-130H donation ceremony.

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) will deploy to the U.S. Southern Command area of operations over the next few months as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Southern Seas 2024 deployment.

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, commander of Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), travels to Argentina this week to foster dialogue and cooperation with the country’s new government and defense leaders. Her visit underscores the long-standing commitment to enhancing the strategic partnership between both countries.

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

While China and Russia pose the most danger to the homeland, the strategy also mentions threats from Iran and North Korea, said Zimmerman, who is performing the duties of assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and hemispheric affairs. 

“North Korea is expanding its nuclear and missile capability to threaten the homeland. Iran is testing space-launched technologies, and global terrorist groups require continued monitoring,” she said. 

“Emerging technologies pose new challenges to strategic stability and demand that we adapt and adjust our posture, deterring adversaries from employing advanced threats by denying them the benefits of their aggression,” she said. 

Small, uncrewed aircraft systems proliferate in the open market and their costs have decreased while their capabilities have rapidly increased, posing a threat to the homeland, Zimmerman said.  

The United States also continues to face the challenge of natural and manmade hazards, she said. 

Last year the U.S. homeland endured 114 incidents, 24 more than in 2022, caused by natural hazards including severe storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and wildfires, Zimmerman said. 

In December, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III approved a classified homeland defense policy guidance updating the Defense Department’s approach to homeland defense to account for major changes in the global security environment, she said, adding that the department plans to publish an unclassified version later this year.  

“The guidance looks to meet the challenges we face today by driving action across the department to deter threats of aggression or strategic attack to the homeland across multiple domains and the spectrum of conflict,” she said. 

The guidance also identifies initiatives that contribute to DOD’s ability to project power, defend the homeland and in the event of a conflict, maintain continuity of wartime operations, she said. 

Defense support to civil authorities is an important DOD activity, supporting the American public and U.S. partners in responding to disasters, public health emergencies and border security, so long as these activities do not impair warfighting readiness, Zimmerman noted. 

Today between 2,500 and 3,000 military personnel are deployed to the Southwest border, supporting U.S. Customs and Border Protection activities. DOD has supported this mission for 18 of the last 21 years, she said. 

“The United States derives immense benefit from a stable, peaceful and democratic Western Hemisphere that reduces security threats to our nation,” Zimmerman said.  

The U.S. is deepening partnerships with Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia and Chile, while reinforcing democratic institutions, civilian control of the military and respect for human rights and the rule of law, she said. 

On Feb. 22, Austin participated in the 5th North American Defense Ministerial virtually with his counterparts from Mexico and Canada to discuss opportunities to strengthen North American defense cooperation, she said.  

DOD is also working to sustain the department’s supporting role in Central America and the Caribbean for institutional capacity building, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, she said. 

In addition, the department is participating in U.S. government efforts to support a U.N.-backed multinational security support mission in Haiti to assist the Haitian national police, she said. 

Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, who also testified, said the National Security Strategy recognizes the direct link between Latin American and Caribbean security and U.S. security. 

Richardson emphasized strengthened partnerships in the region to address challenges from China, Russia, other adversaries and criminals. 

“The good news is working with our very willing partners leads to the best defense. We must use all available levers to strengthen our partnerships with the 28 like-minded democracies in this hemisphere who understand the power of working together to counter these shared threats,” she said. 

“The United States remains the preferred and most trusted security partner in the region. We build trust through investment and security cooperation programs that train and equip our partner militaries and security forces, a robust joint exercise program to build interoperability and the development and employment of emerging technologies,” she said.  

Richardson also mentioned robust interagency partnerships as being important, along with non-federal entities. 

Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command, who also testified, noted in his prepared remarks: “Transnational criminal organizations in Mexico and elsewhere in the Western Hemisphere continue to foster instability and challenge the rule of law, creating potential opportunities for our state and non-state adversaries to expand their access and influence along our southern approaches. 

“Irregular migration through Mexico reached record levels in the last year, and drug-related violence has escalated as rival cartels fight for control of lucrative drug and human trafficking routes. Cartels have also demonstrated a growing willingness to directly engage Mexican military, security forces, and government officials, highlighting the need for continued theater security cooperation with our partners in Mexico.” 

Guillot also noted in his prepared remarks the rapid proliferation of small unmanned aerial system technology and usage in the homeland, including near military installations.  

“While most of this activity can likely be attributed to hobbyists, sUAS could be exploited by nefarious actors for surveillance, illicit trafficking, or—in a worst case – attacks on domestic critical infrastructure. Unauthorized sUAS flights over government installations and civilian infrastructure have the potential to disrupt critical services and threaten force protection and mission assurance,” he stated. 

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Senior Kentucky National Guard leaders welcomed military personnel from the Armed Forces of Ecuador in a State Partnership Program exchange Jan. 30 – Feb. 1.

Eight senior officials representing Ecuador’s Army, Navy, and Air Force heard and saw what the Kentucky National Guard was about.

Ecuador has partnered with Kentucky since 1996, enhancing interoperability and readiness.

During the four-day visit, the Ecuadorians participated in briefings by the Kentucky Army National Guard and Kentucky Emergency Management, toured the capitol, and met Gov. Andy Beshear.

They also visited Airmen at the 123rd Airlift Wing in Louisville to learn about the Kentucky Air Guard’s support of U.S. military operations worldwide while also serving the commonwealth of Kentucky during times of crisis or natural disaster. 

Over the past few years, Kentucky and Ecuador have faced many of the same challenges, from civil unrest to flooding. Because of that, they met with Lexington Fire Training Center leaders and viewed static displays of rescue equipment and boats available to the fire department and its search and rescue teams.

“I don’t have a lot of information as far as this equipment,” said Admiral Jaime Vela Erazo, chief of the Joint Command of the Armed Forces. “But I do like and enjoy the capabilities that they have here in the event that there’s a natural disaster.”

Military leaders of both countries said this international partnership is about more than just discussing new technologies and equipment.

“There’s not necessarily one right way to conduct military operations,” said Maj. Gen. Haldane Lamberton, the adjutant general of Kentucky. “We learn from the military in Ecuador. They learn how we do things, and it works out terrifically well for an integrated dynamic of sharing information.”

After the visit to the Fire Academy, they were flown over eastern Kentucky in a UH-60 Black Hawk for a tour of the areas hit hardest during the flooding of 2022. The discussions continued at the airport in Hazard that served as the command post during Kentucky’s response to that natural disaster.

Following the flight back to Kentucky National Guard Headquarters in Frankfort, Lamberton and Erazo signed a new memorandum of agreement that continues the partnership into 2026.

“I enjoy every time I get an opportunity to participate in the State Partnership Program, whether it’s here in Kentucky or going to Ecuador, which is a beautiful, awesome country,” said Col. Tim Starke, director of operations for the KYARNG. “I feel like this week has gone really well because we’ve enabled our partners to meet Soldiers and Airmen to see the people who actually operate the equipment and conduct the missions, and hear directly from them about how we’re moving forward as an organization.”

Since the partnership began in 1996, Soldiers and Airmen from the Kentucky National Guard have engaged with their Ecuadorian counterparts in Kentucky and Ecuador. Highlights include joint training exercises, collaborative engineering and medical projects, and cultural exchanges.

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

COMALAPA, El Salvador (NNS)  –  

COMALAPA, El Salvador (NNS) — Sailors assigned to Cooperative Security Location (CSL) Comalapa spread the holiday spirit by hosting children from the Love and Hope Orphanage on base, Dec. 13.

During their visit, 21 children received a tour by CSL Sailors and holiday gifts via a Secret Santa gift exchange, and were treated to a pizza lunch.

The children also enjoyed the opportunity to tour a U.S. Navy P-3C Orion aircraft. After opening gifts and eating lunch, the children and Sailors played different outdoor events which included a sack race, egg toss, and a game of soccer.

“It felt great to be able to give gifts to these children and see their smiles; it was priceless,” said Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Jonathan Keaton. “Judging by the looks on their faces, they enjoyed the visit.”

Since 2013, CSL Sailors have volunteered over 700 off-duty hours to spend time with children at this particular orphanage, making frequent visits to provide mentorship and make a positive impact in the children’s lives. CSL Sailors and deployed squadron personnel have assisted the orphanage through numerous projects, and have also contributed to purchasing several appliances including a washer, dryer, and playground equipment for the home.

“I love to help because it gives me great pleasure to give back to the community,” said Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Manuel Trianadiaz. “I joined the Navy to serve, and this is just one way I can give back.”

CSL Comalapa provides critical logistics, infrastructure, and operational support to forward-deployed U.S. and partner nation aviation assets participating in Joint Interagency Task Force South-assigned counter-narcotic/illicit trafficking operations, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-directed humanitarian missions, and search and rescue efforts.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. 4th Fleet, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cusns/.