Southern Seas 2024: USS George Washington Deploys to Engage with South American Partners
USS George Washington (CVN 73), along with USS Porter (DDG 78) and USNS John Lenthall (T-AO-189), are scheduled to conduct passing exercises and operations at sea with partner nation maritime forces during the "Southern Seas 2024" deployment.
Resolute Sentinel 2024
Resolute Sentinel 2024 is a multinational training exercise that aims to enhance regional security and interoperability among forces from Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Brazil, France and the United States.
DoD Support to Haiti
The Department of Defense is providing support to the re-establishment of security at Haiti’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport security and Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission preparation efforts.
Exercise CENTAM Guardian 2024
CENTAM Guardian 2024, hosted in Honduras and Costa Rica, is designed to build humanitarian assistance/disaster response capacity, enhance readiness to combat common threats in Central America, and promote cooperation.

LATEST NEWS AND RELEASES

Gen. Richardson Meets With President, Senior Officials During Visit to Honduras
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (June 17, 2024) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, meets with Honduran President Xiomara Castro to discuss continued bilateral cooperation. Richardson visited Honduras June 17 – 18 to strengthen the U.S-Honduran defense partnership (Photo courtesy of the Government of Honduras)
June 20, 2024 - U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, visited Honduras June 17-18 and met with Honduran President Xiomara Castro and other senior officials to discuss continued bilateral cooperation. Richardson's visit to Honduras was her fifth as SOUTHCOM commander. The trip included a visit to Joint Task Force-Bravo to preside over the task force's change of command ceremony.
Joint Task Force-Bravo's 43rd Commander assumes command
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson (center), U.S. Southern Command’s Commander, stands with Joint Task Force-Bravo incoming commander, U.S. Army Col. Daniel Alder (right), and JTF-Bravo outgoing commander, U.S. Army Col. James Wiese (left) during the change of command ceremony at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, June 18, 2024. JTF-Bravo is U.S. Southern Command’s lead forward element in the Central American region with a joint area of operations that includes seven nations, and when directed, beyond that operational area. (U.S. Army photo by Martin Chahin)
June 18, 2024 - U.S. Army Col. Daniel Alder assumes command of Joint Task Force-Bravo during a change of command ceremony becoming the 43rd commander of JTF-Bravo at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, June 18, 2024. 
Multinational CENTAM Guardian 24 Exercise Completed
U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers assigned to the 1st Mission Support Command’s Urban Search and Rescue Team, Puerto Rico, receive instructions from Costa Rican firefighters as part of CENTAM Guardian 24 Phase II at the National Fire Academy, San Jose, Costa Rica, June 11, 2024. The U.S. spent the day training and observing Costa Rican firefighters and search and rescue teams to build knowledge and interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shelby Pruitt-Johnson)
June 14, 2024 - CENTAM Guardian Phase II concludes after two weeks with a closing ceremony at Costa Rica’s National Fire Academy, San Jose, Costa Rica, June 14, 2024.
Gen. Richardson meets with Defense Leaders in Chile
June 14, 2024 - U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, Commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), visited Chile June 10-13 and met with top defense leaders to discuss the U.S.-Chile defense partnership.
CENTAM Guardian Phase II, part of a Large Scale Global Exercise
U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers assigned to the 1st Mission Support Command’s Urban Search and Rescue Team, Puerto Rico, practice repelling during CENTAM Guardian 24 Phase II at the National Fire Academy, San Jose, Costa Rica, June 11, 2024. The coordinated response between the United States and Central American countries and the timely arrival of humanitarian assistance can make the difference between life and death for many communities during natural disasters or unplanned contingency operations. (Courtesy Photo)
June 14, 2024 - CENTAM Guardian Phase II is part of a Large Scale Global Exercise that enables the U.S. joint force to train with Allies and partners to improve trust, shared understanding and interoperability on security challenges across the global.
410th Contracting Support Brigade holds change of command
Col. Kenneth Bulthuis, incoming commander of 410th Contracting Support Brigade, passes the brigade colors to Command Sgt. Maj. Darlene Riley, 410th CSB senior enlisted advisor, during a change of command ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, on June 11, 2024. Bulthius assumed command of the 410th CSB from Col. Daphne Austin. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Cox)
June 12, 2024 - In one of the military’s finest traditions, Soldiers, leaders, Families and friends of the 410th Contracting Support Brigade, welcomed back an exceptional leader and bid farewell to another during a change of command ceremony at the Fort Sam Houston Theater at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, on June 11.
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PHOTOS

A look at Department of Defense support to the Haiti airport security and Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission preparation efforts, as of 4:00 pm EDT, June 28, 2024.
A look at Department of Defense support to the Haiti airport security and Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission preparation efforts, as of 9:00 am EDT, June 20, 2024.
Gen. Laura Richardson meets with Honduran President Xiomara Castro.
A photo of a Soldier talking.
A photo of a Soldier talking to a crowd.
A photo of service members saluting.
A photo of service members posing for a photo.
A photo of people standing at a table.
A look at Department of Defense support to the Haiti airport security and Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission preparation efforts, as of 5:00 pm EDT, June 14, 2024.
Three people wearing surgical uniforms and masks look down in a darkened room.
A photo of a firefighter drone in the sky with people looking up at it.
A photo of firefighters carrying part of a tent downhill.
A photo of people training in hazmat suits.
A photo of people repelling off a structure.
A photo of people repelling off a structure.
A photo of a man teaching a pistol class.
A photo of people posing in front of a helicopter.
A photo of a large crowd listening to a presentation.
A photo of a Soldier inspecting a helicopter propeller.
A photo of people looking at a piece of paper together.
A photo of service members listening to a brief.
A photo of a group of service members.
A look at Department of Defense support to the Haiti airport security and Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission preparation efforts, as of 5:00 pm EDT, June 7, 2024.
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USNS John Lenthall, left, USS George Washington (CVN 73) and a Chilean navy ship transit the Strait of Magellan.
Lt. Rachel Lee, attached to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140 as an electronic warfare officer, from Centerville, Virginia, performs preflight checks on an E/A-18G Growler on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in the Pacific Ocean, June 7, 2024.
USS George Washington (CVN 73) transits the Strait of Magellan.
U.S. Air Force firefighters simulate evacuating a pilot for a fire rescue evacuation training during Resolute Sentinel 2024 in Lima, Peru, June 3, 2024. RS24 is a multinational training opportunity that improves the readiness of U.S. and partner nation militaries through humanitarian assistance and disaster response. (U.S. Air force photo by Airman 1st Class Sir Wyrick)
U.S. Air Force firefighters simulate putting out an aircraft fire for a fire rescue evacuation training during Resolute Sentinel 2024 in Lima, Peru, June 3, 2024. One of RS24's goals is to prepare the U.S. and partnered nations to effectively give proper aid during emergency responses with limited resources. (U.S. Air force photo by Airman 1st Class Sir Wyrick)
Peruvian and U.S. Air Force firefighters stage a simulated MIL Mi - 17 helicopter fire for a fire rescue evacuation training during Resolute Sentinel 2024 in Lima, Peru, June 3, 2024. Exercise RS24 is an opportunity for cultural and tactical integration between the U.S. and its allied partnered nations. (U.S. Air force photo by Airman 1st Class Sir Wyrick)
A Peruvian Air Force pilot gives a familiarization tour of a MIL Mi - 17 helicopter during Resolute Sentinel 2024 in Lima, Peru, June 3, 2024. RS24 is a three-week exercise that will integrate combat interoperability and disaster response training. (U.S. Air force photo by Airman 1st Class Sir Wyrick)
An orange flame is seen in the dark as a sailor in silhouette fires a machine gun aboard a ship at night.
USS George Washington (CVN 73) transits the Strait of Magellan.
USS George Washington (CVN 73) transits the Strait of Magellan.
Peruvian, Brazilian, and U.S. armed forces personnel conduct Tactical Combat Casualty Care training as part of exercise Resolute Sentinel 2024 at Las Palmas Air Base in Lima, Peru, June 4, 2024
A Brazilian Air Force medical professional conducts Tactical Combat Casualty Care on a U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 167th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron from McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, W.Va., as part of exercise Resolute Sentinel 2024 at Las Palmas Air Base in Lima, Peru, June 4, 2024.
Peruvian Army medical professionals conduct Tactical Combat Casualty Care on a U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 167th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron from McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, W.Va., as part of exercise Resolute Sentinel 2024 at Las Palmas Air Base in Lima, Peru, June 4, 2024.
USS George Washington (CVN 73) transits the Strait of Magellan.
USNS John Lenthall (T-AO 189), front, and USS Porter (DDG 78) transit the Strait of Magellan.
U.S. Air Force Col. Barton Kenerson, Combined Joint Task Force – Resolute Sentinel 2024 commander, left, and Peruvian Air Force Col. Fidel Castro, CJTF – RS24 deputy commander, chat before a commander update briefing at task force headquarters in Lima, Peru, May 30, 2024. The Resolute Sentinel exercise honors the promise to be trusted partners in the region by increasing collaboration, enhancing interoperability and building partner nation capacity to work together when support is needed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andrea Jenkins)
Peruvian Air Force Col. Fidel Castro, Combined Joint Task Force – Resolute Sentinel 2024 deputy commander, left, and U.S. Air Force Col. Barton Kenerson, CJTF – RS24 commander, pose for a photo at task force headquarters in Lima, Peru, May 30, 2024. This combined, joint force exercise focuses on building strong partnerships with partner nation militaries enabling readiness for any future shared challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andrea Jenkins)
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James (WMSL 754) moors at the Port of Fortaleza, Brazil, June 3, 2024. James made a scheduled port visit during Operation Southern Cross 2024. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Logan Kaczmarek)
A box of blood is opened during a transport for Resolute Sentinel 2024 in Lima, Peru, May 30, 2024. The blood was delivered into Peru to ensure lifesaving contingency plans were viable if crisis should arise. RS24 is a multi-national training opportunity between the U.S., Peru, Brazil, Chile, Columbia and Ecuador, that improves the readiness of U.S. and partner nation militaries through humanitarian assistance and disaster response. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Courtney Sebastianelli)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Thiago Goes, 70th Aerial Port Squadron special handler/joint inspector, gives Col. Brian Gavitt, Combined Joint Task Force - Resolute Sentinel Surgeon General and 346th Expeditionary Operational Medical Readiness Squadron commander, a box of donated blood during exercise Resolute Sentinel 2024 in Lima, Peru, May 30, 2024. The blood was requested and within 24 hours was shipped from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, to Lima. RS24 is a three-week exercise that will integrate combat interoperability and disaster response training, in addition to space domain awareness, medical and legal exchanges, humanitarian aid and construction projects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Courtney Sebastianelli)
A simulated aeromedical evacuation patient receives a respirator during Resolute Sentinel 2024 in Lima, Peru, May 30, 2024. RS24 is a multinational training opportunity that offers real-world benefits to the participating nations of Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Brazil, France and the United States. (U.S. Air force photo by Airman 1st Class Sir Wyrick)
U.S. Airmen assigned to the 167th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and the 88th Healthcare Operations Squadron, set up a blood transfusion on a simulated aeromedical evacuation patient during Resolute Sentinel 2024 in Lima, Peru, May 30, 2024. Resolute Sentinel 24's goal is to prepare the participating nations for providing care to patients in areas where treatment options and resources are limited. (U.S. Air force photo by Airman 1st Class Sir Wyrick)
Peruvian Coast Guardsmen spectate an aeromedical evacuation training during Resolute Sentinel 2024 in Lima, Peru, May 30, 2024. Exercise RS24 is an opportunity for cultural and tactical integration between the U.S. and its allied Latin American nations. (U.S. Air force photo by Airman 1st Class Sir Wyrick)
Airmen from the Peruvian and U.S. Air Forces check the vital readings of a simulated aeromedical evacuation patient during Resolute Sentinel 2024 in Lima, Peru, May 30, 2024. Resolute Sentinel 24's goal is to prepare the participating nations for providing care to patients in areas where treatment options and resources are limited. (U.S. Air force photo by Airman 1st Class Sir Wyrick)

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Gen. Laura J. Richardson bio photo

Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson is the commander of U.S. Southern Command. She assumed command Oct. 29, 2021.

Gen. Richardson's Bio

 

TEAM SOUTHCOM button. Links to Team SOUTHCOM page.

A Network of Mutual Support: Total Engagement for All Members of U.S. Southern Command, or TEAM SOUTHCOM, is a command-sponsored organization that aims to support command service members, civilians and family members -- in South Florida and assigned throughout the region.