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United States Southern Command

The United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), located in Doral, Florida in Greater Miami, is one of the eleven unified combatant commands in the United States Department of Defense. It is responsible for providing contingency planning, operations, and security cooperation for Central and South America, the Caribbean (except U.S. commonwealths, territories, and possessions), their territorial waters, and for the force protection of U.S. military resources at these locations. USSOUTHCOM is also responsible for ensuring the defense of the Panama Canal and the canal area.[8]

United States Southern Command
Founded11 June 1963
(60 years, 8 months ago)
Country United States
TypeUnified combatant command
RoleGeographic combatant command
Size1,200 personnel[1]
Part ofUnited States Department of Defense
HeadquartersDoral, Florida, U.S.
EngagementsInvasion of Panama
Operation New Horizons
Operation Unified Response
Operation Continuing Promise United States invasion of Grenada
Operation Uphold Democracy
Operation Secure Tomorrow
Decorations Order of San Carlos[2]
Websitewww.southcom.mil
Commanders
CommanderGeneral Laura J. Richardson, USA[3]
Military Deputy CommanderVice Admiral Alvin Holsey, USN[4]
Civilian Deputy to the CommanderAmbassador Sarah-Ann Lynch, DOS[5]
Insignia
Distinctive Unit Insignia
NATO Map Symbol[6][7]
Unit Flag
In this map, SOUTHCOM Area of Responsibility is shown in green letters

Under the leadership of a four-star Commander, USSOUTHCOM is organized into a headquarters with six main directorates, component commands and military groups that represent SOUTHCOM in the region. USSOUTHCOM is a joint command[9] of more than 1,201 military and civilian personnel representing the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and several other federal agencies. Civilians working at USSOUTHCOM are, for the most part, civilian employees of the Army, as the Army is USSOUTHCOM's Combatant Command Support Agent. The Services provide USSOUTHCOM with component commands which, along with their Joint Special Operations component, two Joint Task Forces, one Joint Interagency Task Force, and Security Cooperation Offices, perform USSOUTHCOM missions and security cooperation activities. USSOUTHCOM exercises its authority through the commanders of its components, Joint Task Forces/Joint Interagency Task Force, and Security Cooperation Organizations.

Area of Responsibility edit

 
SOUTHCOM Area of Focus

The USSOUTHCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR) encompasses 32 nations (19 in Central and South America and 13 in the Caribbean), of which 31 are democracies, and 14 U.S. and European territories. As of October 2002, the area of focus covered 14.5 million square miles (23.2 million square kilometers.)[10]

The United States Southern Command area of interest includes:

Components edit

USSOUTHCOM accomplishes much of its mission through its service components, four representing each service, one specializing in Special Operations missions, and three additional joint task forces:[11]

U.S. Army South (Sixth Army) edit

 

United States Army South (ARSOUTH) forces include aviation, intelligence, communication, and logistics units. Located at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, it supports regional disaster relief and counter-drug efforts. ARSOUTH also exercises oversight, planning, and logistical support for humanitarian and civic assistance projects throughout the region in support of the USSOUTHCOM Theater Security Cooperation Strategy. ARSOUTH provides Title 10 and Executive Agent responsibilities throughout the Latin American and Caribbean region. In 2013, around four thousand troops were deployed in Latin America.[12]

Air Forces Southern (Twelfth Air Force) edit

 

Located at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, AFSOUTH consists of a staff; a Falconer Combined Air and Space Operations Center for command and control of air activity in the USSOUTHCOM area and an Air Force operations group responsible for Air Force forces in the area. AFSOUTH serves as the executive agent for forward operating locations; provides joint/combined radar surveillance architecture oversight; provides intra-theater airlift; and supports USSOUTHCOM's Theater Security Cooperation Strategy through regional disaster relief exercises and counter-drug operations. AFSOUTH also provides oversight, planning, execution, and logistical support for humanitarians and civic assistance projects and hosts a number of Airmen-to-Airmen conferences. Twelfth Air Force is also leading the way in bringing the Chief of Staff of the Air Force's Warfighting Headquarters (WFHQ) concept to life. The WFHQ is composed of a command and control element, an Air Force forces staff and an Air Operations Center. Operating as a WFHQ since June 2004, Twelfth Air Force has served as the Air Force model for the future of Combined Air and Space Operations Centers and WFHQ Air Force forces.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. Fourth Fleet edit

 
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. 4th Fleet official logos

Located at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, USNAVSO exercises command and control over all U.S. naval operations in the USSOUTHCOM area including naval exercises, maritime operations, and port visits. USNAVSO is also the executive agent for the operation of the cooperative security location at Comalapa, El Salvador, which provides basing in support of aerial counter-narcoterrorism operations.

On 24 April 2008, Admiral Gary Roughead, the Chief of Naval Operations, announced that the United States Fourth Fleet would be re-established, effective 1 July, responsible for U.S. Navy ships, aircraft and submarines operating in the Caribbean Sea, as well as Central and South America. Rear Admiral Joseph D. Kernan was named as the fleet commander and Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command.[13] Up to four ships are deployed in the waters in and around Latin American, at any given time.[12]

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South edit

 

Located in Doral, Florida, USMARFORSOUTH commands all United States Marine Corps Forces (MARFORs) assigned to USSOUTHCOM; advises USSOUTHCOM on the proper employment and support of MARFORs; conducts deployment/redeployment planning and execution of assigned/attached MARFORs; and accomplishes other operational missions as assigned.

Special Operations Command South edit

 
 
Brigadier General Sean Mulholland, SOCSOUTH Commander in 2014, honors 7th SFG(A) soldiers in Honduras

Located at Homestead Air Reserve Base near Miami, Florida, Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH) provides the primary theater contingency response force and plans, prepares for, and conducts special operations in support of USSOUTHCOM. USSOCSOUTH controls all Special Operations Forces in the region and also establishes and operates a Joint Special Operations Task Force when required. As a Theater Special Operations Command (TSOC), USSOCSOUTH is a sub-unified command of USSOUTHCOM.

SOCSOUTH has five assigned or attached subordinate commands including "Charlie" Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) (7th SFG(A)); "Charlie" Company, 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne); Naval Special Warfare Unit FOUR; 112th Signal Detachment SOCSOUTH; and Joint Special Operations Air Component-South.

There are also three task forces with specific missions in the region that report to U.S. Southern Command:

Joint Task Force Bravo edit

 

Located at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, Joint Task Force (JTF) -Bravo operates a forward, all-weather day/night C-5-capable airbase. JTF – Bravo organizes multilateral exercises and supports, in cooperation with partner nations, humanitarian and civic assistance, counter-drug, contingency and disaster relief operations in Central America.

Joint Task Force Guantanamo edit

 

Located at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, JTF – Guantanamo conducts detention and interrogation operations in support of the War on Terrorism, coordinates and implements detainee screening operations, and supports law enforcement and war crimes investigations as well as Military Commissions for Detained Enemy Combatants. JTF – Guantanamo is also prepared to support mass migration operations at Naval Station GTMO.

Joint Interagency Task Force South edit

 

Located in Key West, Florida, JIATF South is an interagency task force that serves as the catalyst for integrated and synchronized interagency counter-drug operations and is responsible for the detection and monitoring of suspect air and maritime drug activity in the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the eastern Pacific. JIATF- South also collects, processes, and disseminates counter-drug information for interagency operations. Manta Air Base was one of JIATF-South's bases, in Ecuador until 19 September 2009.[14]

Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief edit

USSOUTHCOM's overseas humanitarian assistance and disaster relief programs build the capacity of host nations to respond to disasters and build their self-sufficiency while also empowering regional organizations.

These programs provide valuable training to U.S. military units in responding effectively to assist the victims of storms, earthquakes, and other natural disasters through the provision of medical, surgical, dental, and veterinary services, as well as civil construction projects.

The Humanitarian Assistance Program funds projects that enhance the capacity of host nations to respond when disasters strike and better prepare them to mitigate acts of terrorism. Humanitarian Assistance Program projects such as technical aid and the construction of disaster relief warehouses, emergency operation centers, shelters, and schools promote peace and stability, support the development of the civilian infrastructure necessary for economic and social reforms, and improve the living conditions of impoverished regions in the AOR.

Humanitarian assistance exercises such as Exercise Nuevos Horizontes (New Horizons) involve the construction of schools, clinics, and water wells in countries throughout the region. At the same time, medical readiness exercises involving teams consisting of doctors, nurses and dentists also provide general and specialized health services to host nation citizens requiring care. These humanitarian assistance exercises, which last several months each, provide much-needed services and infrastructure, while providing critical training for deployed U.S. military forces. These exercises generally take place in rural, underprivileged areas. USSOUTHCOM attempts to combine these efforts with those of host-nation doctors, either military or civilian, to make them even more beneficial.

In 2006, USSOUTHCOM sponsored 69 Medical Readiness Training Exercises in 15 nations, providing medical services to more than 270,000 citizens from the region. During 2007, USSOUTHCOM is scheduled to conduct 61 additional medical exercises in 14 partner nations.

USSOUTHCOM sponsors disaster preparedness exercises, seminars and conferences to improve the collective ability of the U.S. and its partner nations to respond effectively and expeditiously to disasters. USSOUTHCOM has also supported the construction or improvement of three Emergency Operations Centers, 13 Disaster Relief Warehouses and prepositioned relief supplies across the region. Construction of eight additional Emergency Operation Centers and seven additional warehouses is ongoing.

This type of multinational disaster preparedness has proven to increase the ability of USSOUTHCOM to work with America's partner nations. For example, following the 2005 Hurricane Stan in Guatemala, USSOUTHCOM deployed 11 military helicopters and 125 personnel to assist with relief efforts. In conjunction with their Guatemalan counterparts, they evacuated 48 victims and delivered nearly 200 tons of food, medical supplies and communications equipment. Following Tropical Storm Gamma in Honduras, JTF-Bravo deployed nine helicopters and more than 40 personnel to assist with relief efforts. They airlifted more than 100,000 pounds of emergency food, water and medical supplies. USSOUTHCOM was deployed to Haiti following the 2010 Haiti earthquake to lead the humanitarian effort.[15]

USSOUTHCOM also conducts counter-narcotics and counter-narcoterrorism programs.

History edit

The United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) traces its origins to 1903 when the first U.S. Marines arrived in Panama to ensure U.S. control of the Panama Railroad connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans across the narrow waist of the Panamanian Isthmus.[16][17]

The Marines protected the Panamanian civilian uprising against the government of Colombia led by former Panama Canal Company general manager Philippe-Jean Bunau-Varilla, thereby guaranteeing the separation of Panama from Colombia and his creation of the Panamanian state. Following the signing of the Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty granting control of the Panama Canal Zone to the United States, the Marines remained to provide security during the early construction days of the Panama Canal.[16]

In 1904, Army Colonel William C. Gorgas was sent to the Canal Zone (as it was then called) as Chief Sanitary Officer to fight yellow fever and malaria. In two years, yellow fever was eliminated from the Canal Zone. Soon after, malaria was also brought under control. With the appointment of Army Lieutenant Colonel George W. Goethals to the post of chief engineer of the Isthmian Canal Commission by then President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907, the construction changed from a civilian to a military project.[16]

In 1911, the first troops of the U.S. Army's 10th Infantry Regiment arrived at Camp E. S. Otis, on the Pacific side of the Isthmus. They assumed primary responsibility for Canal defense. In 1914, the Marine Battalion left the Isthmus to participate in operations against Pancho Villa in Mexico. On 14 August 1914, seven years after Goethals' arrival, the Panama Canal opened to world commerce.[16]

The first company of coast artillery troops arrived in 1914 and later established fortifications at each end (Atlantic and Pacific) of the Canal as the Harbor Defenses (HD) of Cristobal and HD Balboa, respectively, with mobile forces of infantry and light artillery centrally located to support either end. By 1915, a consolidated command was designated as Headquarters, U.S. Troops, Panama Canal Zone. The command reported directly to the Army's Eastern Department headquartered at Fort Jay, Governors Island, New York. The headquarters of this newly created command was first located in the Isthmian Canal Commission building in the town of Ancon, adjacent to Panama City. It relocated in 1916 to the nearby newly designated military post of Quarry Heights, which had begun construction in 1911.[16]

On 1 July 1917, almost three months after the American entry into World War I, the Panama Canal Department was activated as a geographic command of the U.S. Army. It remained as the senior Army headquarters in the region until activation of the Caribbean Defense Command (CDC) on 10 February 1941. The CDC, co-located at Quarry Heights, was commanded by Lieutenant General Daniel Van Voorhis, who continued to command the Panama Canal Department.[16]

The new command eventually assumed operational responsibility over air and naval forces assigned in its area of operations during World War II, which included all U.S. forces and bases in the Caribbean basin outside the continental United States. By early 1942, a Joint Operations Center had been established at Quarry Heights. Meanwhile, 960 jungle-trained officers and enlisted men from the CDC deployed to New Caledonia in the southwest Pacific to help form the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), codenamed 'Galahad' and later nicknamed Merrill's Marauders for its famous exploits in Burma.[18] In the meantime, military strength in the area was gradually rising and reached its peak in January 1943, when 68,000 personnel were defending the Panama Canal. Military strength was sharply reduced with the termination of World War II. Between 1946 and 1974, total military strength in Panama fluctuated between 6,600 and 20,300 (with the lowest force strength in 1959).

In December 1946, President Harry S. Truman approved recommendations of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for a comprehensive system of military commands to put responsibility for conducting military operations of all military forces in various geographical areas, in the hands of a single commander. Although the Caribbean Command was designated by the Defense Department on 1 November 1947, it did not become fully operational until 10 March 1948, when the old Caribbean Defense Command was inactivated.[16]

On 6 June 1963, reflecting the fact that the command had a responsibility for U.S. military operations primarily in Central and South America, rather than in the Caribbean, President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara formally redesignated it as the United States Southern Command.[16] The command's mission began to shift with the expansion of the Cold War to Latin America. Kennedy and his successor Lyndon B. Johnson expanded the division in the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis and reoriented it towards irregular warfare against the establishment of another Communist state in the Western Hemisphere.[19] From 1975 until late 1994 total military strength in Panama remained at about 10,000 personnel.[16]

In January 1996 and June 1997, two phases of changes to the Department of Defense Unified Command Plan (UCP) were completed. Each phase of the UCP change added territory to SOUTHCOM's area of responsibility. The impact of the changes is significant. The new AOR includes the Caribbean, its 13 island nations and several U.S. and European territories, the Gulf of Mexico, as well as significant portions of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The 1999 update to the UCP also transferred responsibility of an additional portion of the Atlantic Ocean to SOUTHCOM. On 1 October 2000, Southern Command assumed responsibility of the adjacent waters in the upper quadrant above Brazil, which was presently under the responsibility of U.S. Joint Forces Command.[16]

The new AOR encompasses 32 nations (19 in Central and South America and 13 in the Caribbean), of which 31 are democracies, and 14 U.S. and European territories covering more than 15,600,000 square miles (40,000,000 km2).[16]

With the creation of the United States Department of Homeland Security, USSOUTHCOM Area of Responsibility (October 2002) experienced minor upper boundary redistribution or changes decreasing its total boundary by 1.1 square miles. (14.5 million square miles (23.2 million square kilometers.)

With the implementation of the Panama Canal Treaties (the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 and the Treaty concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operations of the Panama Canal), the U.S. Southern Command was relocated in Miami, Florida, on 26 September 1997.[16]

A new headquarters building was constructed and opened in 2010 adjacent to the old rented building in the Doral area of Miami-Dade County. The complex features state-of-the-art planning and conference facilities. This capability is showcased in the 45,000-square-foot Conference Center of the Americas, which can support meetings of differing classification levels and multiple translations, information sources and video conferencing.

In 2012, as many as a dozen SouthCom service members, together with a number of Secret Service officers, were disciplined after they were found to have brought prostitutes to their rooms shortly before President Obama arrived for a summit in Cartagena, Colombia. According to the Associated Press seven Army soldiers and two Marines received administrative punishments for what an official report cited by the wire service said was misconduct consisting "almost exclusively of patronizing prostitutes and adultery." Hiring prostitutes, the report added, "is a violation of the U.S. military code of justice."[20] In 2014, SouthCom commander Kelly testified that while border security was an 'Existential' threat to the country, due to Budget sequestration in 2013 his forces were unable to respond to 75% of illicit trafficking events.[21]

USSOUTHCOM's 2017-2027 Theater Strategy states that potential challenges in the future include transregional and transnational threat networks (T3Ns) which include traditional criminal organizations, as well as the expanding potential of extremist organizations such as ISIL and Hezbollah operating in the region by taking advantage of weak Caribbean and Latin American institutions. USSOUTHCOM also notes that the region is "extremely vulnerable to natural disasters and the outbreak of infectious diseases" due to issues with governance and inequality. Finally, the report recognizes the growing presence of China, Iran and Russia in the region, and that the intentions of these nations bring "a challenge to every nation that values nonaggression, rule of law, and respect for human rights". These challenges have been used to promote relationships between the United States and other governments in the region.[22]

State Partnership Program edit

US SOUTHCOM currently has 22 state partnerships under the state partnership program (SPP). SPP creates a partnership between a state of the U.S. and a foreign nation by linking the host nation military or security forces with the National Guard. SOUTHCOM is equaled only by EUCOM in its number of partnerships.

Commanders edit

 
Admiral Craig S. Faller, commander, U.S. Southern Command, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, and Admiral Kurt W. Tidd, outgoing commander, share the stage during the SOUTHCOM change of command ceremony on 26 November 2018.

The U.S. Southern Command was activated in 1963, emerging from the U.S. Caribbean Command, established in 1947. Last commander of the U.S. Caribbean Command from January 1961 to June 1963 and first commander of the U.S. Southern Command since June 1963 was Lieutenant General–later General–Andrew P. O'Meara.[23]

No. Commander Term Service branch
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
1
 
Crittenberger, Willis D.Lieutenant General
Willis D. Crittenberger
(1890–1980)
November 1947June 1948~ 213 days 
U.S. Army
2
 
Ridgway, Matthew B.Lieutenant General
Matthew B. Ridgway
(1895–1993)
June 1948October 1949~ 1 year, 122 days 
U.S. Army
3
 
Morris Jr., William H. H.Lieutenant General
William H. H. Morris Jr.
(1890–1971)
October 1949April 1952~ 2 years, 183 days 
U.S. Army
4
 
McBride, Horace L.Lieutenant General
Horace L. McBride
(1894–1962)
April 1952June 1954~ 2 years, 61 days 
U.S. Army
5
 
Harrison Jr., William K.Lieutenant General
William K. Harrison Jr.
(1895–1987)
June 1954January 1957~ 2 years, 214 days 
U.S. Army
6
 
Montague, Robert M.Lieutenant General
Robert M. Montague
(1899–1958)
January 1957February 1958~ 1 year, 31 days 
U.S. Army
7
 
Gaither, RidgelyLieutenant General
Ridgely Gaither
(1903–1992)
April 1958July 1960~ 2 years, 91 days 
U.S. Army
8
 
Sink, Robert F.Lieutenant General
Robert F. Sink
(1905–1965)
July 1960January 1961~ 184 days 
U.S. Army
9
 
O'Meara, AndrewGeneral
Andrew P. O'Meara
(1907–2005)
6 January 196122 February 19654 years, 47 days 
U.S. Army
10
 
Porter, RobertGeneral
Robert W. Porter Jr.
(1908–2000)
22 February 196518 February 19693 years, 362 days 
U.S. Army
11
 
Mather, GeorgeGeneral
George R. Mather
(1911–1993)
18 February 196920 September 19712 years, 214 days 
U.S. Army
12
 
Underwood, GeorgeGeneral
George V. Underwood Jr.
(1913–1984)
20 September 197117 January 19731 year, 119 days 
U.S. Army
13
 
Rosson, WilliamGeneral
William B. Rosson
(1918–2004)
17 January 19731 August 19752 years, 196 days 
U.S. Army
14
 
McAuliffe, DennisLieutenant General
Dennis P. McAuliffe
1 August 19751 October 19794 years, 61 days 
U.S. Army
15
 
Nutting, WallaceLieutenant General
Wallace H. Nutting
(born 1928)
1 October 197924 May 19833 years, 235 days 
U.S. Army
16
 
Gorman, PaulGeneral
Paul F. Gorman
(born 1927)
24 May 19831 March 19851 year, 281 days 
U.S. Army
17
 
Galvin, JohnGeneral
John R. Galvin
(1929–2015)
1 March 19856 June 19872 years, 97 days 
U.S. Army
18
 
Woerner, FrederickGeneral
Frederick F. Woerner Jr.
(1933–2023)
6 June 19871 October 19892 years, 117 days 
U.S. Army
19
 
Thurman, MaxwellGeneral
Maxwell R. Thurman
(1931–1995)
1 October 198921 November 19901 year, 51 days 
U.S. Army
20
 
Joulwan, GeorgeGeneral
George A. Joulwan
(born 1939)
21 November 1990October 1993~ 2 years, 314 days 
U.S. Army
-
 
Worthington, W.Major General
Walter T. Worthington
Acting
October 199317 February 1994~ 139 days 
U.S. Air Force
21
 
McCaffrey, BarryGeneral
Barry McCaffrey
(born 1942)
17 February 19941 March 19962 years, 13 days 
U.S. Army
-
 
Perkins, JamesRear Admiral
James Perkins
Acting
1 March 199626 June 1996117 days 
U.S. Navy
22
 
Clark, WesleyGeneral
Wesley Clark
(born 1944)
26 June 199613 July 19971 year, 17 days 
U.S. Army
-
 
Doran, Walter F.Rear Admiral
Walter F. Doran
(born 1945)
Acting
13 July 199725 September 199774 days 
U.S. Navy
23
 
Wilhelm, CharlesGeneral
Charles E. Wilhelm
(born 1941)
25 September 19978 September 20002 years, 349 days 
U.S. Marine Corps
24
 
Pace, PeterGeneral
Peter Pace
(born 1945)
8 September 200030 September 20011 year, 22 days 
U.S. Marine Corps
-
 
Speer, GaryMajor General
Gary D. Speer
Acting
30 September 200118 August 2002322 days 
U.S. Army
25
 
Hill, JamesGeneral
James T. Hill
(born 1946)
18 August 20029 November 20042 years, 83 days 
U.S. Army
26
 
Craddock, BantzGeneral
Bantz J. Craddock
(born 1949)
9 November 200419 October 20061 year, 344 days 
U.S. Army
27
 
Stavridis, JamesAdmiral
James G. Stavridis
(born 1955)
19 October 200625 June 20092 years, 249 days 
U.S. Navy
28
 
Fraser, DouglasGeneral
Douglas M. Fraser
(born 1953)
25 June 200919 November 20123 years, 147 days 
U.S. Air Force
29
 
Kelly, JohnGeneral
John F. Kelly
(born 1950)
19 November 201214 January 20163 years, 56 days 
U.S. Marine Corps
30
 
Tidd, KurtAdmiral
Kurt W. Tidd
(born 1956)
14 January 201626 November 20182 years, 316 days 
U.S. Navy
31
 
Faller, CraigAdmiral
Craig S. Faller
(born 1961)
26 November 201829 October 20212 years, 337 days 
U.S. Navy
32
 
Richardson, LauraGeneral
Laura J. Richardson
(born 1963)
29 October 2021Incumbent2 years, 106 days 
U.S. Army

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "About USSOUTHCOM". U.S. Southern Command. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  2. ^ Colombian President Visits, Thanks Southcom for its Support, DoD, dated 2018, last accessed 25 April 2018
  3. ^ "Gen. Laura J. Richardson". U.S. Southern Command. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Vice Adm. Alvin Holsey". U.S. Southern Command. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  5. ^ "Amb. Sarah-Ann Lynch". U.S. Southern Command. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  6. ^ FM 1-02 Operational Terms and Graphics (PDF). US Army. 21 September 2004. pp. 5–36.
  7. ^ ADP 1-02 Terms and Military Symbols (PDF). US Army. 14 August 2018. pp. 4–8.
  8. ^ "About Us". U.S. Southern Command. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  9. ^ See TITLE 10 > Subtitle A > PART I > CHAPTER 6 > § 164 for assignment, powers and duties.
  10. ^ [1] 14 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ "SOUTHCOM Component Commands & Units". U.S. Southern Command. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  12. ^ a b martha Mendoza (3 February 2013). "Military expands its drug war in Latin America". Army Times. Associated Press. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  13. ^ "News Release View - Navy Re-Establishes U.S. Fourth Fleet – DOD New Release No. 338-07 – 24 April 2008". Defenselink.mil. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  14. ^ "Last US forces abandon Manta military base in Ecuador". DEn.mercopress.com. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  15. ^ [2] 17 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l . USSOUTHCOM. 11 September 2006. Archived from the original on 17 October 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  17. ^ U.S. Army South – A Brief History
  18. ^ "MERRILL'S MARAUDERS ASSOCIATION WELCOME PAGE". www.marauder.org.
  19. ^ Collins, N.W. (2021). Grey wars : a contemporary history of U.S. special operations. New Haven. ISBN 978-0-300-25834-9. OCLC 1255527666.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  20. ^ "Report: Colombian prostitute scandal involved military". Content.usatoday.com. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  21. ^ O'Toole, Molly (5 July 2014). "Top General Says Mexico Border Security Now 'Existential' Threat to U.S." Defenseone.com. National Journal Group, Inc. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  22. ^ (PDF). USSOUTHCOM. 4 April 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 June 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  23. ^ "A Half-Century of Service SOUTHCOM" (PDF). USSOUTHCOM. 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2017.

Further reading edit

  • Conn, Stetson; Engelman, Rose C.; Fairchild, Byron (2000) [1964], Guarding the United States and its Outposts, United States Army in World War II, Washington, D.C.: Center of Military History, United States Army
  • Vasquez, Cesar A. "A History of the United States Caribbean Defense Command (1941-1947)." Florida International University, doctoral thesis (2016).

External links edit

  • Official website
  • Latin, Caribbean allies hail new U.S. Southern Command chief by John Yearwood, Miami Herald, 26 June 2009

united, states, southern, command, ussouthcom, located, doral, florida, greater, miami, eleven, unified, combatant, commands, united, states, department, defense, responsible, providing, contingency, planning, operations, security, cooperation, central, south,. The United States Southern Command USSOUTHCOM located in Doral Florida in Greater Miami is one of the eleven unified combatant commands in the United States Department of Defense It is responsible for providing contingency planning operations and security cooperation for Central and South America the Caribbean except U S commonwealths territories and possessions their territorial waters and for the force protection of U S military resources at these locations USSOUTHCOM is also responsible for ensuring the defense of the Panama Canal and the canal area 8 United States Southern CommandFounded11 June 1963 60 years 8 months ago Country United StatesTypeUnified combatant commandRoleGeographic combatant commandSize1 200 personnel 1 Part ofUnited States Department of DefenseHeadquartersDoral Florida U S EngagementsInvasion of Panama Operation New Horizons Operation Unified Response Operation Continuing Promise United States invasion of Grenada Operation Uphold Democracy Operation Secure TomorrowDecorationsOrder of San Carlos 2 Websitewww southcom milCommandersCommanderGeneral Laura J Richardson USA 3 Military Deputy CommanderVice Admiral Alvin Holsey USN 4 Civilian Deputy to the CommanderAmbassador Sarah Ann Lynch DOS 5 InsigniaDistinctive Unit InsigniaNATO Map Symbol 6 7 Unit Flag In this map SOUTHCOM Area of Responsibility is shown in green lettersUnder the leadership of a four star Commander USSOUTHCOM is organized into a headquarters with six main directorates component commands and military groups that represent SOUTHCOM in the region USSOUTHCOM is a joint command 9 of more than 1 201 military and civilian personnel representing the United States Army Navy Air Force Space Force Marine Corps Coast Guard and several other federal agencies Civilians working at USSOUTHCOM are for the most part civilian employees of the Army as the Army is USSOUTHCOM s Combatant Command Support Agent The Services provide USSOUTHCOM with component commands which along with their Joint Special Operations component two Joint Task Forces one Joint Interagency Task Force and Security Cooperation Offices perform USSOUTHCOM missions and security cooperation activities USSOUTHCOM exercises its authority through the commanders of its components Joint Task Forces Joint Interagency Task Force and Security Cooperation Organizations Contents 1 Area of Responsibility 2 Components 2 1 U S Army South Sixth Army 2 2 Air Forces Southern Twelfth Air Force 2 3 U S Naval Forces Southern Command amp U S Fourth Fleet 2 4 U S Marine Corps Forces South 2 5 Special Operations Command South 2 6 Joint Task Force Bravo 2 7 Joint Task Force Guantanamo 2 8 Joint Interagency Task Force South 3 Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief 4 History 5 State Partnership Program 6 Commanders 7 See also 8 References 9 Further reading 10 External linksArea of Responsibility edit nbsp SOUTHCOM Area of FocusThe USSOUTHCOM Area of Responsibility AOR encompasses 32 nations 19 in Central and South America and 13 in the Caribbean of which 31 are democracies and 14 U S and European territories As of October 2002 the area of focus covered 14 5 million square miles 23 2 million square kilometers 10 The United States Southern Command area of interest includes The land mass of Latin America south of Mexico The waters adjacent to Central and South America The Caribbean Sea its 12 island nations and European territories A portion of the Atlantic OceanComponents editUSSOUTHCOM accomplishes much of its mission through its service components four representing each service one specializing in Special Operations missions and three additional joint task forces 11 U S Army South Sixth Army edit nbsp United States Army South ARSOUTH forces include aviation intelligence communication and logistics units Located at Fort Sam Houston Texas it supports regional disaster relief and counter drug efforts ARSOUTH also exercises oversight planning and logistical support for humanitarian and civic assistance projects throughout the region in support of the USSOUTHCOM Theater Security Cooperation Strategy ARSOUTH provides Title 10 and Executive Agent responsibilities throughout the Latin American and Caribbean region In 2013 around four thousand troops were deployed in Latin America 12 Air Forces Southern Twelfth Air Force edit nbsp Main article Twelfth Air Force Located at Davis Monthan Air Force Base Arizona AFSOUTH consists of a staff a Falconer Combined Air and Space Operations Center for command and control of air activity in the USSOUTHCOM area and an Air Force operations group responsible for Air Force forces in the area AFSOUTH serves as the executive agent for forward operating locations provides joint combined radar surveillance architecture oversight provides intra theater airlift and supports USSOUTHCOM s Theater Security Cooperation Strategy through regional disaster relief exercises and counter drug operations AFSOUTH also provides oversight planning execution and logistical support for humanitarians and civic assistance projects and hosts a number of Airmen to Airmen conferences Twelfth Air Force is also leading the way in bringing the Chief of Staff of the Air Force s Warfighting Headquarters WFHQ concept to life The WFHQ is composed of a command and control element an Air Force forces staff and an Air Operations Center Operating as a WFHQ since June 2004 Twelfth Air Force has served as the Air Force model for the future of Combined Air and Space Operations Centers and WFHQ Air Force forces U S Naval Forces Southern Command amp U S Fourth Fleet edit nbsp U S Naval Forces Southern Command U S 4th Fleet official logos Main article U S Naval Forces Southern Command Located at Naval Station Mayport Florida USNAVSO exercises command and control over all U S naval operations in the USSOUTHCOM area including naval exercises maritime operations and port visits USNAVSO is also the executive agent for the operation of the cooperative security location at Comalapa El Salvador which provides basing in support of aerial counter narcoterrorism operations On 24 April 2008 Admiral Gary Roughead the Chief of Naval Operations announced that the United States Fourth Fleet would be re established effective 1 July responsible for U S Navy ships aircraft and submarines operating in the Caribbean Sea as well as Central and South America Rear Admiral Joseph D Kernan was named as the fleet commander and Commander U S Naval Forces Southern Command 13 Up to four ships are deployed in the waters in and around Latin American at any given time 12 U S Marine Corps Forces South edit nbsp Main article United States Marine Corps Forces South Located in Doral Florida USMARFORSOUTH commands all United States Marine Corps Forces MARFORs assigned to USSOUTHCOM advises USSOUTHCOM on the proper employment and support of MARFORs conducts deployment redeployment planning and execution of assigned attached MARFORs and accomplishes other operational missions as assigned Special Operations Command South edit nbsp nbsp Brigadier General Sean Mulholland SOCSOUTH Commander in 2014 honors 7th SFG A soldiers in HondurasLocated at Homestead Air Reserve Base near Miami Florida Special Operations Command South SOCSOUTH provides the primary theater contingency response force and plans prepares for and conducts special operations in support of USSOUTHCOM USSOCSOUTH controls all Special Operations Forces in the region and also establishes and operates a Joint Special Operations Task Force when required As a Theater Special Operations Command TSOC USSOCSOUTH is a sub unified command of USSOUTHCOM SOCSOUTH has five assigned or attached subordinate commands including Charlie Company 3rd Battalion 7th Special Forces Group Airborne 7th SFG A Charlie Company 3rd Battalion 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment Airborne Naval Special Warfare Unit FOUR 112th Signal Detachment SOCSOUTH and Joint Special Operations Air Component South There are also three task forces with specific missions in the region that report to U S Southern Command Joint Task Force Bravo edit nbsp Main article Joint Task Force Bravo Located at Soto Cano Air Base Honduras Joint Task Force JTF Bravo operates a forward all weather day night C 5 capable airbase JTF Bravo organizes multilateral exercises and supports in cooperation with partner nations humanitarian and civic assistance counter drug contingency and disaster relief operations in Central America Joint Task Force Guantanamo edit nbsp Main article Joint Task Force Guantanamo Located at U S Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Cuba JTF Guantanamo conducts detention and interrogation operations in support of the War on Terrorism coordinates and implements detainee screening operations and supports law enforcement and war crimes investigations as well as Military Commissions for Detained Enemy Combatants JTF Guantanamo is also prepared to support mass migration operations at Naval Station GTMO Joint Interagency Task Force South edit nbsp Main article Joint Interagency Task Force South Located in Key West Florida JIATF South is an interagency task force that serves as the catalyst for integrated and synchronized interagency counter drug operations and is responsible for the detection and monitoring of suspect air and maritime drug activity in the Caribbean Sea Gulf of Mexico and the eastern Pacific JIATF South also collects processes and disseminates counter drug information for interagency operations Manta Air Base was one of JIATF South s bases in Ecuador until 19 September 2009 14 Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief editUSSOUTHCOM s overseas humanitarian assistance and disaster relief programs build the capacity of host nations to respond to disasters and build their self sufficiency while also empowering regional organizations These programs provide valuable training to U S military units in responding effectively to assist the victims of storms earthquakes and other natural disasters through the provision of medical surgical dental and veterinary services as well as civil construction projects The Humanitarian Assistance Program funds projects that enhance the capacity of host nations to respond when disasters strike and better prepare them to mitigate acts of terrorism Humanitarian Assistance Program projects such as technical aid and the construction of disaster relief warehouses emergency operation centers shelters and schools promote peace and stability support the development of the civilian infrastructure necessary for economic and social reforms and improve the living conditions of impoverished regions in the AOR Humanitarian assistance exercises such as Exercise Nuevos Horizontes New Horizons involve the construction of schools clinics and water wells in countries throughout the region At the same time medical readiness exercises involving teams consisting of doctors nurses and dentists also provide general and specialized health services to host nation citizens requiring care These humanitarian assistance exercises which last several months each provide much needed services and infrastructure while providing critical training for deployed U S military forces These exercises generally take place in rural underprivileged areas USSOUTHCOM attempts to combine these efforts with those of host nation doctors either military or civilian to make them even more beneficial In 2006 USSOUTHCOM sponsored 69 Medical Readiness Training Exercises in 15 nations providing medical services to more than 270 000 citizens from the region During 2007 USSOUTHCOM is scheduled to conduct 61 additional medical exercises in 14 partner nations USSOUTHCOM sponsors disaster preparedness exercises seminars and conferences to improve the collective ability of the U S and its partner nations to respond effectively and expeditiously to disasters USSOUTHCOM has also supported the construction or improvement of three Emergency Operations Centers 13 Disaster Relief Warehouses and prepositioned relief supplies across the region Construction of eight additional Emergency Operation Centers and seven additional warehouses is ongoing This type of multinational disaster preparedness has proven to increase the ability of USSOUTHCOM to work with America s partner nations For example following the 2005 Hurricane Stan in Guatemala USSOUTHCOM deployed 11 military helicopters and 125 personnel to assist with relief efforts In conjunction with their Guatemalan counterparts they evacuated 48 victims and delivered nearly 200 tons of food medical supplies and communications equipment Following Tropical Storm Gamma in Honduras JTF Bravo deployed nine helicopters and more than 40 personnel to assist with relief efforts They airlifted more than 100 000 pounds of emergency food water and medical supplies USSOUTHCOM was deployed to Haiti following the 2010 Haiti earthquake to lead the humanitarian effort 15 USSOUTHCOM also conducts counter narcotics and counter narcoterrorism programs History editThe United States Southern Command USSOUTHCOM traces its origins to 1903 when the first U S Marines arrived in Panama to ensure U S control of the Panama Railroad connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans across the narrow waist of the Panamanian Isthmus 16 17 The Marines protected the Panamanian civilian uprising against the government of Colombia led by former Panama Canal Company general manager Philippe Jean Bunau Varilla thereby guaranteeing the separation of Panama from Colombia and his creation of the Panamanian state Following the signing of the Hay Bunau Varilla Treaty granting control of the Panama Canal Zone to the United States the Marines remained to provide security during the early construction days of the Panama Canal 16 In 1904 Army Colonel William C Gorgas was sent to the Canal Zone as it was then called as Chief Sanitary Officer to fight yellow fever and malaria In two years yellow fever was eliminated from the Canal Zone Soon after malaria was also brought under control With the appointment of Army Lieutenant Colonel George W Goethals to the post of chief engineer of the Isthmian Canal Commission by then President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907 the construction changed from a civilian to a military project 16 In 1911 the first troops of the U S Army s 10th Infantry Regiment arrived at Camp E S Otis on the Pacific side of the Isthmus They assumed primary responsibility for Canal defense In 1914 the Marine Battalion left the Isthmus to participate in operations against Pancho Villa in Mexico On 14 August 1914 seven years after Goethals arrival the Panama Canal opened to world commerce 16 The first company of coast artillery troops arrived in 1914 and later established fortifications at each end Atlantic and Pacific of the Canal as the Harbor Defenses HD of Cristobal and HD Balboa respectively with mobile forces of infantry and light artillery centrally located to support either end By 1915 a consolidated command was designated as Headquarters U S Troops Panama Canal Zone The command reported directly to the Army s Eastern Department headquartered at Fort Jay Governors Island New York The headquarters of this newly created command was first located in the Isthmian Canal Commission building in the town of Ancon adjacent to Panama City It relocated in 1916 to the nearby newly designated military post of Quarry Heights which had begun construction in 1911 16 On 1 July 1917 almost three months after the American entry into World War I the Panama Canal Department was activated as a geographic command of the U S Army It remained as the senior Army headquarters in the region until activation of the Caribbean Defense Command CDC on 10 February 1941 The CDC co located at Quarry Heights was commanded by Lieutenant General Daniel Van Voorhis who continued to command the Panama Canal Department 16 The new command eventually assumed operational responsibility over air and naval forces assigned in its area of operations during World War II which included all U S forces and bases in the Caribbean basin outside the continental United States By early 1942 a Joint Operations Center had been established at Quarry Heights Meanwhile 960 jungle trained officers and enlisted men from the CDC deployed to New Caledonia in the southwest Pacific to help form the 5307th Composite Unit Provisional codenamed Galahad and later nicknamed Merrill s Marauders for its famous exploits in Burma 18 In the meantime military strength in the area was gradually rising and reached its peak in January 1943 when 68 000 personnel were defending the Panama Canal Military strength was sharply reduced with the termination of World War II Between 1946 and 1974 total military strength in Panama fluctuated between 6 600 and 20 300 with the lowest force strength in 1959 In December 1946 President Harry S Truman approved recommendations of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for a comprehensive system of military commands to put responsibility for conducting military operations of all military forces in various geographical areas in the hands of a single commander Although the Caribbean Command was designated by the Defense Department on 1 November 1947 it did not become fully operational until 10 March 1948 when the old Caribbean Defense Command was inactivated 16 On 6 June 1963 reflecting the fact that the command had a responsibility for U S military operations primarily in Central and South America rather than in the Caribbean President John F Kennedy and Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara formally redesignated it as the United States Southern Command 16 The command s mission began to shift with the expansion of the Cold War to Latin America Kennedy and his successor Lyndon B Johnson expanded the division in the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis and reoriented it towards irregular warfare against the establishment of another Communist state in the Western Hemisphere 19 From 1975 until late 1994 total military strength in Panama remained at about 10 000 personnel 16 In January 1996 and June 1997 two phases of changes to the Department of Defense Unified Command Plan UCP were completed Each phase of the UCP change added territory to SOUTHCOM s area of responsibility The impact of the changes is significant The new AOR includes the Caribbean its 13 island nations and several U S and European territories the Gulf of Mexico as well as significant portions of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans The 1999 update to the UCP also transferred responsibility of an additional portion of the Atlantic Ocean to SOUTHCOM On 1 October 2000 Southern Command assumed responsibility of the adjacent waters in the upper quadrant above Brazil which was presently under the responsibility of U S Joint Forces Command 16 The new AOR encompasses 32 nations 19 in Central and South America and 13 in the Caribbean of which 31 are democracies and 14 U S and European territories covering more than 15 600 000 square miles 40 000 000 km2 16 With the creation of the United States Department of Homeland Security USSOUTHCOM Area of Responsibility October 2002 experienced minor upper boundary redistribution or changes decreasing its total boundary by 1 1 square miles 14 5 million square miles 23 2 million square kilometers With the implementation of the Panama Canal Treaties the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 and the Treaty concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operations of the Panama Canal the U S Southern Command was relocated in Miami Florida on 26 September 1997 16 A new headquarters building was constructed and opened in 2010 adjacent to the old rented building in the Doral area of Miami Dade County The complex features state of the art planning and conference facilities This capability is showcased in the 45 000 square foot Conference Center of the Americas which can support meetings of differing classification levels and multiple translations information sources and video conferencing In 2012 as many as a dozen SouthCom service members together with a number of Secret Service officers were disciplined after they were found to have brought prostitutes to their rooms shortly before President Obama arrived for a summit in Cartagena Colombia According to the Associated Press seven Army soldiers and two Marines received administrative punishments for what an official report cited by the wire service said was misconduct consisting almost exclusively of patronizing prostitutes and adultery Hiring prostitutes the report added is a violation of the U S military code of justice 20 In 2014 SouthCom commander Kelly testified that while border security was an Existential threat to the country due to Budget sequestration in 2013 his forces were unable to respond to 75 of illicit trafficking events 21 USSOUTHCOM s 2017 2027 Theater Strategy states that potential challenges in the future include transregional and transnational threat networks T3Ns which include traditional criminal organizations as well as the expanding potential of extremist organizations such as ISIL and Hezbollah operating in the region by taking advantage of weak Caribbean and Latin American institutions USSOUTHCOM also notes that the region is extremely vulnerable to natural disasters and the outbreak of infectious diseases due to issues with governance and inequality Finally the report recognizes the growing presence of China Iran and Russia in the region and that the intentions of these nations bring a challenge to every nation that values nonaggression rule of law and respect for human rights These challenges have been used to promote relationships between the United States and other governments in the region 22 State Partnership Program editMain article State Partnership Program US SOUTHCOM currently has 22 state partnerships under the state partnership program SPP SPP creates a partnership between a state of the U S and a foreign nation by linking the host nation military or security forces with the National Guard SOUTHCOM is equaled only by EUCOM in its number of partnerships Commanders edit nbsp Admiral Craig S Faller commander U S Southern Command Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and Admiral Kurt W Tidd outgoing commander share the stage during the SOUTHCOM change of command ceremony on 26 November 2018 The U S Southern Command was activated in 1963 emerging from the U S Caribbean Command established in 1947 Last commander of the U S Caribbean Command from January 1961 to June 1963 and first commander of the U S Southern Command since June 1963 was Lieutenant General later General Andrew P O Meara 23 No Commander Term Service branchPortrait Name Took office Left office Term length1 nbsp Crittenberger Willis D Lieutenant GeneralWillis D Crittenberger 1890 1980 November 1947June 1948 213 days nbsp U S Army2 nbsp Ridgway Matthew B Lieutenant GeneralMatthew B Ridgway 1895 1993 June 1948October 1949 1 year 122 days nbsp U S Army3 nbsp Morris Jr William H H Lieutenant GeneralWilliam H H Morris Jr 1890 1971 October 1949April 1952 2 years 183 days nbsp U S Army4 nbsp McBride Horace L Lieutenant GeneralHorace L McBride 1894 1962 April 1952June 1954 2 years 61 days nbsp U S Army5 nbsp Harrison Jr William K Lieutenant GeneralWilliam K Harrison Jr 1895 1987 June 1954January 1957 2 years 214 days nbsp U S Army6 nbsp Montague Robert M Lieutenant GeneralRobert M Montague 1899 1958 January 1957February 1958 1 year 31 days nbsp U S Army7 nbsp Gaither Ridgely Lieutenant GeneralRidgely Gaither 1903 1992 April 1958July 1960 2 years 91 days nbsp U S Army8 nbsp Sink Robert F Lieutenant GeneralRobert F Sink 1905 1965 July 1960January 1961 184 days nbsp U S Army9 nbsp O Meara Andrew GeneralAndrew P O Meara 1907 2005 6 January 196122 February 19654 years 47 days nbsp U S Army10 nbsp Porter Robert GeneralRobert W Porter Jr 1908 2000 22 February 196518 February 19693 years 362 days nbsp U S Army11 nbsp Mather George GeneralGeorge R Mather 1911 1993 18 February 196920 September 19712 years 214 days nbsp U S Army12 nbsp Underwood George GeneralGeorge V Underwood Jr 1913 1984 20 September 197117 January 19731 year 119 days nbsp U S Army13 nbsp Rosson William GeneralWilliam B Rosson 1918 2004 17 January 19731 August 19752 years 196 days nbsp U S Army14 nbsp McAuliffe Dennis Lieutenant GeneralDennis P McAuliffe1 August 19751 October 19794 years 61 days nbsp U S Army15 nbsp Nutting Wallace Lieutenant GeneralWallace H Nutting born 1928 1 October 197924 May 19833 years 235 days nbsp U S Army16 nbsp Gorman Paul GeneralPaul F Gorman born 1927 24 May 19831 March 19851 year 281 days nbsp U S Army17 nbsp Galvin John GeneralJohn R Galvin 1929 2015 1 March 19856 June 19872 years 97 days nbsp U S Army18 nbsp Woerner Frederick GeneralFrederick F Woerner Jr 1933 2023 6 June 19871 October 19892 years 117 days nbsp U S Army19 nbsp Thurman Maxwell GeneralMaxwell R Thurman 1931 1995 1 October 198921 November 19901 year 51 days nbsp U S Army20 nbsp Joulwan George GeneralGeorge A Joulwan born 1939 21 November 1990October 1993 2 years 314 days nbsp U S Army nbsp Worthington W Major GeneralWalter T WorthingtonActingOctober 199317 February 1994 139 days nbsp U S Air Force21 nbsp McCaffrey Barry GeneralBarry McCaffrey born 1942 17 February 19941 March 19962 years 13 days nbsp U S Army nbsp Perkins James Rear AdmiralJames PerkinsActing1 March 199626 June 1996117 days nbsp U S Navy22 nbsp Clark Wesley GeneralWesley Clark born 1944 26 June 199613 July 19971 year 17 days nbsp U S Army nbsp Doran Walter F Rear AdmiralWalter F Doran born 1945 Acting13 July 199725 September 199774 days nbsp U S Navy23 nbsp Wilhelm Charles GeneralCharles E Wilhelm born 1941 25 September 19978 September 20002 years 349 days nbsp U S Marine Corps24 nbsp Pace Peter GeneralPeter Pace born 1945 8 September 200030 September 20011 year 22 days nbsp U S Marine Corps nbsp Speer Gary Major GeneralGary D SpeerActing30 September 200118 August 2002322 days nbsp U S Army25 nbsp Hill James GeneralJames T Hill born 1946 18 August 20029 November 20042 years 83 days nbsp U S Army26 nbsp Craddock Bantz GeneralBantz J Craddock born 1949 9 November 200419 October 20061 year 344 days nbsp U S Army27 nbsp Stavridis James AdmiralJames G Stavridis born 1955 19 October 200625 June 20092 years 249 days nbsp U S Navy28 nbsp Fraser Douglas GeneralDouglas M Fraser born 1953 25 June 200919 November 20123 years 147 days nbsp U S Air Force29 nbsp Kelly John GeneralJohn F Kelly born 1950 19 November 201214 January 20163 years 56 days nbsp U S Marine Corps30 nbsp Tidd Kurt AdmiralKurt W Tidd born 1956 14 January 201626 November 20182 years 316 days nbsp U S Navy31 nbsp Faller Craig AdmiralCraig S Faller born 1961 26 November 201829 October 20212 years 337 days nbsp U S Navy32 nbsp Richardson Laura GeneralLaura J Richardson born 1963 29 October 2021Incumbent2 years 106 days nbsp U S ArmySee also edit nbsp Florida portalCaribbean Regional Maritime Agreement Manta Air Base Operation Coronet Nighthawk Operation Enduring Freedom Caribbean and Central America Partnership for Prosperity and Security in the Caribbean Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation formerly School of the Americas Naval Base Panama Canal ZoneReferences edit About USSOUTHCOM U S Southern Command Retrieved 30 April 2023 Colombian President Visits Thanks Southcom for its Support DoD dated 2018 last accessed 25 April 2018 Gen Laura J Richardson U S Southern Command Retrieved 30 April 2023 Vice Adm Alvin Holsey U S Southern Command Retrieved 30 April 2023 Amb Sarah Ann Lynch U S Southern Command Retrieved 13 January 2024 FM 1 02 Operational Terms and Graphics PDF US Army 21 September 2004 pp 5 36 ADP 1 02 Terms and Military Symbols PDF US Army 14 August 2018 pp 4 8 About Us U S Southern Command Retrieved 28 November 2021 See TITLE 10 gt Subtitle A gt PART I gt CHAPTER 6 gt 164 for assignment powers and duties 1 Archived 14 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine SOUTHCOM Component Commands amp Units U S Southern Command Retrieved 28 November 2021 a b martha Mendoza 3 February 2013 Military expands its drug war in Latin America Army Times Associated Press Retrieved 7 February 2013 News Release View Navy Re Establishes U S Fourth Fleet DOD New Release No 338 07 24 April 2008 Defenselink mil Retrieved 18 October 2017 Last US forces abandon Manta military base in Ecuador DEn mercopress com Retrieved 18 October 2017 2 Archived 17 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine a b c d e f g h i j k l U S Southern Command History USSOUTHCOM 11 September 2006 Archived from the original on 17 October 2008 Retrieved 1 February 2017 U S Army South A Brief History MERRILL S MARAUDERS ASSOCIATION WELCOME PAGE www marauder org Collins N W 2021 Grey wars a contemporary history of U S special operations New Haven ISBN 978 0 300 25834 9 OCLC 1255527666 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint location missing publisher link Report Colombian prostitute scandal involved military Content usatoday com Retrieved 18 October 2017 O Toole Molly 5 July 2014 Top General Says Mexico Border Security Now Existential Threat to U S Defenseone com National Journal Group Inc Retrieved 16 July 2014 2017 2027 Theater Strategy PDF USSOUTHCOM 4 April 2017 Archived from the original PDF on 22 June 2017 Retrieved 25 July 2017 A Half Century of Service SOUTHCOM PDF USSOUTHCOM 2013 Retrieved 12 November 2017 Further reading editConn Stetson Engelman Rose C Fairchild Byron 2000 1964 Guarding the United States and its Outposts United States Army in World War II Washington D C Center of Military History United States Army Vasquez Cesar A A History of the United States Caribbean Defense Command 1941 1947 Florida International University doctoral thesis 2016 External links editOfficial website Latin Caribbean allies hail new U S Southern Command chief by John Yearwood Miami Herald 26 June 2009 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title United States Southern Command amp oldid 1205961792, 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