UNITAS 2024
The Chilean navy hosts this year's UNITAS, which features 17 vessels, 2 submarines, 20 aircraft and more than 4,300 personnel from 24 partner nations. Forces will conduct operations in Chile through Sept. 12.
South American Defense Conference (SOUTHDEC) 2024
In Chile Aug. 27-29, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Charles Q. Brown, and Gen. Laura Richardson joined with senior South American defense leaders to discuss leveraging new technologies to help confront regional threats.
Continuing Promise 2024
Military personnel on USNS Burlington are deployed to the Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen partnerships, provide health and veterinary care, share expertise, support engineering projects and bolster disaster relief collaboration.
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.

LATEST NEWS AND RELEASES

U.S. Marines launch UNITAS LXV in Chile with 24 Nations
U.S. and Chilean Marines introduce themselves at Destacamento de Infanteria Marina Number 4 (Chilean Marine Detachment Number 4) “Cochrane”,, Chile, during exercise UNITAS LXV, Sep. 2, 2024. The Marines split into two integrated teams led by Chilean officers and U.S. staff-noncommissioned officers during the exercise to facilitate the bilateral training and lateral knowledge exchanges that will occur between nations. By working together with allies and partners, Marines amass the greatest possible strength for the long-term advancement of their interests, maintaining favorable balances of power that deter aggression and support the stability that supports economic growth. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Gabriel Durand)
Sept. 6, 2024 - U.S. Marine Corps forces joined with 24 other nations to commence UNITAS LXV, the 65th iteration of the world’s longest-running multinational maritime exercise here on Sept. 2, 2024. UNITAS is an annual exercise conducted in either the Atlantic or Pacific waters around Central America and South America. UNITAS brings like-minded Allies and partners from around the world to strengthen relationships, enhance interoperability and facilitate collective defense and global security.
Texas Guard, Chilean Medics Train Together at Southern Fenix
Texas Army National Guard and Chilean army soldiers carry a litter off a U.S. UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter while conducting medical evacuation training during Southern Fenix 24 at Campo Militar Pozo Almonte, Chile, Aug. 29, 2024.
Sept. 3, 2024 - Over 600 troops from the Chilean, Argentine and U.S. armies are training together at the inaugural multinational military exercise from Aug. 27 to Sept. 5 to increase interoperability in a desert environment.
UNITAS LXV Begins in Valparaiso, Chile
UNITAS LXV commenced today in Valparaiso, Chile, with 17 ships, two submarines, and 23 aircraft operated and supported by more than 4,300 Sailors and Marines from 24 nations. UNITAS is the world's longest-running multinational maritime exercise, conceived in 1959 and executed without fail since 1960.
Sept. 2, 2024 - Navy and Marine forces arrived in Valparaiso in support of UNITAS LXV (65), the world’s longest-running multinational maritime exercise in the world, which officially commenced September 2, 2024. The Chilean navy is hosting this year's UNITAS, which will feature 17 warships/vessels, two submarines, 20 aircraft (fixed wing/helicopter), and more than 4,300 personnel from 24 partner nations. Forces will conduct operations off the coast of Valparaiso, Chile, and ashore in the vicinity of Puerto Aldea, Chile, through September 12.
South American Defense Leaders Meet in Chile to Discuss Regional Threats, Cooperation
Multinational senior leader participants of the South American Defense Conference 2024 (SOUTHDEC 24), pose for a group photo in Santiago, Chile, Aug. 28, 2024. U.S. Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), joined defense leaders from 10 nations to discuss security challenges and regional cooperation during SOUTHDEC 24, hosted by Chile Aug. 27-29, 2024. (Photo by U.S. Southern Command)
Aug. 29, 2024 - Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, and Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), joined regional defense leaders in Chile to discuss security challenges and regional cooperation during the South American Defense Conference 2024 (SOUTHDEC 24) Aug. 27-29.
Brown, Southcom Commander Call for Harnessing AI, Developing Space Domain to Meet Future Challenges
Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delivers opening remarks during the South American Defense Conference 2024 in Santiago, Chile, Aug. 28, 2024.
Aug. 28, 2024 - Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., and Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, emphasized the need for allied and partner nations and their militaries to harness artificial intelligence.
Southern Fenix 24: US, Chile, Argentina deploy more than 600 to enhance interoperability
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Alfonso Cruz, a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System Crewmember assigned to 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment, 75th Field Artillery Brigade, checks the boom on an M142 HIMARS during Southern Fenix 24, a multinational exercise focused on enhancing interoperability for multi-domain operations in the Atacama Desert of Chile Aug. 27 to Sept. 5, 2024.
Aug. 28, 2024 - More than 600 military personnel from the Chilean, Argentinian, and the United States armies are set to participate in Exercise Southern Fenix 24, a multinational exercise focused on enhancing interoperability for multi-domain operations in the Atacama Desert of Chile from Aug. 27 to Sept. 5, 2024.
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PHOTOS

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Lofgren observes flight operations during UNITAS LXV
Deputy commander for Marine Forces South and Marine Forces Reserve visits Expeditionary Advanced Base North: UNITAS 2024
U.S. Marine F/A-18s with VMFA-112 and KC-130J with VMGR-234 support UNITAS LXV
U.S. Marine F/A-18s with VMFA-112 and KC-130J with VMGR-234 support UNITAS LXV
Multinational Force UNITAS leaders receive mission update brief during Exercise UNITAS LXV
Multinational Force UNITAS leaders receive mission update brief during Exercise UNITAS LXV
A look at Department of Defense support to the Haiti airport security and Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission preparation efforts, as of Sept. 6, 2024.
A person stands atop a armored vehicle.
Group photo of multinational military personnel.
A military officer speaks from a podium.
Military personnel sit around a table for a discussion.
Light Armored Vehicles Joint Live Fire Range: UNITAS 2024
U.S. Marines set up Expeditionary Advance Base with Chilean counterparts during Exercise UNITAS 2024
U.S. Marines set up Expeditionary Advance Base with Chilean counterparts during Exercise UNITAS 2024
U.S. Marines set up Expeditionary Advance Base with Chilean counterparts during Exercise UNITAS 2024
U.S. and Chilean Marine Leadership Receive Commanders Update Brief: UNITAS LXV
UNITAS 2024 Opening Ceremony
An overhead group shot of dozens of military personnel on a ship.
A military officer speaks from a podium.
Rear Adm. Rich Lofgren, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet Deputy Commander, greets the multinational delegation of UNITAS LXV along with Chilean Navy Vice Adm. Claudio Maldonado, Chilean Commander of Naval Operations, at the exercise's opening ceremony onboard ARC Sargento Aldea, pierside in Valparaiso, Chile, Sept. 2, 2024. UNITAS LXV commenced today in Valparaiso, Chile, with 17 ships, two submarines, and 23 aircraft operated and supported by more than 4,300 Sailors and Marines from 24 nations. UNITAS is the world's longest-running multinational maritime exercise, conceived in 1959 and executed without fail since 1960.
Military personnel sit at a table and sign documents.
A military person speaks a podium.
A military person speaks a podium.
Military personnel sit in chairs for a discussion.
A group photo of multinational military personnel.
Group photo of military personnel.
Southern Fenix 24: US, Chile, Argentina deploy over 600 to enhance interoperability
Southern Fenix 24: US, Chile, Argentina deploy over 600 to enhance interoperability
U.S., Chilean army staff talks reinforce partnership with signing of agreed-to-action
U.S., Chilean army staff talks reinforce partnership with signing of agreed-to-action
A look at Department of Defense support to the Haiti airport security and Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission preparation efforts, as of Aug. 20, 2024.
Bales of illegal narcotics, worth an estimated $50 million, are staged for an offload by crew members of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba (WMEC 907) in Port Everglades, Florida, Aug. 23, 2024. Escanaba's crew worked alongside an embarked Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron aircrew, Law Enforcement Detachment 107 from Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team Pacific, and interagency and international partners to interdict illicit narcotics in the international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Rodriguez)
The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba pose with more than 3,400 pounds of cocaine and 4,410 pounds of marijuana with a combined assessed street value of approximately $50 million in Port Everglades, Florida, Aug. 23, 2024. Escanaba's crew worked alongside an embarked Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron aircrew, Law Enforcement Detachment 107 from Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team Pacific, and interagency and international partners to interdict illicit narcotics in the international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Rodriguez)
A U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba (WMEC 907) boat crew destroys a go-fast vessel interdicted in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, July 28, 2024. The crew of USCGC Escanaba offloaded more than 3,400 pounds of cocaine and 4,410 pounds of marijuana with a combined assessed street value of approximately $50 million in Port Everglades, Florida, Aug. 23, 2024. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nadia Sands)
Military vehicles are lined in a row.
Military personnel unload a vehicle from a military transport aircraft.
A pilot flies an aircraft.
Military personnel unload a vehicle from a military transport aircraft.
Military personnel stand in a transport aircraft with a vehicle.
A Coast Guard law enforcement detachment crew detains suspected smugglers on a vessel in the Caribbean Sea, Aug. 8, 2024. This interdiction resulted in a drug offload worth more than $14 million. (Photo by HMS Trent crew)
Lt. Cmdr. Kami Tabor, right, speaks to a Colombian navy sailor during a Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) roundtable aboard USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) during a Continuing Promise stop in Cartagena, Colombia.
Bales of cocaine stacked on a pier at Base Miami Beach on August 14, 2024. This offload was the result of drug interdiction efforts by Coast Guard and Navy crews in the international waters of Caribbean. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
A crew member of the Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered carries a bale of cocaine to shore for destruction at Base Miami Beach on August 14, 2024. Once ashore custody of interdicted narcotics are transferred to partner agencies. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
Suspected drug smugglers standing on top of a sinking vessel approximately 90 miles south of Haiti on July 24, 2024. The USS St. Louis launched a small boat crew to rescue the suspected smugglers after their vessel capsized. (Courtesy photo)
Exercise PANAMAX 2024 begins, US Army South hosts 11 nations at Fort Sam Houston for major multinational exercise
Exercise PANAMAX 2024 begins, US Army South hosts 11 nations at Fort Sam Houston for major multinational exercise
Exercise PANAMAX 2024 begins, US Army South hosts 11 nations at Fort Sam Houston for major multinational exercise
Exercise PANAMAX 2024 begins, US Army South hosts 11 nations at Fort Sam Houston for major multinational exercise
Exercise participants from Peru, Brazil, Argentina and U.S. conduct multinational operations during PANAMAX 2024 on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. Aug. 8, 2024. 11 partner nations to include, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Panama, Mexico, Peru, Paraguay, and El Salvador make up the Combined Forces Air Component Command for this year’s PANAMAX.
U.S. and partner Air Forces conduct multinational operations during PANAMAX 2024 on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. Aug. 8, 2024. The U.S. Southern Command-sponsored, multinational, biennial command post exercise aimed at reinforcing and enhancing the long-term security of the Panama Canal and the Western Hemisphere.

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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.

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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.