Colombian Army Lancero Soldiers provide the history of the Lancero during the opening ceremony of Exercise Southern Vanguard 23 on Nov. 8, 2022 at Tolemaida Military Base, Colombia. Exercise Southern Vanguard is U.S. Army South's premier training exercise taking place at the operational and tactical levels intended to increase interoperability between the United States and Western Hemisphere forces. This year's iteration, Exercise Southern Vanguard 23, involves Soldiers from U.S. Army South and the U.S. Army National Guard training alongside Colombian Army soldiers in varying terrain while conducting weapon familiarization lanes culminating in a bilateral military training operation. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Alan Brutus)

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Rodney Boyd, Assistant Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, passes the Combined Task Force (CTF) guidon to the CTF commander during the opening ceremony of Exercise Southern Vanguard 23 on Nov. 8, 2022 at Tolemaida Military Base, Colombia. Exercise Southern Vanguard is U.S. Army South's premier training exercise taking place at the operational and tactical levels intended to increase interoperability between the United States and Western Hemisphere forces. This year's iteration, Exercise Southern Vanguard 23, involves Soldiers from U.S. Army South and the U.S. Army National Guard training alongside Colombian Army soldiers in varying terrain while conducting weapon familiarization lanes culminating in a bilateral military training operation. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Alan Brutus)