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Army South commanding general visits key leaders In Honduras
March 4, 2022 — Maj. Gen. William L. Thigpen, U.S. Army South commanding general (left), meets with the Honduran Armed Forces Chief of Defense Rear Adm. José Fortín Aguilar (right), on March 2, 2022. During the visit, Maj. Gen. Thigpen also conducted key leader engagements with Chargé d’ Affaires Colleen Hoey, the Honduran Army Commander Col. Dennis McCoy Martín; and visited the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa, the Honduran Army Commander Headquarters, Joint Task Force-Bravo and the Joint Interagency Operations Center. Our defense partnerships are vital to security and prosperity in the hemisphere and to our collective ability to meet complex global challenges... MORE

Maj. Gen. William L. Thigpen, U.S. Army South commanding general (left), meets with the Honduran Armed Forces Chief of Defense Rear Adm. José Fortín Aguilar (right), on March 2, 2022. During the visit, Maj. Gen. Thigpen also conducted key leader engagements with Chargé d’ Affaires Colleen Hoey, the Honduran Army Commander Col. Dennis McCoy Martín; and visited the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa, the Honduran Army Commander Headquarters, Joint Task Force-Bravo and the Joint Interagency Operations Center. Our defense partnerships are vital to security and prosperity in the hemisphere and to our collective ability to meet complex global challenges.

JTF-Bravo participates in CEPREDENAC's II Regional Drill
February 14, 2022 — Guatemala City, Guatemala – Service members with Joint Task Force-Bravo joined the Coordination Center for Disaster Prevention in Central America and the Dominican Republic’s II Regional Drill in Guatemala City, Jan 31 - Feb 4, to strengthen regional disaster readiness and coordination. Participants also included the National Committee for the Reduction of Disasters (CONRED) as well as Civil Protection and Disaster Risk Management entities from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and the Dominican Republic. Together, all participating nations learned from each other’s capabilities to prepare for potential disaster in the region where an international response may be needed... MORE

Guatemala City, Guatemala - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jacob Reeves, the Joint Task Force-Bravo chief of staff, center, receives an award from Alejandro Eduardo Giammattei Falla, the President of Guatemala, during the closing ceremony of the Coordination Center for Natural Disaster Prevention in Central America and Dominican Republic (CEPREDENAC) II Regional Humanitarian Assistance Drill in Guatemala City, Guatemala, Feb. 4, 2022. JTF-Bravo participated in the CEPREDENAC drill through observation and an aerial firefighting exercise to build partnerships and coordination during natural disasters in the joint operating area.

Army South conducts rehearsal of concept mass migration drill
January 26, 2022 — JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas – U.S. Army South conducted a rehearsal of concept drill Jan. 19-20 based on a Caribbean mass migration scenario designed to ensure the team is ready to support a U.S. Government response if called upon. Army South, the Army Service Component Command to U.S. Southern Command, hosted the event which included participants from other military services and U.S. Government agencies. U.S. Army South Commander, Maj. Gen. William Thigpen, opened the rehearsal by emphasizing that a potential mass migration event entails a whole of government effort to execute while also highlighting the importance of speed and critical time factors needed for a response. The concept drill, simulating a deployment to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, provided feedback for all aspects of the operation; from command and control, to logistics and engineering, to essential services and support, including medical needs, food, water, and shelter to support migrants stranded at sea. The effort to accomplish a mission of this nature takes teamwork according to Army South Assistant Chief of Staff for Engineering, Col. Frank Hopkins III. MORE

U.S. Army South Commanding General, Maj. Gen. William Thigpen, speaks at a migrant operation rehearsal of concept drill at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Jan. 20, 2022. Army South, the Army Service Component Command to U.S. Southern Command, hosted the event, which simulated a deployment to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to provide feedback for all aspects of the operation.

470th Military Intelligence Soldier joins the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club
January 25, 2022 — JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO - FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas – Staff Sgt. Kevin Sims Jr., the training non-commissioned officer in charge of information and intelligence analysis with the 470th Military Intelligence Brigade, was recently inducted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club for his outstanding leadership and performance here at the U.S. Army South Headquarters. MORE

U.S. Army Soldier, Staff Sgt. Kevin Sims, training non-commissioned officer in charge of information and intelligence analysis with the 470th Military Intelligence Brigade, stands in front of the U.S. Army South Headquarters at Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Jan. 12, 2022. Sims was inducted into the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club for his outstanding performance and leadership as a non-commissioned officer. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Joshua Taeckens)

Chilean Army Partner Nation Liaison Officer Receives Award
January 11, 2022 — Col. Jorge Salinas, the Chilean Army partner nation liaison officer at U.S. Army South, receives an award from Maj. Gen. William L. Thigpen, Army South commanding general, during an award ceremony recognizing his two years at the command on January 7, 2022... MORE

Col. Jorge Salinas, the Chilean Army partner nation liaison officer at U.S. Army South, receives an award from Maj. Gen. William L. Thigpen, Army South commanding general, during an award ceremony recognizing his two years at the command on January 7, 2022.

U.S. and Brazilian Pathfinders cross paths again at Southern Vanguard 22
December 17, 2021 — RESENDE, Brazil – As the sun set at the Agulhas Negras Military Academy in Resende, Brazil, Staff Sgt. Shayne Hayes readied his gear for another night in the elements. Hills, mountains, rivers and swamps surround him as he prepared for an early morning mock-raid of an urban town during Southern Vanguard 22, a combined air assault exercise with the U.S. and Brazilian armies. MORE

U.S. Army Soldier Staff Sgt. Shane Hayes, weapons squad leader with Bulldog Company, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) stands with his weapon during Exercise Southern Vanguard 22 in Resende, Brazil, Dec. 11, 2021. U.S. and Brazilian Army soldiers took part in the air assault exercise, which was the largest deployment of a U.S Army unit to train with the Brazilian Army forces in Brazil. (U.S Army photo by Pfc. Joshua Taeckens)

Bilateral military exercise Southern Vanguard 22 begins in Brazil
December 7, 2021 — LORENA, BRAZIL -- U.S. and Brazilian Army soldiers kicked off Southern Vanguard 22 during opening ceremonies in Lorena, Brazil Dec. 6. Southern Vanguard is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored, U.S. Army South-conducted exercise at the operational and tactical levels designed to increase interoperability between U.S. and Western Hemisphere forces. “Southern Vanguard 22 builds upon a partnership between Brazil and the U.S., and we aim to continue this exercise until at least 2028,” said Maj. Gen. William Thigpen, Army South commanding general. “It is important that we execute this mission because in the event of a humanitarian crisis or natural disaster, we’ll already have the experience working alongside the Brazilian forces, and we have that established trust and respect.” More than 1,000 soldiers will participate in the 10-day exercise, including forces from Brazil’s 5th Battalion, 12th Infantry Brigade; U.S. Army South; and 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) to conduct joint tactical training. Southern Vanguard is a rotating exercise that Army South conducts with partner nations in Central and South America, and the ultimate goal is to establish a multinational exercise which will improve readiness, security and interoperability in the Western Hemisphere. The first iteration of Southern Vanguard took place in Chile in August 2021 with participating units from the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division and Chilean Army’s 3rd Mountain Division. The U.S. Army history of cooperation with Brazil dates back to World War II, where the Brazilian army sent a division-sized element to fight beside the U.S. Fifth Army and was the only Latin American force to participate in the Allied campaign. While the partnership between the U.S. and Brazilian armies is strong, Southern Vanguard 22 is the largest U.S. element to conduct combined training with Brazil since WWII. “This exercise has been in the making since October of 2020, and it could only happen with the combined staff planning of Army South and our Brazilian counterparts,” said Maj. Milton Maddox, Army South’s lead planning officer of Exercise Southern Vanguard 22. “Both of our nations understand the complexities of an operation of this scale and nature, and in our planning, we worked to understand how each other operate to ensure mission success.” Both U.S. and Brazilian armed forces view the exercise as an opportunity to enhance tactical capabilities and operational readiness to be able to respond rapidly in support of regional partners – but most importantly, strengthening the relationship between the two armies. “Our armies have a rich history together, and Southern Vanguard 22 is just one more way to strengthen the partnership that was sampled in World War II,” said Brazilian army soldier, Sgt. Victor Rodrigues, combat training center observer, controller, and trainer. “Exercises like this fortify regional security because our forces learn how to operate as one.” ... MORE

Brazilian army soldiers assigned to 5th Light Infantry Battalion stand in formation during the opening ceremony of Southern Vanguard 22 in Lorena Brazil, Dec. 6 2021. Southern Vanguard 22 was planned as a 10-day air assault operation and was the largest deployment of a U.S. Army unit to train with the Brazilian army forces in Brazil. (U.S Army photo by Pfc. Joshua Taeckens)

U.S. Army engineer capabilities on display for Brazilian Army delegation
December 1, 2021 — Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations are often engineer-intensive. In such cases, U.S. Army South and its partners in the Western Hemisphere may opt to provide extensive military engineer support to civilian authorities. It is critical to establish theater security cooperation in the area of military engineering to enable this assistance. ... MORE

U.S. Army Soldiers with the 299th Multi-Role Bridge Company set up an improved ribbon bridge system during a capabilities demonstration

Texas trip provides Peruvian Army delegation increased opportunities for interoperability, strengthen relationships
November 23, 2021 — Emerging threats posed by narcotrafficking networks and the destructive aftermath of natural disasters has created security challenges for many nations in the Western Hemisphere. In an effort to defuse the threats and enhance security in the region, U.S. Army South’s engagements with strategic partners, such as the Peruvian Army, has provided opportunities to build stronger relationships... MORE

Brig. Gen. Carlos Bojorquez, Peruvian Army 1st Multipurpose Brigade commander, right, is given a briefing on the capabilities of the M1126 Infantry Carrier Vehicle Stryker from a trooper assigned to 3rd Squadron, 3d Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas, Nov. 17, 2021. The Peruvian Army delegation observed the 3d Cavalry Regiment Strykers as part of an agreed-to-action deriving from the U.S.-Peruvian Army-to-Army Staff Talks.

Peruvian Army delegation observes III Corps Stryker unit with U.S. Army South
November 18, 2021 — Brig. Gen. Carlos E. Bojorquez, left, 1st Multipurpose Brigade commander, Peruvian Army, talks to a U.S. Army Soldier while observing the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment conduct a platoon-level live fire and litter carry exercise at Fort Hood, Texas, Nov. 17, 2021. U.S. Army South Security Cooperation Directorate personnel escorted the Peruvian Army delegation to Fort Hood to observe U.S. Army Stryker units as part of an agreed-to-action deriving from the U.S.-Peruvian Army-to-Army Staff Talks. Army South is committed to supporting the efforts of partner nations to increase institutional capacity and regional collaboration... MORE

Brig. Gen. Carlos E. Bojorquez, left, 1st Multipurpose Brigade commander, Peruvian Army, talks to a U.S. Army Soldier while observing the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment conduct a platoon-level live fire and litter carry exercise at Fort Hood, Texas, Nov. 17, 2021. U.S. Army South Security Cooperation Directorate personnel escorted the Peruvian Army delegation to Fort Hood to observe U.S. Army Stryker units as part of an agreed-to-action deriving from the U.S.-Peruvian Army-to-Army Staff Talks. Army South is committed to supporting the efforts of partner nations to increase institutional capacity and regional collaboration. (U.S. Army photo by. Staff Sgt. Daniel Herman)