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Colombian Army trains at JRTC, conducts Staff Talks with Army South
June 15, 2021 — The U.S. Army can trace its history training with the Colombian Army (COLAR) to more than 60 years ago when U.S. Army Ranger officers developed the Lancero training program for the COLAR in the mid-1950s. Since that time, the initiative has resulted in one of the longest one-on-one professional military relationships with U.S. Army South taking the lead in maintaining the long-lasting partnership; culminating with the first time a COLAR unit conducting bilateral training at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort Polk, La.; followed by bilateral staff talks between the two armies at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas. MORE

aj. Gen. Daniel R. Walrath, right, U.S. Army South commanding general, greets Colombian soldiers during a visit to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La., June 9, 2021. The Colombian Army is the second South American army to conduct bilateral training with a U.S. Army unit as part of a JRTC rotation.

Army South staff tour the Colombian Army Infantry Museum during the 12th annual U.S., Colombia Army-to-Army Staff Talks
June 11, 2021 — Col. Jeffrey Lopez, right, U.S. Army South Security Cooperation Directorate chief, and Col. Chip Karels, center, U.S. Army South G7 Training and Exercises director, tour the Colombian Army Infantry Museum with the Colombian Army Infantry School Commandant Col. Suarez Giraldo Cesar Augusto, left, June 10, in Bogotá, during the 12th Annual U.S., Colombian Army-to-Army Staff Talks. Each year, the U.S. Army conducts staff talks with the Colombian Army to provide a strategic forum, promote professional relationships and coordinate engagement activities. The U.S. Army designated U.S. Army South as the executive agent for these talks, which are a concrete example of Army South’s security cooperation activities in the region... MORE

Col. Jeffrey Lopez, right, U.S. Army South Security Cooperation Directorate chief, and Col. Chip Karels, center, U.S. Army South G7 Training and Exercises director, tour the Colombian Army Infantry Museum with the Colombian Army Infantry School Commandant Col. Suarez Giraldo Cesar Augusto, left, June 10, in Bogotá, during the 12th Annual U.S., Colombian Army-to-Army Staff Talks.

Each year, the U.S. Army conducts staff talks with the Colombian Army to provide a strategic forum, promote professional relationships and coordinate engagement activities. The U.S. Army designated U.S. Army South as the executive agent for these talks, which are a concrete example of Army South’s security cooperation activities in the region.

Army Futures Command Best Warrior 2021
June 11, 2021 — On a hot, muggy day U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ramiro Rangel, Jr., Army South Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, and Spc. Justin Earnhart, 470th Military Intelligence Brigade, pull security in the shade before beginning the battle lanes during the Army Futures Command Best Warrior Competition in San Antonio, Texas, June 8, 2021. MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ramiro Rangel, Army South Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, and Spc. Justin Earnhart, 470th Military Intelligence Brigade, take a knee during the Army Futures Command Best Warrior Competition on Fort Sam Houston, Texas, June 9, 2021. The Best Warrior Competition evaluates a Soldier’s physical ability, tactical performance and knowledge of Army regulations. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Joshua Taeckens) (This photo was edited from its original version)

Senior leaders visit U.S. Army, Colombian Army troops at JRTC
June 10, 2021 — U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Daniel R. Walrath, center-right, U.S. Army South commanding general, and Colombian Army Maj. Gen. German Lopez Guererro, center-left, Colombian Army Force Generation chief of staff, visit troops participating in a combined combat training event at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La., June 9. A platoon from the Colombian Army’s Counter Narcotics Brigade is participating in JRTC Rotation 21-08 with members of the U.S. Army South Carolina National Guard’s 1-118th Infantry Battalion at Fort Polk, La., June 8-21. The Colombian Army is one of the most professional armies in South America. This opportunity enhances the capabilities and readiness of the U.S. and Colombian Army forces as we continue to develop our mutual readiness... MORE

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Daniel R. Walrath, center-right, commanding general, U.S. Army South, and Colombian Army Maj. Gen. German Lopez Guererro, center-left, Colombian Army Force Generation chief of staff, visit with troops participating in a combined combat training event at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La., June 9.

A platoon from the Colombian Army’s Counter Narcotics Brigade is participating in JRTC Rotation 21-08 with members of the U.S. Army South Carolina National Guard’s 1-118th Infantry Battalion to improve interoperability between the U.S. and Colombian armies. The Colombian Army is one of the most professional armies in South America. This opportunity enhances the capabilities and readiness of the U.S. and Colombian Army forces as we continue to develop our mutual readiness.

Native Colombian pursues dream as Army aviator: Part 1
June 9, 2021 — BOGOTÁ – As Chief Warrant Officer 3 Mauricio Garcia, and his Colombian safety officer counterpart, Capt. Cristian Castiblanco, walk the flight line at a Colombian Army base, inspecting for safety hazards and violations, he could not help but marvel on how his life had come full circle... MORE

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Mauricio Garcia, and his Colombian safety officer counterpart, Capt. Cristian Castiblanco, walk the flight line of Tolemaida Army Base inspecting for safety hazards and violations. Garcia, a UH-60M Black Hawk pilot and aviation safety officer, is deployed here as part of a technical advising team from U.S. Army Security Assistance Command’s Fort Bragg-based training unit, the Security Assistance Training Management Organization. (photo by Richard Bumgardner)

Colombian Army joins South Carolina National Guard for bilateral training at JRTC
June 9, 2021 — Maj. Gen. German Lopez Guererro, center, chief of staff for Force Generation, Colombian Army, receives a command brief on the U.S. Army Joint Readiness Training Center by Brig. Gen. David Doyle, commanding general, U.S. Army JRTC and Fort Polk, at Fort Polk, La., June 9, 2021, during the U.S. Army and Colombian Army JRTC Training Rotation 21-08. A platoon from the Colombian Army’s Counter Narcotics Brigade is participating in JRTC Rotation 21-08 with members of the U.S. Army South Carolina National Guard’s 1-118th Infantry Battalion to improve interoperability between the two armies. This bilateral training opportunity is the culmination of numerous engagements between U.S. Army South and the Colombian Army to develop professional partnerships and increase mutual readiness. The goal is to provide participating forces an opportunity to conduct security and stability operations, practice interoperability, and strengthen their ability to plan and execute complex multinational operations. ... MORE

Maj. Gen. German Lopez Guererro, center, chief of staff for Force Generation, Colombian Army, receives a command brief on the U.S. Army Joint Readiness Training Center by Brig. Gen. David Doyle, commanding general, U.S. Army JRTC and Fort Polk, at Fort Polk, La., June 9, 2021, during the U.S. Army and Colombian Army JRTC Training Rotation 21-08.

A platoon from the Colombian Army’s Counter Narcotics Brigade is participating in JRTC Rotation 21-08 with members of the U.S. Army South Carolina National Guard’s 1-118th Infantry Battalion to improve interoperability between the U.S. and Colombian armies. This bilateral training opportunity is the culmination of numerous engagements between U.S. Army South and the Colombian Army to develop professional partnerships and increase mutual readiness.

12th Annual U.S., Colombian Army Staff Talks kicks-off in Bogota
June 9, 2021 — Col. Jeffrey Lopez, left, chief, U.S. Army South Security Cooperation Division, provides opening remarks with Col. Francisco Candela, right, deputy director, Colombian Army International Affairs Directorate, to begin the U.S., Colombian Army Staff Talks at the Army Infantry School in Bogota, Colombia, June 9, 2021. The U.S. Army Staff Talks Program serves as a bilateral engagement for military discussion between respective armies. This year marks the 12th time the U.S. Army and the Colombian Army have met for staff talks, which has been instrumental in enhancing the interoperability and cooperation between the two partners... MORE

Col. Jeffrey Lopez, left, chief, U.S. Army South Security Cooperation Division, provides opening remarks with Lt. Col. Francisco Candela, right, deputy director, Colombian Army Bilateral Relations, to begin the U.S., Colombian Army Staff Talks at the Army Infantry School in Bogota, Colombia, June 9, 2021.

The U.S. Army Staff Talks Program serves as a bilateral engagement for military discussion between respective armies. This year marks the 12th time the U.S. Army and the Colombian Army have met for staff talks, which has been instrumental in enhancing the interoperability and cooperation between the two partners.

Army South Operational Protection Directorate conducts staff assistance visit in Panama
June 2, 2021 — Members from the Army South Operational Protection Directorate conducted a staff assistance visit in Panama May 23-29 to assist U.S. Army Soldiers set conditions for adequate anti-terrorism, force protection, personnel recovery, medical care and medical evacuation tasks at the Brigada Oriental Senafront compound in Meteti and the command and control nodes in Panama City. Multiple exercises and situational event discussions demonstrated the team’s capability to employ the full scope of protection requirements... MORE

Members from the Army South Operational Protection Directorate conducted a staff assistance visit in Panama May 23-29 to assist U.S. Army Soldiers set conditions for adequate anti-terrorism, force protection, personnel recovery, medical care and medical evacuation tasks at the Brigada Oriental Senafront compound in Meteti and the command and control nodes in Panama City. Multiple exercises and situational event discussions demonstrated the team’s capability to employ the full scope of protection requirements.

Staff talks allow U.S. Army to assist Peruvian Army’s transformation, modernization
May 25, 2021 — In 1827, the United States established diplomatic relations with Peru, and nearly 200 years later, the U.S. and Peru’s strategic partnership continues to enhance security across the Western Hemisphere to collectively meet complex global challenges. MORE

Maj. Gen. Daniel R. Walrath, U.S. Army South commanding general, signs minutes during the sixth annual U.S., Peru army-to-army staff talks, May 20, at the Army South headquarters, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Sixth annual U.S. Army-Peruvian Army Staff Talks
May 21, 2021 — Maj. Gen. Daniel R. Walrath, U.S. Army South commanding general, and Brig. Gen. Christian Garcia, Peruvian military attaché, share a moment before the sixth annual U.S. Army-Peruvian Army Staff Talks, held at Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston on May 20. The two armies discussed future bilateral training opportunities and other areas to improve interoperability between the two armies... MORE