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U.S., Central American military leaders reaffirm their commitment to regional security, partnership
May 23, 2024 — SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – U.S. and Central American military leaders gathered in El Salvador, May 21, to reaffirm their shared commitment to regional security and to renew partner-nation engagement and training opportunities for the upcoming years. The multinational forum, hosted by U.S. Army South, served as the 19th edition of the U.S.-El Salvador army-to-army staff talks and the fifth Central American (CENTAM) Working Group, which was designed to enhance interoperability amongst American, Salvadoran, Guatemalan, and Honduran armies. MORE

10th annual U.S.-Peru Army Staff Talks synchronize future engagements, promote continuous transformation
May 9, 2024 — FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas – U.S. Army South hosted the 10th annual Peru-U.S. Army Staff Talks, May 9, at U.S. Army South Headquarters where delegations from both armies reviewed 46 agreed-to-actions that outline future engagements and continuous transformation efforts that will take place over the next three years. The U.S. Army Staff Talks Program serves as a bilateral forum for strategic-level discussion between respective armies to develop professional partnerships and increase interaction between partner nation armies. “The importance of these staff talks is that they shape the next three to four years of the process for working with our partner nations and ensure that the agreed-to-actions are aligned with the Army South campaign as well supporting the Peruvian Army objectives,” said U.S. Army Maj. Derek Repp, political-military plans officer for Peru within the U.S. Army South Security Cooperation Division. MORE

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South Begin TRADEWINDS 24 alongside Barbados Defence Force, U.S. Army South, Caribbean Allies and Partners
May 7, 2024 — The U.S. Marine Corps sent Company A, 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, and a reconnaissance detachment from 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, both from 4th Marine Division, alongside a Civil Affairs detachment from 4th Civil Affairs Group, Force Headquarters Group, Marine Forces Reserve, to train alongside partner forces and improve security cooperation in the Caribbean basin as part of U.S. Army South’s Exercise TRADEWINDS 24 on May 4 MORE

TRADEWINDS 24 begins after opening ceremony

TRADEWINDS 24 begins with opening ceremony
May 4, 2024 — BARBADOS — The flags of 26 nations were ceremoniously unfurled at Paragon Army Base, marking the official commencement of TRADEWINDS 24 in Barbados on May 4, 2024. As they fluttered in the breeze, they created a vibrant presentation of diversity and unity. From the rich hues representing the Caribbean nations to the bold stripes of the United States and the varied colors of Europe, each flag symbolized the commitment of partner nations to collaboration and multilateral relationships MORE

US Army South, joint force and multinational planners prepare for Exercise PANAMAX 2024 with crisis planning conference
April 30, 2024 — U.S. Army South hosted Joint Force planners and military representatives from five South American countries for a crisis planning conference at the Estancia del Norte San Antonio Hotel, April 22-26, in preparation for Exercise PANAMAX 2024. Exercise PANAMAX is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored, multinational and biannual exercise that provides training opportunities for Western Hemisphere nations to work together and build upon their capability to plan and conduct complex, multi-domain operations. The exercise scenario involves security and stability operations and focuses on a multinational and whole-of-government response under a United Nations Security Council resolution to counter security threats to and ensure a free flow of commerce through the Panama Canal. MORE

Maj. Gen. William L. Thigpen, U.S. Army South commanding general, addresses joint force and multinational planners during the Multinational Forces-South Planning in Crisis conference, April 22, at the Estancia del Norte San Antonio Hotel.

From Military Child to Soldier: My Personal Journey
April 23, 2024 — As I sit here, going on year six of my military career, I reflect on my choice to enlist into the world’s best and greatest military. I reflect on my “why.” Why did I decide that after having two children, I NEEDED to enlist? What would it do for me, and, more importantly, for my kids? Then I remembered how proud I was of my dad, retired Senior Master Sgt. Royce Cook. He selflessly served in the Army and the Air Force with a combined 33 years. When I was a child, I did not know the severity of the job, but I knew that he was brave and it made me happy and proud to tell my friends at school, ‘my dad is in the military.’ One of my earliest memories was seeing my dad deploy after the senseless attacks on 9/11. I remember not really understanding where he was going or why he was leaving, just that he was going to be gone for a while because there were some bad guys far away. MORE

taff Sgt. Carlie Stonebraker stands with her children and father, retired Senior Master Sgt. Royce Cook, at a Christmas event in Fredericksburg, Texas, December 2019. Stonebraker followed in her father’s footsteps and committed to a career of service through the U.S military.

Engineer officer follows in her father’s footsteps
April 17, 2024 — Some people join the military to serve their country, make a difference, and earn educational benefits. For Maj. Pam Rusinko, however, the decision was deeply personal—it was about following in her father's footsteps and continuing a legacy of service. "I am a daddy’s girl and always knew I wanted to go to West Point like him. I even branched engineers too," she said, reflecting on her journey. Her father, retired Col. Paul Rusinko, served 11 years on active duty and an additional 19 years in the Missouri Army National Guard. His dedication and commitment left a profound impact on his daughter from an early age, shaping her aspirations and guiding her path forward. MORE

From top left, retired Col. Paul Rusinko, Emma Rusinko, Chris Rusinko, and Pam Rusinko pose for a family photo.

Chilean and US Armies set stage for inaugural exercise Southern Fenix 2024
April 11, 2024 — IQUIQUE, Chile -- Chilean and U.S. Army Soldiers, along with civilian planners from U.S. Army South, 11th Airborne Division, 75th Field Artillery Brigade, 1st Security Forces Assistance Brigade and Texas Army National Guard conducted a mid-planning conference for exercise Southern Fenix 2024, April 1-5, in Iquique, Chile. Southern Fenix 2024 (SF24) is a bi-lateral exercise between the U.S. and Chilean armies. This will be the first U.S. Army-led exercise where the U.S. Army M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) platform is deployed to the United States Southern Command area of operation and piloting new warfighting concepts in partnership with the Chilean army. “Southern Fenix 24 is the first of its kind for the U.S. Army in the Southern Command area of operations,” said Col. Charles Karels, U.S. Army South training and exercise director. MORE

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Cathy Alston, Women’s Peace and Security lead for Southern Fenix 2024 shakes hands with Commander in Chief of the 6th Division of the Chilean Army, Brig. Gen. Ruben Castillo Herrera on the opening day of the mid-planning conference, April 1, 2024 in Iquique, Chile. Southern Fenix 24 (SF24) is a bi-lateral exercise between the U.S. Army and the Chilean Army (CHLAR) in Iquique, Chile. This will be the first U.S. Army-led exercise where the U.S. Army M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) platform is deployed to the United States Southern Command area of operation and piloting new warfighting concepts in partnership with Chile.

Third generation Soldier shares her inspiration to serve
March 12, 2024 — If I had to encapsulate my advice to those women who are thinking of joining the U.S. Army, it would be to create your own legacy. Appreciate the past, learn from the present, and embrace the future. It is a balance between continuous self-awareness and developing those around you. MORE

Prototype guidon returns to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, Army South
March 7, 2024 — U.S. Army South Soldiers, Civilians, friends, and Family gather to witness retired Col. Peter Malik, a former commander of Special Troops Battalion, U.S. Army South, return a piece of history: the prototype guidon he designed years ago for the battalion in a gesture of respect and appreciation of his former battalion here on Fort Sam Houston. MORE