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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

Retired Col. Peter Malik, speaks about his time as the commander of the Special Troops Battalion, and explains why this prototype flag means alot to him and why he is returning it to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion at U.S. Army South. Malik designed this guidon in 2007 for the STB, HHBN, U.S. Army South. This prototype guidon will be displayed in the HHBN Command Suite.

U.S. Army South hosts the synchronization symposium with Joint Force partners
February 29, 2024 — FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- United States Army South hosted the Joint Synchronization Symposium (JSS) at their headquarters at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Feb. 26-29. Structured around the Joint Planning Doctrine, representatives from multiple Joint Force organizations attended the conference, including Special Operations Command South, Air Force South, Marine Forces South, U.S. Southern Command, 350th Civil Affairs Command, 807th Medical Command Deployment Support, 1st Mission Support Command, and the Army Reserve Cyber Protection Brigade; to synchronize and expand engagements to maintain or increase the U.S. presence in the Western Hemisphere. MORE

Representing planners engage in discussions during the Joint Synchronization Symposium (JSS) at Fort Sam Houston, Feb. 29, 2024.

All Rise: Married Army JAG officers promoted together during joint ceremony
February 9, 2024 — It's not every day that a courthouse is the site for a promotion ceremony. But today, the Fort Sam Houston Courthouse served as the perfect backdrop for the advancement of two distinguished Judge Advocate General's Corps officers, marking a significant milestone in the careers of a couple who have served their nation together with distinction for two decades. A place typically reserved for legal proceedings and military court martials, bore witness to a historic moment as Lt. Col. Jennifer Venghaus, the U.S. Army South Judge Advocate, and her husband, Lt. Col. Joseph Venghaus, Trial Judge of Fort Cavazos’ Fifth Judicial Circuit, were promoted to the rank of colonel during a joint ceremony hosted by Maj. General William Thigpen, the U.S. Army South Commanding General. MORE

ARSOUTH makes inaugural appearance at the Polyglot Games
February 4, 2024 — Two teams of seven linguists from U.S. Army South and 470th Military Intelligence Brigade competed at the 6th annual Polyglot Games at the Salt Palace Convention Center, here, Feb. 3, 2024. The Polyglot Games, hosted by the 300th Military Intelligence Brigade, is the premiere language competition of the Department of Defense and designed to provide linguists with high-quality training that tests linguistic capabilities in a simulated operational environment. MORE