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Unified in purpose: Southern Vanguard 2025 marks a milestone in regional cooperation
September 2, 2025 — As Exercise Southern Vanguard 25 (ExSV25) concludes Aug. 29, 2025 in the Chilean Andes, a powerful message resonates across the Americas: regional unity, military cooperation, and operational readiness are stronger than ever. Led by U.S. Army South (USARSOUTH), hosted by the Chilean army and conducted in collaboration with the armies of Argentina and Peru, this year’s exercise marks a pivotal step forward in building trust, enhancing interoperability, and reinforcing a shared commitment to security and stability in the Western Hemisphere. MORE

U.S. Army South Commander Maj. Gen. Philip Ryan presents Chilean General de Brigada Claudio Mardones Petermann, commander of the 3rd Mountain Division, with a gift during the closing ceremony for Exercise Southern Vanguard 25 in Los Ángeles, Chile, Aug. 29, 2025. Exercise Southern Vanguard 25 underscores the U.S. Army’s enduring commitment to regional partnership as U.S. forces deploy to Chile to conduct combined mountain warfare, field, and command post training alongside Chilean forces, with participation from Argentina and Peru - strengthening interoperability, shared readiness, and mutual trust while advancing regional security and cooperation across the Western Hemisphere. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Sebastian Rothwyn)

PISAJ 21 conclude after 12 days of senior NCO leadership instruction
August 26, 2025 — FORT BLISS, Texas – The 21st iteration of the Programa Integral para Suboficiales de Alta Jerarquía (PISAJ) came to a close Aug. 22, 2025, at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy (SMA-A), wrapping up nearly two weeks of shared learning and multinational engagement between U.S. and Colombian senior enlisted leaders. MORE

Colombian army Sgt. Maj. Duan Gomez Bustamante, student at the Colombian Armed Forces Sergeants Major Academy and Programa Integral para Suboficiales de Alta Jerarquía (PISAJ) 21 participant, discusses challenges facing the Colombian military with fellow students during the PISAJ 21 culminating event at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, Fort Bliss, Texas, Aug. 21, 2025. PISAJ is a biannual, partner nation-funded initiative aligned with U.S. Southern Command’s Theater Campaign Plan and directly supports the Colombian army transformation to align its noncommissioned officer corps with globally recognized standards. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Taeckens)

U.S. SOUTHCOM Commander Visits Jungle Orientation Course
August 20, 2025 — PANAMA CITY, Panama, August 19, 2025. — U.S. Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) visited Panama Aug. 17-18 to observe the combined U.S.-Panamanian Jungle Orientation Course at the Aeronaval Headquarters Cristóbal Colón Base and meet with senior Panamanian security leaders. MORE

U.S. Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey, the commander of U.S Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), speaks with Frank Abrego, the Minister of Public Security of Panama at Aeronaval Base Cristóbal Colón, Aug. 17, 2025. Holsey and Abrego visited a jungle orientation course, observing U.S. Marines being taught jungle survival skills from a combined instructor team of U.S. Army and Panamanian security institution members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jymil Licorish)

Sergeant Major of the Army underscores grit, fundamentals, and U.S.-Colombian partnership at PISAJ 21
August 19, 2025 — FORT BLISS, Texas – In the storied halls of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer spoke to the 21st iteration of the Programa Integral para Suboficiales de Alta Jerarquía (PISAJ) class and senior enlisted leaders of the Colombian military, emphasizing the importance of grit, fundamentals and professional development in shaping the next generation of noncommissioned officers (NCOs), Aug. 18, 2025. MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer, center, speaks to Programa Integral para Suboficiales de Alta Jerarquía (PISAJ) 21 participants and facilitators from the U.S. and Colombian militaries about the roles and responsibilities of senior enlisted leaders at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas, Aug. 18, 2025. PISAJ is a biannual, partner nation-funded initiative aligned with U.S. Southern Command’s Theater Campaign Plan and directly supports the Colombian army’s transformation to align its noncommissioned officer corps with globally recognized standards. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Taeckens)

Southern Vanguard 25 kicks off in Chile, strengthening regional partnerships and readiness
August 15, 2025 — LOS ÁNGELES, Chile – Exercise Southern Vanguard 25 (ExSV25), a U.S. Army South (USARSOUTH)-led multilateral training exercise with the Chilean army, officially commenced Aug. 12, 2025 in Los Ángeles, Chile. MORE

U.S. Army South Brig. Gen. Michael Eastridge, deputy commanding general arrives at the opening ceremony for Southern Vanguard 25 Exercise with U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and military forces from Argentina and Peru during Exercise Southern Vanguard 25 in Los Angeles, Chile, Aug. 11, 2025. Exercise Southern Vanguard 25 underscores the U.S. Army’s enduring commitment to regional partnership as U.S. forces deploy to Chile to conduct combined mountain warfare, field, and command post training alongside Chilean forces, with participation from Argentina and Peru - strengthening interoperability, shared readiness, and mutual trust while advancing regional security and cooperation across the Western Hemisphere. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Rosa Ibarra)

U.S., Colombian armies open PISAJ 21 to advance senior NCO professional development
August 12, 2025 — COLUMBIA, S.C. – U.S. Army South (USARSOUTH), in coordination with the Colombian army, officially launched the 21st iteration of the Programa Integral para Suboficiales de Alta Jerarquía (PISAJ), the capstone event of the Colombian Sergeants Major Academy, during an opening ceremony at the South Carolina National Guard McCrady Training Center in Columbia, S.C., Aug. 11, 2025. MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Olsen, standing, U.S. Army South senior enlisted advisor, speaks to U.S. and Colombian participants of Programa Integral para Suboficiales de Alta Jerarquía (PISAJ) 21 at the South Carolina National Guard McCrady Training Center in Columbia, S.C., Aug. 11, 2025. PISAJ is a biannual, partner nation-funded initiative aligned with U.S. Southern Command’s Theater Campaign Plan and directly supports the Colombian Army’s transformation to align its noncommissioned officer corps with globally recognized standards. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Taeckens)

Geospatial collaboration strengthens security cooperation in Western Hemisphere
July 28, 2025 — FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas – Soldiers from the U.S. Army South (USARSOUTH) conducted a geospatial subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) with members of the Colombian and Peruvian armies, July 22-24, as part of an agreed-to action with the Colombian army. MORE

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Alexander Fraire, middle, senior geospatial warrant officer with the 512th Geospatial Engineering Detachment, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, U.S. Army South, demonstrates and explains the geospatial data capturing platform used by his unit during a combined geospatial subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, July 23, 2025. The SMEE, hosted by 512th Geospatial Engineer Detachment, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, U.S. Army South, focused on building interoperability and partner capacity in geospatial engineering. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Joshua Taeckens)

Meet Maj. Gen. Eduardo Valdivia, Army South’s new Deputy Commanding General - Interoperability
June 10, 2025 — FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — U.S. Army South (USARSOUTH) ushered in a new chapter of leadership with the appointment of Chilean army Maj. Gen. Eduardo Valdivia as Deputy Commanding General - Interoperability (DCG-I), bringing with him a wealth of experience and a strong vision for fostering regional partnerships. MORE

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Phil Ryan, left, the U.S. Army South (USARSOUTH) ceremonially welcomes Chilean army Maj. Gen. Eduardo Valdivia, the incoming deputy commanding general – interoperability, during a patching ceremony in the unit’s Daniel Van Voorhis Conference Room at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, April 22, 2022. The patching ceremony is a tradition meant to welcome incoming leaders to USARSOUTH. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class ShaTyra Cox)

US, Colombian army leaders conclude PISAJ-20 and increase NCO operational reach
May 20, 2025 — FORT SILL, Okla. – 30 Colombian army and one Brazilian army sergeants major concluded the capstone of the Programa Integral para Suboficiales de Alta Jerarquía 20 (PISAJ-20), here, May 16. The joint military program is designed to bolster the leadership skills of Colombian army senior noncommissioned officers (NCOs) and is a cornerstone of the enduring U.S.-Colombia military partnership. MORE

Distinguished guests and students attend the Programa Integral para Suboficiales de Alta Jerarquia 20 (PISAJ-20) closing ceremony at Fort Sill, Okla., May 16, 2025. PISAJ is a geo-strategic semiannual military engagement focused on developing, advancing, and professionalizing the COLAR senior NCO corps. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Maj. Juan C. Munoz) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Maj. Juan Munoz)

Regional resilience and unity on display in the Caribbean as TRADEWINDS 25 comes to a close
May 12, 2025 — TETERON BAY, Trinidad and Tobago – U.S. Southern Command Commander Adm. Alvin Holsey praised the strength of international cooperation as the 40th iteration of TRADEWINDS 25 (TW25) concluded May 8, following two weeks of intense, multinational training in Trinidad and Tobago. MORE

U.S. Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, commander of U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), provides remarks at the TRADEWINDS 25 (TW25) closing ceremony at Teteron Barracks in Teteron Bay, Trinidad and Tobago, May 8, 2025. TW25 is a USSOUTHCOM-sponsored and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-approved annual exercise that bolsters regional stability and demonstrates U.S. Joint Force coordination and interoperability with Allies and partners. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc Astia LeBron) (Spc. Astia LeBron)