13 May 2010, 

U.S. military humanitarian assessment teams help pave way for aid to Guatemalan communities  

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala (June 5, 2010) - U.S. military assessment teams composed of U.S. Special Operations civil affairs troops are conducting infrastructure assessments of storm-damaged areas in Guatemala.

The teams are part of a 70-person U.S. military contingent that is supporting Guatemalan humanitarian relief efforts in the wake of Tropical Storm Agatha, which caused widespread flooding and mudslides in the Central American nation. The assessment teams worked closely with Guatemalan military and government officials.

About 30 Army Special Forces and Navy SEALs personnel, under the command of U.S. Special Operations Command South, were already in the country for scheduled training when the storm struck. U.S. Southern Command and the U.S. Military Group-Guatemala requested that the troops be re-tasked to conduct rapid assessments of affected areas.

(By Michael Wimbish, U.S. Southern Command Public Affairs)   more

13 May 2010, 

Naval Special Warfare troops train with elite Brazilian Unit during Joint training  

Batalhão de Operações Especiais de Fuzileiros Navais, Brazil - Seven operators from Naval Special Warfare (NSW) had the opportunity to work with the Brazilian Marine Corps Special Operations Battalion (Tonelero) from April 19 - May 13. This was the first time the U.S. has engaged with this unit in more than 25 years.

"We requested this training to exchange tactics with special operations troops who have combat experience. The SEAL operators are the best choice to provide that training," said Brazilian Lt. Cmdr. Carlos Tunala, the Marine Corps Special Operations Battalion operations and logistics officer. "We focused on urban operations. My Marines are more prepared to conduct these operations now. Our only experience is in Haiti, which is not as complicated as Iraq or Afghanistan. With this training we can improve our operations in Haiti as well as be more prepared to host the World Cup and the Olympics." (By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Kathryn Whittenberger, Naval Special Warfare Group 4 Public Affairs)   more

22 Apr 2010, 

Hook up  

HOMESTEAD ARB, FLORIDA- Service members assigned to the Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH) hook up their static lines in preparation to jump out the door of a C-130 aircraft during an airborne operation April 22 at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla.

The operation allows airborne-qualified personnel to maintain current airborne proficiency and mission readiness in response to any contingency response force in the command's area of focus, which spans from the Caribbean, Central and South America. (U.S. Army Photo by Capt. Michelle Ibanez, SOCSOUTHPAO)

22 Apr 2010, 

Staying focused  

HOMESTEAD ARB, FLORIDA- Service members assigned to the Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH) stay focused as they prepare to jump out of a C-130 aircraft during an airborne operation April 22 at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla.

The training allows airborne-qualified personnel to maintain current airborne proficiency and mission readiness in response to any contingency response force in the command's area of focus, which spans from the Caribbean, Central and South America. SOCSOUTH plans and provides the primary theater contingency response force as well as conducts special operations across the Caribbean, Central and South American region. (U.S. Army Photo by Capt. Michelle Ibanez, SOCSOUTHPAO)

22 Apr 2010, 

Jumpmaster inspection  

HOMESTEAD ARB, FLORIDA- Sgt. Maj. Michael Lewis conducts a jumpmaster personnel inspection procedure on a U.S. Army paratrooper prior to an airborne operation April 22 at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. A JMPI is done in order to ensure the safety of each jumper as they exit the aircraft.

This training allows airborne-qualified personnel to maintain current airborne proficiency and mission readiness in response to any contingency response force in the command's area of focus, which spans from the Caribbean, Central and South America. (U.S. Army Photo by Capt. Michelle Ibanez, SOCSOUTHPAO)

22 Apr 2010, 

Senior leaders  

HOMESTEAD ARB, FLORIDA- Brig. Gen Hector Pagan, the Special Operations Command South commander, speaks with Dominican Brig. Gen. Pablo Cavallo Feliz during the final planning conference for Fuerzas Comando 2010 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Senior leaders from both the U.S. and Dominican militaries were working together in order to finalize all coordination efforts for the exercise. FC 10, the SOCSOUTH-sponsored annual Special Forces skills competition, will be held in the Dominican Republic this year.

The event helps promote interoperability, security and military partnerships throughout the Americas. More than 20 nations will be participating in this year's event. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Alex Licea, SOCSOUTH PAO)

23 Apr 2010, 

Working Together 

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - Military leaders from the Dominican Republic and servicemembers assigned to the Special Operations Command South work together in order to synchronize all efforts in preparation for the upcoming Fuerzas Comando 2010 exercise during the final planning conference for the event April 23 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Senior leaders from both the U.S. and Dominican militaries were working together in order to finalize all coordination efforts for the exercise.

After the conference a memorandum of understanding between the two nations was signed. FC 10, the SOCSOUTH-sponsored annual Special Forces skills competition, will be held in the Dominican Republic this year. The event helps promote interoperability, security and military partnerships throughout the Americas. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Alex Licea, SOCSOUTH PAO)

23 Apr 2010, 

Sign a memorandum of understanding  

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic -Dominican Brig. Gen. Pablo Cavallo Feliz and Brig. Gen Hector Pagan, the Special Operations Command-South commander, sign a memorandum of understanding April 23 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic after the conclusion of the final planning conference for Fuerzas Comando 2010. FC 10, the SOCSOUTH-sponsored annual Special Forces skills competition, will be held in the Dominican Republic this year.

The event helps promote interoperability, security and military partnerships throughout the Americas. More than 20 nations will be participating in this year's event. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Alex Licea, SOCSOUTH PAO)

25 Feb 2010, 

Seabees make improvements to school in Port-au-Prince  

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - U.S. Navy Seabees from Naval Special Warfare Group TWO, Logistics and Support Unit, completed improvement projects at the Quisqueya School in Port-au-Prince Feb 25, as part of an initiative to assist school administrators with making repairs and improvements to help facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid and supplies after the January 12th earthquake.  more