Southcom Archives

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Mahan (DDG 72), left, and USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) sail in formation as an F/A-18 Super Hornet, assigned to Carrier Air Wing Eight embarked aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), descends on final approach to land on the aircraft carrier, Nov. 13, 2025. (Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Triniti Lersch)

Hegseth announces Operation Southern Spear after 20th US strike against alleged ‘narco-terrorists’

Pete Hegseth unveiled a large-scale military and surveillance operation in the Southcom AOR that will commence later this month.

Nov 14, 2025 By Brandi Vincent

An F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 87 lands on the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), after an in-flight change of command in which Cmdr. Brandon Rogers relieved Cmdr. John Schnepper, Nov. 5, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tajh Payne)

US surges naval airpower to Southcom with arrival of USS Gerald R. Ford, 9 embarked squadrons

America's newest and biggest aircraft carrier — the USS Gerald R. Ford — has entered the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility amid heightened tensions in Latin…

Nov 12, 2025 By Brandi Vincent

U.S. Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), and Ecuadorian Chief of Defense Gen. Henry Delgado Salvador sign a Communication Information Security Memorandum of Agreement in Santo Domingo, Ecuador, September 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy Ecuador)

Hegseth announces, without explanation, that Southcom commander Adm. Holsey is retiring

No explanation was given for Holsey’s retirement.

Oct 16, 2025 By Jon Harper

As it helps combat unlawful fishing internationally, NGA is ‘posturing’ for an AI-driven future

DefenseScoop was recently briefed on how data and AI are helping the agency spot illegal fishing activities in waters where they can be extremely difficult to trace.

May 10, 2023 By Brandi Vincent

Two unmanned surface vessels, a Devil Ray T-38 and Saildrone Explorer, operate in the Gulf of Aqaba, Sept. 10, during Eager Lion 2022. (U.S. Navy photo)

Navy to expand unmanned systems campaign to 4th Fleet this summer

A new Navy effort to integrate unmanned systems into 4th Fleet in Central and South America will kick off in July, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro announced.

Apr 4, 2023 By Jon Harper