Story by Sgt. 1st Class Victor Aguirre, SOCSOUTH.

Hurricanes, large-scale migration, counter-narcotics trafficking, and the outbreak of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have made 2020 a challenging year worldwide. Although travel around the world has slowed to a crawl, crises have not, thus requiring Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH) to continue supporting partner nations through humanitarian assistance and military exchanges.

SOCSOUTH has operated in the southern region of the Western Hemisphere for well over four decades, conducting operations from disaster relief to multilateral military operations in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. As such, SOCSOUTH is postured to support partner nations in times of emerging crises and prepared to take action at a moment’s notice to assist its allies. As a key function of crisis response, airborne operations enable this assistance.

“However, airborne operations were halted to minimize the spread of COVID-19 within our organization and the local community,” stated SOCSOUTH Operations Officer Col. Jay Brooke. “We resumed airborne operations in early 2021 as vaccines became available for military personnel and the general public.” Many consider airborne operations antiquated in today’s modern age of hypersonic missiles and cyber warfare. However, finding the opportunity to reinitiate the perishable skillset of airborne operations safely in a COVID-19 environment enhanced SOCSOUTH’s ability to conduct rapid response and provide the best support possible to U.S. allies in our southern hemisphere.

“SOCSOUTH’s deployed operational forces have conducted multiple airborne operations with our partners across the Western Hemisphere in 2021, and it provides the operational force with an opportunity to conduct interoperability training, share techniques and procedures, and sustain partnerships,” said Col. Brooke.

In addition to executing airborne operations to maintain readiness and proficiency, SOCSOUTH also conducts rapid deployment preparations, because a quick deployment is not as simple as grabbing a backpack full of equipment and boarding a plane. Passports and visas are still required for service members that deploy to partnered countries at a moment’s notice. No exemptions are made for military personnel assisting in crises. Furthermore, negative COVID-19 results are required to enter any country. If coordinating the movement of personnel and equipment is not carefully aligned, forces may not arrive at the point of need when requested.

“A crisis could be a natural disaster or human-made in the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR). SOCSOUTH personnel would deploy to be the ‘eyes and ears’ of the SOUTHCOM Commander in the crisis area,” said SOCSOUTH Joint Effects Division Director Lt. Col. Clay Curtis. “The [SOCSOUTH deployed] element coordinates with the U.S. embassy in the crisis area and provides SOUTHCOM Commander situational awareness.”

“For crisis response exercises, it is essential for SOCSOUTH elements to work with embassies in the AOR.” Curtis said. “The main reason why it is important is that the U.S. Ambassador and Country Team are responsible to the U.S. President for any U.S. activity occurring in the host nation.”

U.S. embassies play a vital role in military personnel’s travel as the embassies are the liaison in the host nation. SOCSOUTH must coordinate with the embassy to track all U.S. personnel in the country.

For many years, the United States sought cooperation with countries in the Western Hemisphere to enhance regional security and stability. However, in recent years authoritarian state actors like China, Russia, and Iran have increased their activities and interests in the region. These actors provide financial support in exchange for market share in a nation’s economy through predatory loans or fuel support for countries opposing the U.S., such as Cuba and Venezuela

“China, Russia, and Iran all have global ambitions and interests, including the Western Hemisphere. There is no denying they seek to destabilize regions worldwide by fueling regional economic and political tensions,” said Col. Brooke. “The U.S. continues to support democracies and partner nations across Central and South America and the Caribbean as it has for the past 40 years.”

SOCSOUTH gains and strengthens relationships through theater security cooperation, counter transnational criminal organizations, and counter-terrorism purposes with partner nations’ special operations units in the SOUTHCOM AOR (e.g., Special Forces, Civil Affairs, Psychological Operations, Special Operations Aviation, and Naval Special Warfare elements). SOCSOUTH is the most consistent partner in the region.

Partner nations share the Western Hemisphere as a common neighborhood where all countries, not just the U.S., have a critical interest in maintaining security, trade, and stability. Our partner nations look to the U.S. as a reliable partner who consistently answers the call in providing professional training while recognizing our shared customs, culture, and values.

“Partner nations continue to request training and maintain the readiness of their military force to respond to regional security concerns such as the Chinese Fleet off the coast of the Galapagos and Argentinian waters,” said Brooke. “Training has shifted from ground level activities to institution building as the U.S. also works closely with partner nations on strategic planning and humanitarian assistance.”

During October and November 2020, the U.S. provided humanitarian assistance in Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua after Hurricanes Eta and Iota devastated Central America, creating landslides and flooding that devastated large regions of these countries. When support is needed, SOCSOUTH personnel are ready to deploy, establish, and redeploy a crisis response element.

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Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH) is one of the seven sub-unified commands in the Department of Defense (DoD) and operationally assigned to U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). It is a joint (service members from the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force) Special Operations headquarters that plans and executes special operations in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. SOCSOUTH principally employs Special Operations Forces (SOF) provided by U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the Services’ Special Operations Forces component commands. The Area of Responsibility (AOR) encompasses 31 countries & ten overseas territories of other nations, such as the U.K., France, and the Netherlands. More than 410 million people from varying cultures live in the region, with 25 languages and ten religions.

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Photo: Special Operations Command South personnel test communication equipment for operations in austere conditions when called to deploy quickly to support partner nations in times of need. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Victor Aguirre of SOCSOUTH, April 21, 2021.

Story: This article by Sgt. 1st Class Victor Aguirre of Special Operations Command South was originally published by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service on June 1, 2021. DVIDS media content is in the public domain.

Story by Victor Aguirre, SOCSOUTH, Feb 16, 2021.

A young mother turned on the television to entertain her son with the United States Space Shuttle launch twenty years ago. The space launch created a great impression on the child that would influence him for many years.

“Today is special for a number of reasons, as Tech. Sgt. Narain will extend his commitment to our nation through his military service by accepting his reenlistment,” said Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH) Commander Rear. Adm. Keith Davids. “The uniqueness of this event resides in the service transfer to the newest U.S. Military Service, the United States Space Force (USSF).”

In a reenlistment ceremony at Special Operations Command South broadcast online, Rear Adm. Davids swore in Tech. Sgt. Krishan Narain, a Cyberspace Support Technician, into the Space Force, Feb. 5. Tech. Sgt. Narain is the first Special Operations Command South service member selected for an inter-service transfer into the Space Force.

Photo: In a reenlistment ceremony at Special Operations Command South broadcast online, Rear Adm. Davids swore in Tech. Sgt. Krishan Narain, a Cyberspace Support Technician, into the Space Force on Feb. 5. Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Victor Aguirre

“It is historic for this command as he becomes the first member of SOCSOUTH to dedicate his service to this new branch,” Davids said. “Tech. Sgt. Narain joins the estimated 2,200 service members currently executing initial Space Force operations.”

“I did not think I would ever have the chance to be this close to the space mission. I’ve worked a broad career, and while I knew I could be stationed somewhere that dealt with space, being in the USSF is historic itself,” said Narain. “My personal goal is to go work for the private sector in the space realm. The work they do with launching and recovering rockets looks so easy on TV, but the hard work and creativity to get there is what I enjoy.”

SOCSOUTH’s first airman turned guardian will continue his service at SOCSOUTH as the sole Space Force representative for the command. Tech. Sgt. Narain will explore the future roles and responsibilities Space Command may assume within the Special Operations community.

Inspired by an older cousin who joined the U.S. Air National Guard as a crew chief, Narain enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on May 4, 2010, originally intending to become an aircraft maintenance specialist. Narain’s recruiter convinced him to work with cyberspace-based systems instead as it is as critical as aerial weapon systems.

“Perhaps today reflects a bit of destiny as Tech. Sgt. Narain has been passionate about space since watching a shuttle launch on TV as a young child,” Davids said.

“I was so eager to apply that within a day’s announcement of applications being accepted, my paperwork was in routing,” Narain said. “Space is a big deal and I am intrigued by the vast complexity of it.”

Additionally, Tech. Sgt. Narain was selected for promotion to Master Sgt. and will lead as a senior noncommissioned officer (NCO) in the Space Force.

“Tech. Sgt. Narain has already been selected for promotion to Master Sgt. and he will lead our new Space Force as a senior NCO,” Davids said. “He will do so, bringing his many years of experience to bear that he gained from service in places like Afghanistan, Arizona, and Nevada.”

“Space is critical to national security. Everything from bank transactions to global positioning is done through Space-based systems. Our adversaries are gaining capabilities in every warfighting domain, and the Space Force gives us a competitive edge to stay in the fight in Space,” Narain said. “It boils down to providing capabilities anywhere on Earth, allowing our warfighters to protect national security interests. A prime example is when one of our USSF Organizations were able to alert an installation in Southwest Asia of an incoming missile attack saving hundreds of service members’ lives.”

Rear Adm. Davids thanked Narain for his current and continued service in the Armed Forces and his courage as Narain joins Space Force pioneers in developing a robust space presence and expanding this warfighting domain for the U.S.

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Author: This story was originally published on February 16, 2021 by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) and is in the public domain. The article is by Sgt. 1st Class Victor Aguirre, Special Operations Command South, entitled “First SOCSOUTH Airman becomes a Space Force Guardian”

Fuerzas Comando 2017 – The armed forces of Paraguay hosted top special operations soldiers from across North and South America during the Fuerzas Comando 2017 competition. This military exercise has been held every year since 2004. The first competition was hosted by El Salvador with 13 participating countries. This year’s event, which took place July 17-26, hosted almost 500 personnel. Many military and law enforcement agencies were represented from 20 different countries.

The competition is sponsored by the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and planned and executed by the Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH). The intent of the exercise is to promote regional cooperation and interoperability. In addition, relationships are established and reinforced within the SOF community of the Western hemisphere.

General Tony Thomas, the commander of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) attended the opening ceremony and stated:

“Fuerzas Comando is yet another link in the global network. This network brings together our hemisphere’s Special Operations Forces and key leadership into an interlocking tribe of families, partners and true friends.”

The teams that compete are made up of 6 members. Four troops are in the assault group while two are snipers. In addition, each team has an alternate in case of illness or injury. There are a number of complicated and arduous events that the teams compete in to include a confidence course, combat march, aquatic events, obstacle course, physical fitness tests, marksmanship, sniper stress tests, and situational scenarios requiring specific actions.

As part of the overall event a Senior Leader Seminar was held where military, defense, security leaders, academics, and policy influencers met to to discuss the methods of countering transnational and transregional threat networks (T3N). The four-day seminar featured several presentation on the T3N topics. In addition the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) provided a series of presentations on related subjects.

The victorious team this year was Team Honduras.  Colombia placed second with the United States team from 7th Special Forces Group from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida placing third.

Videos of Fuerzas Comando 2017:

Combined Assault Event, SOCSouth, July 22, 2017.

Ruck March and Team Event, SOCSouth, July 26, 2017.

Fuerzas Comando 2017, SOCSouth, July 26, 2017.

Further Reading:

“Paraguay to Host Fuerzas Comando 2017”, Dialogo Military Magazine, July 25, 2017.

“A Band of Brothers: Countries compete for 11 days but partner for life”, DVIDS, Special Operations Command South, July 27, 2017.

“Fuerzas Comando XIII Senior Leader Seminar Analyzes Joint Ways to Counter T3N”, Dialogo Military Magazine, July 28, 2017.

“Special Ops Competition Brings Teams Together, SouthCom Commander Says”, Defense Media Activity, July 27, 2017.

“Salvadoran Soldiers and Special Operations personnel assigned to 1st Airborne Brigade and Special Forces Command completed Operation Serpiente, a joint air assault training mission led by members of the U.S. 7th Special Forces Group, Naval Special Warfare, and Joint Task Force-Bravo’s 1st Battalion 228th Aviation Regiment Nov. 28 – Dec. 2, at Ilopango Airport. Operation Serpiente was the largest air assault exercise of its kind to take place in El Salvador in recent years, requiring an expert level of partnership cooperation among ground and air assets.

“Synchronization of tasks and having different people working on different efforts, all at the same time, came together so we were prepared to conduct the training and the missions safely,” said Lt. Col. Richard Tucker, 1-228 AVN commander, “We worked with the Special Operations Forces teams here, who brought the specialized tactics and mission planning.” 1-228 AVN provided airlift support at the request of the U.S. Special Forces group, who are currently training three elements of Salvadoran forces.”

Read the rest of the story in “US, El Salvador forces execute air assault training”, DVIDS, December 13, 2016.

On this day – December 20, 1989 – Operation JUST CAUSE in Panama began. The operation arrested Maneul Noriega – the ruling dictator – and restored the government of Guillermo Endara.

Special Operations Command South (SOCSouth) was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone at Fort Clayton – occupying part of the on-base elementary school. 3rd Battalion 7th Special Forces Group was also based in the Panama Canal Zone. In the days prior to the invasion some U.S. military personnel flew in via commercial airlines. Many combat units parachuted into Panama to include the Army Rangers and 82nd Airborne Division.

Once combat operations ceased the conflict went into the stabilization mode – restoring public services, re-establishing the nation’s government, and re-training and recruiting for the country’s police forces. Many U.S. special operations forces were assigned throughout Panama to the rural areas to help with the implementation of the newly formed Panama Police Force. This phase of the operation was called Operation PROMOTE LIBERTY and lasted several months.

Read more:

“United States invasion of Panama”, Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_invasion_of_Panama

OPERATION JUST CAUSE Panama, Joint History Office, Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1990, 99 pages. The author, Ronald H. Cole, describes the planning and execution of joint operations in Panama from February 1988 to January 1990.
www.dtic.mil/doctrine/doctrine/history/justcaus.pdf

“Operation Just Cause: the Invasion of Panama, December 1989”, Army.mil, Army Heritage and Education Center, November 17, 2008.

Operation JUST CAUSE: Navy SEALs in Panama, Navy SEAL Museum.

Operation JUST CAUSE
www.operationjustcause.us

Operation Just Cause: Lessons for Operations Other Than War, by Jennifer Taw, RAND Corporation, 1996, 55 pages.
http://www.rand.org/pubs/monograph_reports/MR569.html

SOF News Update for 20161218 – Iraq’ Golden Division, OSS veterans honored by Congress, Navy SEALs in Serbia, Navy SEAL for Interior secretary, Fox News video on ‘shadow warriors’, Navy SEALs and what Hollywood gets wrong, SOCEUR re-enacts D-Day parachute drops, Russian SOF in Aleppo, and more.

Iraq’s 1st Special Operations Brigade. The “Golden Division” (once called the “Golden Brigade” and “Dirty Division) is part of the Iraq’s Counter Terrorism Service (CTS). It is in the lead for the fight for Mosul – as it has been in the lead for the fight against the Islamic State for other cities of Iraq over the past two years. However, there is a price for being good. The Iraqi regime continues to overuse the Golden Division and its losses are appalling. Soon it will be – some say by the end of the Mosul fight- combat ineffective. So while Mosul will go down as a political and military victory there is concern of what unit will exist to keep the peace among the different factions of Iraqi political landscape. Read more in “How Iraq’s Army Could Defeat ISIS in Mosul – But Lose Control of the Country”, Politico Magazine, December 15, 2015.

Fox News Video on “Gray Zone”. Watch a short (2 min) video by Fox News on the U.S. shadow warriors fighting across the globe.
http://video.foxnews.com/v/5251445694001/

Russians Targeting UK with ‘Hybrid Warfare’. It appears that senior members of the United Kingdom government are getting concerned with some aggressive maneuvering on the part of the Russians. Read more in “Russia wages unconventional warfare on Britain”, The Weekend Australian, December 17, 2016.

Russian SOF in Aleppo. Russian special operations forces are heavily engaged in the ground fight for Aleppo, Syria. Read “The elite Russian special forces who took over Crimea are doing the same thing in Aleppo”, Business Insider, December 16, 2016.

Navy SEALs train with Serbian Unit. Members of U.S. Naval Special Warfare Unit 2 – assigned to Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) – spent two weeks on a Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) with the Serbian Special Anti-Terrorist Unit (SAJ) this past November / December. Read more in “Navy SEALs builds relations with Serbian forces”, DVIDS, December 15, 2016.

SOCEUR and D-Day Jumps. Over a year ago, in July 2015, special operations forces from Special Operations Command Europe conducted parachute jumps over Sainte-Mere-Eglise, France in an observance of the D-Day parachute drop 71 years earlier. Watch a little bit of history and some present day parachuting in this 3-min long video in SOCEUR D-Day Drops, DVIDS, posted 16 Dec 2016.

Navy SEAL to be Secretary of Department of Interior. A retired Navy SEAL and congressional representative from Montana has been selected to be the secretary of Interior by President-Elect Trump. “Who is Ryan Zinke?”, Voice of America, December 15, 2016.

OSS Veterans Honored by Congress. President Obama signed legislation that honors veterans of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) with the Congressional Gold Medal for their service and contributions during World War II. The OSS was the predecessor to the Central Intelligence Agency and the U.S. Army Special Forces. Read more in a news report by Augusta Free Press, Dec 16, 2016.

Hollywood, Movies, and SEALs. There’s lots of movies that have been made about the U.S. Navy SEALs. Some are near factual while others are . . . well, entertaining. Listen to “Former Navy SEALs reveal what Hollywood gets wrong about them”, Business Insider, December 17, 2016.

SOCSouth Members Recognized by Colombia. Three SOCSouth members received the “Military Medal” during a ceremony at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia for their efforts in supporting a Colombian military institute. DVIDS, Dec 6, 2016.

(Featured image at top from USSOCOM 2016 Factbook)

Special Operations Command South (SOCSouth) and 1-228th Aviation (Joint Task Force Bravo) recently conducted a training exercise with some specialized units of Belize. In late July the U.S. personnel worked with the Belize Special Assignment Group (BSAG) and Belize Coast Guard (BCG) executing Fast Rope Insertion and Extraction (FRIES), helicast operation, open water hoist training, and use of the Jacaobs Ladder. Read more in “1-228th AVN, SOCSOUTH enhance Belizean CTOC capabilities”, Joint Task Force – Bravo Public Affairs, August 3, 2016.

“ANTOFAGASTA, Chile – Multinational Special Operations Forces from Chile and the U.S. completed exercise Southern Star on July 28, 2016 amid Antofagasta, Chile’s arid desert plains and mountain sights along the Pacific coastline. The Chilean led exercise, commonly known as Estrella Austral in Spanish, is a capacity-building exercise that culminates months of training between Special Operations Command South assigned forces and their Chilean counterparts to enhance interoperability and build relationships among both countries’ militaries.”

The exercise took place over ten days in one of the world’s driest deserts. Training included mountaineering, airborne opns, med training, and more. Read the rest of the story in “US, Chile SOF partner during exercise Southern Star”, DVIDS, July 28, 2016.