U.S. Army South – A Brief History

U.S. Army South was established in December 1986 with headquarters located at Fort Clayton, Panama which was subsequently relocated in August 1999 to Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico and finally to Fort Sam Houston, Texas in September 2002.

Since the 1990s U.S. Army South has transformed from an Army command focused almost exclusively on the Panama Canal to one with a much larger role in the region—enhancing hemispheric security by building strong relationships, enhancing mutual capabilities, and improving interoperability with the armies and security forces of Central and South America and the Caribbean.

In addition to PANAMAX, U.S. Army South participates in army-to-army exercises, counter drug operations, peace keeping missions, humanitarian missions, disaster relief, senior leader engagements and subject matter expert exchanges and training with partner nations.

U.S. Army South can conduct contigency operations and a variety of missions, which include dealing with conventional threats, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; and supporting civil authorities in countering illicit trafficking and transnational organized crime. U.S. Army South exercises military command and control of all assigned personnel and units, and represents the U.S. Southern Command with respect to Army matters in the region.

1904-1914:  ICC / Panama Canal Guard

• On Mar. 8, 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed an Isthmian Canal Commission (ICC), composed primarily of Army officers, to govern the Canal Zone and to report directly to the Secretary of War.
• In 1911 the U.S. Army began building defensive fortifications - to include Forts DeLesseps, Randolph and Sherman on the Atlantic side, and Forts Amador and Grant on the Pacific side.
• On Oct. 4, 1911, a regiment of the U.S. Army 10th Infantry arrived at Camp E.S. Otis. These troops, along with infantry, cavalry as well as a Marine battalion, fell under the control of the ICC, and became known as the Panama Canal Guard.

1914-1917: U.S. Troops - Panama Canal Zone

• At the end of 1914, the Panama Canal Guard was redesignated U.S. Troops - Panama Canal Zone

1917-1947: U.S. Army Panama Canal Department

• On July 1, 1917, the Panama Canal Department was established as a separate geographic command with headquarters at Quarry Heights, Panama. Units included the 19th Brigade, composed of the 14th and 33rd Infantry, the 42nd Field Artillery, the 11th Engineers, and special troops.
• On Feb. 10, 1941, the Caribbean Defense Command (CDC) became the senior Army headquarters in the region, assuming operational responsibility over air and naval forces assigned in its area of operations.

1947-1963: U.S. Army Caribbean

• In December 1946, President Truman approved a comprehensive system of military commands that put responsibility for military operations in various geographical areas in the hands of a single commander. U.S. Caribbean Command was designated on Nov. 1, 1947.
• On Nov. 15, 1947, the Panama Canal Department became U.S. Army Caribbean (USARCARIB), headquartered at Fort Amador.

1963-1986: U.S. Army Forces Southern Command

• On June 6, 1963, the U.S. Caribbean Command became U.S. Southern Command 1986-Present: U.S. Army South

1986: U.S. Army South

• On Dec. 4, 1986, U.S. Army South was activated as a Major Army Command and the Army component of USSOUTHCOM

1999: Relocation

• U.S. Army South relocated to Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico.

2003: Relocation

• U.S. Army South relocated to its present location at Fort Sam Houston, Texas - Joint Base San Antonio.

2006 - 2008: Designation and Expansion of Responsibilities:

• U.S. Army South became an Army Service Component Command (ASCC). The command expanded its size and capabilities to include an Operation Command Post and integrated Sixth U.S. Army making it capable of forming or joining a task force, which it successfully executed for Operation Unified Response and Joint Task Force-Haiti in 2010.

Former U.S. Army South Commanding Generals