Service members assigned to the JTF-Bravo Medical Element arrived in Costa Rica yesterday, at the request of the Costa Rican government, to support a medical mission in Piedra Mesa de Telire, Talamanca. Stay tuned for more on this humanitarian mission!

Embajada de Estados Unidos en Costa Rica added 6 new photos — with Miriam Owens.
October 31 at 6:29pm

¡Llegó la misión humanitaria!

#Buenasnoticias Esta tarde llegaron a Limón los helicópteros y el personal médico del Comando Sur de Estados Unidos que brindarán... atención médica gratuita a los habitantes de Piedra Mesa de Telire, en Talamaca.
A lo largo de esta semana, 19 médicos estadounidenses y 30 de la Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social ofrecerán sus servicios profesionales en áreas como medicina preventiva, oftalmología, ginecología, pediatría y odontología.
El Ministro de Seguridad Pública, Gustavo Mata, dio la bienvenida a la misión, a la vez que agradeció la ayuda por parte del gobierno estadounidense.
Un grupo de estudiantes del centro educativo a Colina también dio la bienvenida a los especialistas y tuvieron la oportunidad acercarse a los helicópteros y conversar con los médicos.
Esta misión humanitaria incluye también servicios veterinarios.
Espere más #Buenasnoticias sobre este programa especial que, para el gobierno estadounidense, es una manera de estrechar aún más los lazos existentes entre nuestros países.

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The crew of #USCG Cutter Waesche marked the end of a record year in counterdrug operations offloading more than 39,000 pounds of seized cocaine, worth over $531 million, in San Diego today.

The counternarcotics operations are part of a U.S. government effort to combat and dismantle transnational organized crime networks responsible for increased violence and instability in the Western Hemisphere.

More information and imagery available here: goo.gl/x5fyHq

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U.S. Coast Guard
October 27 at 4:02pm

The crew of #USCG Cutter Waesche marked the end of a record year in counterdrug operations offloading more than 39,000 pounds of seized cocaine, worth over $531... million, in San Diego today.

The counternarcotics operations are part of a U.S. government effort to combat and dismantle transnational organized crime networks responsible for increased violence and instability in the Western Hemisphere.

More information and imagery available here: goo.gl/5h6Pzr

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Joint Task Force-Bravo
October 25 at 12:08pm

More than 200 Joint Task Force-Bravo and Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force South personnel worked around the clock for 15 days providing airlift supp...ort carrying personnel and relief supplies to Hurricane Matthew-stricken Haiti. A combination of HH-53 Super Stallion, HH-60 Black Hawk, and CH-47 Chinook helicopters deployed to Haiti from Soto Cano starting Oct. 5. The extensive operation began wrapping up with personnel and cargo returning to SCAB beginning Oct. 16 and ended with all people and equipment back Oct. 20.

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BUENOS AIRES -- U.S. Southern Command Senior Enlisted Leaders visited Argentina Oct. 19 to participate in a Senior Non-commissioned Officer/Petty Officer leader engagement there. The goal of the event was to learn about each other's NCO/PO corps and to work toward a way ahead for NCO/PO development. During the two-day engagement, SOUTHCOM senior enlisted leaders participated in several discussions which were oriented to stimulate conversation with their Argentinian counterparts, and to assist in improving NCO/PO development in both nations. (Photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Clifton McDonald, U.S. Southern Command)

U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)'s photo.
U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)'s photo.

Great insight from our commander on the security challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Admiral: Networked Threats Pose Significant Challenge' to Western Hemisphere
Navy Adm. Kurt W. Tidd, commander of U.S. Southern Command, said networked threats in Latin America pose a danger to U.S. national security and erode stability in the region.
defense.gov
U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)'s photo.

Update: US military support to Hurricane Matthew relief in Haiti.

As of Oct. 17, Joint Task Force-Matthew helicopters have delivered more than 528,000 pounds (239 metric tons) of relief commodities (aid and supplies) to areas devastated by Hurricane Matthew.

•More than 2,000 personnel and 11 helicopters aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) continue to support USAID-led relief operations in Haiti.

...

•Iwo Jima is operating in Haitian waters between Port-au-Prince and areas affected by Hurricane Matthew in southwestern Haiti. Iwo Jima is one of the largest amphibious ships in the world and provides greater capabilities and flexibility to the task force.

•More than 300 task force and logistics support personnel remain on the ground in Haiti and will depart in the coming days.

Daily mission updates posted at http://ow.ly/jQSQ304Y5Pv

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TODAY AT 10 a.m. EST: SOUTHCOM commander, Admiral Kurt W. Tidd, will take part in a Maritime Security Dialogue with the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the United States Naval Institute (USNI). The Maritime Security Dialogue brings together CSIS and USNI, two of the nation's most respected non-partisan institutions.

Watch live at http://www.defense.gov/live5

OCT18
Maritime Security Dialogue with Admiral Kurt Tidd
Tue 10:00 AM EDTWashington
2 people interested · 2 people going
24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
October 11

Fly with the Marines of the 24th MEU as they deliver humanitarian aid supplies to a remote village in Haiti hit hard by Hurricane Matthew Oct 12, 2016. Service...members from #SouthCOM loaded #USAID supplies onto waiting 24 MEU CH-53E Super Stallions. Eleven 24 MEU Marines then unloaded the aircraft, delivering vital aid to Hatian nationals. The 24th MEU trains for and executes a variety of crisis response missions. These Marines are responding to the government of the Republic of Haiti's request for aid following Hurricane Matthew, a category IV storm that made landfall last week causing extensive damage across the country.

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Update: US military support to Hurricane Matthew relief in Haiti.

As of Oct. 16, Joint Task Force-Matthew helicopters have delivered more than 507,000 pounds (230 metric tons) of relief commodities (aid and supplies) to areas devastated by Hurricane Matthew.

•Navy Rear Adm. Cedric Pringle has transfered command of Joint Task Force-Matthew support to USAID-led relief operations to Navy Rear Adm. Roy Kitchener, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 2, deployed aboard the amp...hibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7).

•The nine helicopters and task force personnel who first arrived on the ground in Haiti will begin to redeploy today and return to their home stations. Some tasks previously performed by the task force are either completed or will be assumed by civilian disaster assistance experts and agencies in Haiti.

•Iwo Jima -- with 11 embarked aircraft -- continues military support to USAID-led relief operations. The ship is operating in Haitian waters between Port-au-Prince and areas affected by Hurricane Matthew in southwestern Haiti. Iwo Jima is one of the largest amphibious ships in the world and provides greater capabilities and flexibility to the task force.

Daily mission updates posted at http://ow.ly/jQSQ304Y5Pv

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It takes teamwork and coordination to make sure Haitians affected by #HurricaneMatthew get the help they need. That's why we're working with amazing partners like IOM - UN Migration Agency, ACTED, World Food Programme, Mission of Hope: Haiti, Catholic Relief Services, Société Nationale de la Croix-Rouge Haïtienne, as well with U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) to transport and distribute critical relief supplies to communities hit hard by the storm.

Photo credits: ACTED, Sgt. Ian Ferro, U.S. Marine Corps

Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance's photo.
Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance's photo.
Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance's photo.
Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance added 3 new photos.
October 16 at 7:31am

It takes teamwork and coordination to make sure Haitians affected by #HurricaneMatthew get the help they need. That's why we're working with amazing partners li...ke IOM - UN Migration Agency, ACTED, World Food Programme, Mission of Hope: Haiti, Catholic Relief Services, Société Nationale de la Croix-Rouge Haïtienne, as well with U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) to transport and distribute critical relief supplies to communities hit hard by the storm.

Photo credits: ACTED, Sgt. Ian Ferro, U.S. Marine Corps

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Update: US military support to Hurricane Matthew relief in Haiti.

- As of Oct. 15, Joint Task Force-Matthew helicopters have delivered more than 478,000 pounds of aid.

- More than 400 task force personnel are on the ground in Haiti.

...

- 20 aircraft (helicopters and MV22 Ospreys) are assigned to provide airlift support.

- The amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) continues to support relief operations. Iwo Jima is one of the largest amphibious ships in the world and brings greater capabilities and flexibility to the task force.

Daily mission updates posted at http://ow.ly/jQSQ304Y5Pv

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The military is not just a fighting force; it also responds to natural disasters around the country and the world.

U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
October 14 at 3:00pm

The military is not just a fighting force; it also responds to natural disasters around the country and the world.

VIDEO: United States Marines with Wing Support Detachment 31, airlift food and supplies aboard a CH-53E Super Stallion to a landing zone in Plaisance-du-Sud, Haiti. The Marines are a part of Joint Task Force-Matthew, a U.S. Southern Command-directed team that is currently supporting relief efforts in Haiti after Hurricane Matthew (US Air Force video by SSgt Michelle Di Ciolli).

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Daily Update: US military support to Hurricane Matthew relief in Haiti.

Highlights:
- As of Oct. 14, Joint Task Force-Matthew helicopters have delivered more than 426,000 pounds of relief commodities (aid and supplies) to areas devastated by Hurricane Matthew.

...

- 20 aircraft (helicopters and MV22 Ospreys) are assigned to provide airlift support.

- The amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) will begin operations today.

- USS Mesa Verde -- on station in Haiti since Sunday -- has transferred aircraft, equipment and associated personnel assigned for relief efforts to Iwo Jima. Mesa Verde is slated to depart Haiti today to support other operational commitments.

- Iwo Jima is one of the largest amphibious ships in the world and brings greater capabilities to the task force.

Daily mission updates posted at http://ow.ly/jQSQ304Y5Pv

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Haiti Relief: Service members work with Haitians to distribute aid to areas devastated by Hurricane Matthew.

'U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Adam Stanley, a crew chief with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Southern Command, deployed in support of Joint Task Force Matthew, looks out of the rear hatch of a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter at the damage done by Hurricane Matthew at Les Anglais, Haiti, Oct. 13, 2016. After six days of supply drop operations, Joint Task Force Matthew has delivered over 349,000 pounds of supplies utilizing CH-53E Super Stallion and CH-47 Chinook helicopters. Joint Task Force Matthew, a U.S. Southern Command-directed team, is comprised of Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen deployed to Port-au-Prince at the request of the government of Haiti to support the U.S. Agency for International Development's disaster relief operations in Haiti during the critical early stages after the island country was struck by Hurricane Matthew. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kimberly Aguirre)'
'U.S. service members and citizens of Beaumont, Haiti, unload supplies from a CH-47 Chinook Oct. 13, 2016. Service members supporting Joint Task Force Matthew have delivered more than 440 tons of supplies to Haitians affected by Hurricane Matthew. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Russ Scalf)'
'U.S. service members and citizens of Beaumont, Haiti, unload supplies from a CH-47 Chinook Oct. 13, 2016. Service members supporting Joint Task Force Matthew have delivered more than 440 tons of supplies to Haitians affected by Hurricane Matthew. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Russ Scalf)'
'Marine Col. Thomas Prentice, commanding officer of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Southern Command, speaks with Col. Ryan S. Rideout, commanding officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit about ongoing relief operations in Haiti. -Photo by Staff Sgt. Robert Durham'

Daily Update: US military Hurricane Matthew relief in Haiti.

Highlights:
- As of Oct. 12, Joint Task Force-Matthew helicopters have delivered more than 349,000 pounds of relief commodities (aid and supplies) to areas devastated by Hurricane Matthew.

...

- More than 400 task force personnel are on the ground in Haiti.

- 20 aircraft (helicopters and MV22 Ospreys) are assigned to provide airlift support.

- USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) arrived off Haiti yesterday and is scheduled to start operations today. USS Mesa Verde -- on station in Haiti since Sunday -- is transferring aircraft, equipment and associated personnel assigned for relief efforts to Iwo Jima. Once Iwo Jima begins operations, Mesa Verde will depart to support other operational commitments. Iwo Jima is one of the largest amphibious ships in the world and brings greater capabilities to the task force.

Daily mission updates posted at http://ow.ly/jQSQ304Y5Pv

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Sailor Returns To Haiti To Deliver Aid Again
Petty Officer William Holland, assigned to the amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), explains the use of rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIB) as part of Joint Task Force-Matthew tasking. Holland was part of the 2010 disaster relief effort to Haiti and will use lessons learned during ...
defense.gov

Soldiers & Marines continue delivering aid to Hurricane Matthew-stricken areas in Haiti.

'A U.S. Army UH-60L Blackhawk returns from a humanitarian aid drop near Jeremie, Haiti, Oct. 12, 2106. The U.S. relief effort is coordinated by the Dept. of State and USAID.(U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Josh Kinney)'
'U.S. service members load rice onto a CH-47, Oct. 12, 2016 in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. The service members are working alongside Haitian citizens to provide relief after the nation was struck by Hurricane Matthew. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Josh Kinney)'
'Service members from Joint Task Force Matthew stack bags of rice in Dame Marie, Haiti during a supply drop to the areas affected by Hurricane Matthew October 12, 2016. After five days of supply drop operations; JTF Matthew has delivered over 116 metric tons of supplies utilizing CH-53E Super Stallion and CH-47 Chinook helicopters. JTF Matthew, a U.S. Southern Command-directed team, is comprised of Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen deployed to Port-au-Prince at the request of the Government of Haiti on a mission to provide humanitarian and disaster relief assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Adwin Esters/Released)'

Daily Update: US military Hurricane Matthew relief in Haiti.

Highlights:
- As of Oct. 12, Joint Task Force-Matthew helicopters have delivered more than 255,000 pounds of relief commodities (aid and supplies) to areas devastated by Hurricane Matthew.

...

- More than 400 task force personnel and 12 helicopters are on the ground in Haiti.

- The amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) is scheduled to arrive in Haitian waters today. Iwo Jima brings more than 500 Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, aircraft -- including four MV22 Ospreys -- and 225 pallets of supplies to support the relief effort. Mesa Verde will transfer aircraft, equipment and associated personnel assigned for relief efforts to Iwo Jima.

- Once Iwo Jima begins operations, Mesa Verde will depart to support other operational commitments. Iwo Jima is one of the largest amphibious ships in the world and brings greater capabilities to the task force.-

Daily mission updates posted at http://ow.ly/jQSQ304Y5Pv

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