United States Southern Command

• Establishment Date: United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) was officially established on June 6, 1963 as United States Southern Command, evolving from its predecessor, the United States Caribbean Command (activated in 1947). • Area of Responsibility: USSOUTHCOM’s area of responsibility covers 31 countries and 16 dependencies and areas of special sovereignty in Central and South America and the Caribbean, encompassing more than 16 million square miles. • Headquarters Moves: The command was originally headquartered in Quarry Heights, Panama. After the implementation of the Panama Canal Treaties, it relocated to Miami, Florida, in 1997. • Key Role in Operation Just Cause: USSOUTHCOM played a pivotal role in Operation Just Cause in 1989, which aimed to remove Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega from power. • Multi-National Exercises: The command organizes and leads numerous multinational exercises, such as PANAMAX and UNITAS, fostering cooperation and interoperability with partner nations in the region. • Counter-Narcotics Mission: A core focus of USSOUTHCOM is countering illicit trafficking, especially in drugs, as the region is a major transit zone for narcotics destined for the United States. • Humanitarian Assistance: Beyond military operations, USSOUTHCOM is heavily involved in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, such as after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, where it led the U.S. military response. • Women in Leadership: In 2016, Admiral Michelle J. Howard became the first woman to lead a U.S. combatant command when she was appointed as the commander of USSOUTHCOM. • Guantanamo Bay Oversight: USSOUTHCOM oversees U.S. military operations at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, including the detention facility, medical, and logistical support. • Focus on Security Cooperation: USSOUTHCOM emphasizes building partner nation capacity through security cooperation, training, and education, including supporting programs like the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC).