News
Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, gives Chilean Navy Capt. Juan Pablo Villanueva an award at the final ceremony of exercise Panamax 2026. PANAMAX is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored exercise focused on strengthening hemispheric command and control and enhancing regional cooperation to secure the Western Hemisphere. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class David Keenan)

Aug. 13, 2026

Exercise PANAMAX 2026 Concludes in Mayport, Florida

MAYPORT, Fla. — U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet completed the Combined Force Maritime Component Command (CFMCC) portion of the annual exercise PANAMAX, Aug. 3-12. This portion of the exercise helped provide maritime-focused interoperability training for the U.S. and participating multinational staffs, and build participating nation capability to plan and execute operations.

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Francis L. Donovan, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, speaks to U.S. Sailors on the aft missile deck of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) as it travels from the Caribbean Sea to the Eastern Pacific through the Panama Canal, August 9, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in support of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, Department of War-directed operations, and the President’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors and protect the homeland through continuous presence. (U.S. Navy photo)

Aug. 10, 2026

SOUTHCOM leadership transits Panama Canal aboard USS Gridley

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Francis L. Donovan, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, embarked aboard Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) as it traveled from the Caribbean Sea to the Eastern Pacific through the Panama Canal.

The official logo of Exercise PANAMAX 2026. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet is hosting the Combined Force Maritime Component Command (CFMCC) portion of the annual exercise from Aug. 3-12, 2026. Sponsored by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), PANAMAX 2026 provides crucial training opportunities for partner nations to build capabilities for planning and conducting complex multinational operations, enabling allies to develop and implement standard operating procedures in response to asymmetric and conventional threats. (U.S. Navy graphic/Released)

Aug. 4, 2026

U.S. 4th Fleet Hosts Multinational Forces for PANAMAX 2026

MAYPORT, Fla. — U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet is hosting the Combined Force Maritime Component Command (CFMCC) portion of the annual exercise PANAMAX from Aug. 3-12. Exercise PANAMAX 2026 is a U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)-sponsored exercise that provides crucial training opportunities for partner nations to build the capability to plan and conduct complex multinational operations. PANAMAX enables allies and partner nations to advance the development and implementation of standard operating procedures for multinational operations. Under multiple scenarios involving both asymmetric and conventional threats, coalition forces will work together in support of shared regional interests.

San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17) sails towards the port of La Guaira, Venezuela, July 9, 2026. At the direction of U.S. Southern Command, assigned U.S. military forces are supporting Department of State-led U.S. disaster assistance to the people of Venezuela in the aftermath of the June 24, 2026, earthquakes. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

July 10, 2026

USS San Antonio Assumes Relief Mission in Venezuela

VENEZUELA — Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to ongoing disaster relief efforts, the amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17) arrived pierside in La Guaira on Thursday, July 9, 2026. The San Antonio seamlessly relieved the USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) as the primary maritime component center in support of the Department of State-led humanitarian assistance mission following the devastating June 24 earthquakes.

At the direction of U.S. Southern Command, assigned U.S. military forces are supporting Department of State-led U.S. disaster assistance to the people of Venezuela in the aftermath of the June 24, 2026, earthquakes.

July 2, 2026

U.S. Navy Ships Support Disaster Relief Operations in Venezuela

La Guaira, Venezuela — At the direction of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and the Department of War, assigned U.S. military forces are actively supporting Department of State-led disaster assistance to the people of Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes on June 24. The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) and Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15) have arrived in the region to provide rapid, life-saving humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

Navy Quartermaster Senior Chief Benjamin Richards shifts colors on the mast of Nimitz-class aircraft USS Nimitz (CVN 68) after pulling pierside at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida, June 16, 2026. Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 2nd Fleet area of operations as part of a scheduled homeport shift to Norfolk, Virginia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jaron Wills)

June 17, 2026

USS Nimitz Concludes Southern Seas 2026 Deployment

MAYPORT, Fla. — The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and its strike group successfully completed their highly anticipated deployment to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Southern Seas 2026.

A Vanilla unmanned aerial system (UAS), from the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, takes flight during the annual Fleet Experimentation (FLEX) 2026 event in Key West, Florida, April 26, 2026.

June 3, 2026

Navy’s unmanned vessels key to $81 million cocaine seizure in Caribbean

MAYPORT, Fla. — U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet’s investment in advanced robotic and autonomous systems proved highly effective in a recent counter-drug operation, leading to the seizure of 877 kilograms of cocaine in the Central Caribbean.

Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, addresses Argentine Sailors aboard MEKO 360H2-class destroyer ARA La Argentina (D 11) during a ship tour at Puerto Belgrano Naval Base, Argentina, May 18, 2026.

May 27, 2026

U.S. 4th Fleet Commander Strengthens Maritime Partnership During Argentina Visit

PUERTO BELGRANO NAVAL BASE, Argentina — Senior naval leaders from the United States and Argentina convened at Puerto Belgrano Naval Base, Argentina from May 18-22, 2026, for tri-service Maritime Staff Talks, reaffirming partnerships and outlining a path for future collaboration in cybersecurity and the maritime domain.

U.S. Marine Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command and Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, along with senior executive services representatives and partner nation officials stand for a group photo during FLEX 2026 on April 29, 2026.

May 1, 2026

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet Completes FLEX in Key West

KEY WEST, Fla. — U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. 4th Fleet (USNAVSOUTH/4th Fleet) successfully concluded its annual Fleet Experimentation (FLEX) event from April 24-30. The exercise showcased the powerful integration of unmanned systems and artificial intelligence in the fight against transnational organized crime.

Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, left, signs a memorandum of agreement as Vice Adm. Juan Ricardo Rozo Obregón, commander of the Colombian Navy, observes during the United States - Colombia Maritime Staff Talks closing ceremony March 27, 2026 in Cartagena, Colombia. Sardiello, led the U.S. delegation for the annual Maritime Staff Talks, reaffirming the enduring partnership between the two nations and outlining a path for future collaboration in the maritime domain. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet serves as a trusted maritime partner for Caribbean, Central, and South American maritime forces, working to promote unity, security, and stability throughout the region.

March 30, 2026

U.S. and Colombian Navies Reinforce Partnership at Maritime Staff Talks

CARTAGENA, Colombia — Senior naval leaders from the United States and Colombia convened in Cartagena from March 24-27, 2026 for the annual Maritime Staff Talks (MST), reaffirming the enduring partnership between the two nations and outlining a path for future collaboration in the maritime domain.

Follow us on Facebook