Ready day or night: A U.S. Marine with Combat Logistics Battalion 8, Littoral Combat Force-24, zeros an AN/PEQ-15 during a rifle range during a rifle range training on Camp Santiago Joint Training Center, Puerto Rico. U.S. military forces are deployed to the #SOUTHCOM# area of responsibility in support of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, @DeptofWar-directed operations, and the President’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors and protect the homeland through continuous presence. #JTFWHEM# @The24MEU @USMC @MARFORSOUTH @SecWar

Dismantling narco-trafficker networks: The Aug. 28 interdiction and sinking of a floating refueling station used for at-sea drug trafficking operations dealt a decisive blow to the logistical networks of narco-terrorists and cartels in the Western Hemisphere. U.S. Marines and Sailors of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, aboard USS San Antonio (LPD 17), led the interdiction in coordination with the Government of Ecuador. The Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) is committed to defeating narco-terrorists in the region. More: #A3C# #JTFWHEM# @SecWar @USMC @USNavy @USEmbassyEc @DefensaEc @The24MEU @DeptofWar @DeptofWar

The Navy-Marine Corps team of USS San Antonio (LPD 17), USS Gridley (DDG 101), and Littoral Combat Force-24 is taking the fight to the enemy and delivering decisive blows against narco-terrorist networks in the Western Hemisphere. U.S. military forces are deployed to the #SOUTHCOM# area of responsibility in support of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, @DeptofWar-directed operations, and the President’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors and protect the homeland through continuous presence. #JTFWHEM# @The24MEU @USMC @MARFORSOUTH @SecWar @USNavy @NAVSOUS4THFLT

A U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom helicopter crew chief with Littoral Combat Force-24 surveys the area during the Aug. 28 interdiction of a vessel operating as a floating refueling station for drug trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific. U.S. military forces are deployed to the #SOUTHCOM# area of responsibility in support of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, @DeptofWar-directed operations, and the President’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors and protect the homeland through continuous presence. #JTFWHEM# @The24MEU @USMC @MARFORSOUTH @SecWar @USNavy @NAVSOUS4THFLT

The Navy-Marine Corps team with USS San Antonio (LPD 17), USS Gridley (DDG 101), and Littoral Combat Force-24 provide unmatched precision, capability and lethality while supporting counter-cartel operations in the Pacific Ocean off South America. U.S. military forces are deployed to the #SOUTHCOM# area of responsibility in support of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, @DeptofWar-directed operations, and the President’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors and protect the homeland through continuous presence. #JTFWHEM# @The24MEU @USMC @MARFORSOUTH @SecWar @USNavy @NAVSOUS4THFLT

U.S. Marines with Littoral Combat Force-24 and U.S. Sailors with USS San Antonio (LPD 17) approach USS Gridley (DDG 101) during a Maritime Interdiction Operation Full Mission Profile while underway in the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 21, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the #SOUTHCOM# area of responsibility in support of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, @DeptofWar-directed operations, and the President’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors and protect the homeland through continuous presence. #JTFWHEM# @The24MEU @USMC @MARFORSOUTH @SecWar @USNavy @NAVSOUS4THFLT

"Today's interdiction and sinking of a floating refueling station used for at-sea drug trafficking operations dealt a direct blow to the logistics network fueling narco-terrorists and cartels in the Western Hemisphere. By severing this critical maritime node, our Joint Force — spearheaded by the precision and professionalism of our Marines and Sailors of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere aboard USS San Antonio — fractured a primary artery of this illicit logistics chain and sent an unmistakable message to narco-terrorists across the region." - #SOUTHCOM# Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan #A3C# #JTFWHEM# @DeptofWar @SecWar @USMC @USNavy @USEmbassyEc @DefensaEc @The24MEU

On Sept. 2, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM# Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, and in coordination and collaboration with the Government of Ecuador, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) successfully interdicted a vessel operating as a floating refueling station in support of illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations in international waters of the Eastern Pacific. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was operating in support of the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization. U.S. Marines and Sailors, launched from USS San Antonio (LPD 17), interdicted, boarded, searched, and cleared the vessel without incident. Individuals removed from the vessel were safely transferred to Ecuadorian Authorities. Once cleared, U.S. forces sank the vessel. This interdiction cuts off a critical node in the traffickers' logistics chain and advances the goals of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) and JTF-WHEM to dismantle narco-terrorist networks. The @DeptofWar and the A3C remain unwavering in their mission to defeat narco-terrorists in the Western Hemisphere and defend our homeland. "We are taking decisive action to dismantle and destroy sophisticated logistics networks used by narco-terrorists to traffic drugs and spread violence throughout the Western Hemisphere. This operation demonstrated the elite capabilities and precision of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, which is on watch in the region to apply total systemic friction on these networks." — SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan #A3C# #JTFWHEM# @SecWar @USMC @USNavy @USEmbassyEc @DefensaEc @The24MEU

🚨 BOOM: TRUMP AND HEGSETH JUST BLEW UP A FLOATING NARCO GAS STATION US Marines and Sailors surged from the USS San Antonio, interdicted and CLEARED the whole vessel, then blew it up 👏🏻 I voted for this! "This interdiction cuts off a critical node in the traffickers' logistics chain and advances the goals of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) and JTF-WHEM to dismantle narco-terrorist networks."

Operations against cartel designated organizations are back in swing with the second operation being announced by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) in just as many weeks. Like last week’s operation, at the direction of SOUTHCOM Commander General Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM), in coordination with the Ecuadorian government, interdicted a vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean operating as a refueling station supporting illicit at-sea drug trafficking efforts of the Los Choneros narcotics-terrorist organization. Per the release, sailors and U.S. Marines from the USS San Antonio (LPD-17) boarded and cleared the vessel, apprehended those aboard, and transferred them to Ecuadorian authorities. The vessel, per the video release, was subsequently destroyed.