A U.S. Marine with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Littoral Combat Force-24, fires an M4 service rifle during a skills evaluation event at Camp Santiago Joint Training Center, Puerto Rico, Sept. 22, 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. #JTFWHEM# @The24MEU @USMC @MARFORSOUTH @SecWar

Combat-ready: A U.S. Marine with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Littoral Combat Force-24, fires an M4 service rifle during a skills evaluation event at Camp Santiago Joint Training Center, Puerto Rico, Sept. 22, 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. #JTFWHEM# @The24MEU @USMC @MARFORSOUTH @SecWar

Drone warfare: a decisive edge on the battlefield. A U.S. Marine with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Littoral Combat Force-24, fires a switchblade 300 drone during a drone qualifications event at Camp Santiago Joint Training Center, Puerto Rico, Sept. 25, 2026. The lightweight Switchblade 300 provides small tactical units a tactical advantage by delivering beyond-line-of-sight precision strike capability in under two minutes. #SOUTHCOM#'s Autonomous Warfare Command (SAWC) integrates people, autonomous and unmanned systems, data, and communications to deliver decisive capabilities around supported-command requirements—creating a continuous decision and operational advantage. 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. #JTFWHEM# @The24MEU @USMC @MARFORSOUTH @SecWar

On point and mission-ready: A U.S. Marine with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Littoral Combat Force-24, fires an M4 service rifle during a skills evaluation event at Camp Santiago Joint Training Center, Puerto Rico, Sept. 22, 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. #JTFWHEM# @The24MEU @USMC @MARFORSOUTH @SecWar

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