On September 8, under the direction of #SOUTHCOM#, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) forces successfully interdicted a floating refueling station supporting illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific. Intelligence confirmed the vessel's involvement with the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization. Individuals removed from the vessel have been transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. After clearing the vessel and disembarking the crew, U.S. forces sank it. JTF-WHEM continues to conduct precise and professional operations to dismantle the logistical networks fueling narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere. #A3C# #JTFWHEM# @DeptofWar @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

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

No Easy Days 📍Panama #marines# with #v32#, #lcf24#, participate in Jungle Operations Training Course - Panama. The course tested our Marines to execute jungle warfare tactics, maintain security, and operate effectively in realistic scenarios. #junglewarfare# #training# #24meu#

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

#Marines# with Littoral Combat Force-24 execute a Maritime Interdiction Operation while underway in the Pacific Ocean. U.S. military forces are deployed to the U.S. @Southcom area of responsibility in support of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, @DeptofWar-directed operations, and @POTUS' priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors and protect the homeland through continuous presence. #USMC# #SemperFi# #MEU# #Military#

Major blow to narco-traffickers: This @FuerzaAereaCol-led multinational air interdiction operation, with support to maritime interdiction efforts, resulted in the seizure of 4.5 tons of cocaine, 22 kilos of marijuana, two speedboats, three go-fast boats, and the apprehension of eight individuals. The United States supported the operation -- including @jiatfs and the @USCG --along with Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Guyana. The Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (AC3) is taking decisive action to defeat cartels and narco-terrorists in the Western Hemisphere. @DeptofWar @SecWar @USEmbassyBogota

Operation Southern Spear has disrupted trafficking networks, forced trafficker adaptations, removed dangerous narcoterrorists, and demonstrated that the United States will use EVERY lawful tool available to defend our Homeland and protect our communities

#MarineCorps# Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of the U.S. @Southcom, executes an operational site survey while underway in the Pacific Ocean. U.S. military forces are deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in support of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, @DeptofWar-directed operations, and @POTUS' priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors and protect the homeland through continuous presence. #Marines# #Military# #Defense#

A @USArmy UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter assigned to @JTF_Bravo performs a tactical flyover during the #PANAMAX26# distinguished visitors day demonstration at Panama City, Panama, Aug. 13, 2026. Multinational defense and security forces trained together during the Panamanian-hosted PANAMAX exercise. Held in Panama and the U.S., the exercise strengthened the collective capability of regional forces to safeguard the Panama Canal and maintain security and stability in the Western Hemisphere. #PeaceThroughStrength# #SOUTHCOM# @DeptofWar @SecWar @USArmyWHC @USEmbPan

Forging jungle warriors: Re-launched after nearly two decades, the Jungle Operations Training Course-Panama returned in 2025 to forge U.S. and partner nation forces capable of surviving, fighting, and winning in the jungle domain. The course is part of ongoing U.S.-Panamanian engagements that are strengthening regional security against shared threats and ensuring the protection of the Panama Canal. #SOUTHCOM# @USMC @MARFORSOUTH @USArmyWHC @USEmbPAN @USAenEspanol @DeptofWar @aeronavalpanama @SPIPanama @senafrontpanama

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