U.S. Southern Command activates Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, replacing Operation Southern Spear

Published Aug 6, 05:22 PM UTC

U.S. Southern Command has activated Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM), a new operational headquarters replacing Operation Southern Spear. The task force aims to synchronize U.S. military operations with allies and partners across the region, focusing on disrupting, dismantling, and defeating narcoterrorism networks. Gen. Francis L. Donovan, SOUTHCOM commander, described JTF-WHEM as a purpose-built joint task force that will integrate military capabilities with the 18 partner nations of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C). The task force will coordinate intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, operational planning, and multinational coordination. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Kevin Jarrard has been selected to command the new task force. SOUTHCOM officials emphasized that JTF-WHEM represents an evolution from Operation Southern Spear, which employed precise kinetic strikes and maritime interdiction operations, by advancing a whole-of-government, multinational approach to impose 'total systemic friction' against threats across the hemisphere.