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

Published Aug 6, 05:22 PM UTC

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U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has activated Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM), a new operational headquarters replacing Operation Southern Spear. Announced by Gen. Francis L. Donovan on August 6, 2026, the task force aims to synchronize U.S. military operations with 18 partner nations of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C). SOUTHCOM Media Relations Officer Steven McLoud stated JTF-WHEM will impose 'total systemic friction' against narcoterrorism networks, building on Southern Spear's kinetic strikes and maritime interdictions. The task force integrates intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and multinational coordination to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat transnational criminal organizations. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Kevin Jarrard has been selected to command the new task force, which also supports humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

Source

Navy TimesWestern

Original headline: SOUTHCOM replaces Southern Spear with Western Hemisphere task force targeting criminal networks

Original language: EN

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U.S. SOUTHCOM Activates Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere to Combat Narcoterrorism

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