U.S. SOUTHCOM activates Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere to replace 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 allies and partners across the region, focusing on disrupting, dismantling, and defeating narcoterrorism networks. JTF-WHEM will integrate intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and multinational coordination, working with the 18 partner nations of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C). The task force is described as SOUTHCOM's 'action arm' to impose 'total systemic friction' against threats. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Kevin Jarrard has been selected to command the new task force, which builds on Operation Southern Spear's kinetic strikes and maritime interdiction operations.

Source

Army 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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