US 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. The task force, announced by Gen. Francis L. Donovan on August 6, 2026, aims to synchronize U.S. military operations with allies and partners across the region. JTF-WHEM will coordinate with the 18 nations of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat narcoterrorism networks through expanded bilateral and multilateral cooperation in border security, countering threats, and protecting critical infrastructure. The task force integrates intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, operational planning, and multinational coordination. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Kevin Jarrard has been selected to command the new task force, which SOUTHCOM describes as its 'action arm' focused on imposing 'total systemic friction' against threats across the hemisphere.

Source

Air Force 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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