MIAMI, Fla. – U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced the establishment of a new Joint Task Force (JTF) under II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) today to synchronize and augment counter-narcotics efforts across the Western Hemisphere.
The JTF will integrate the expeditionary capabilities of II MEF with Joint Force and U.S. interagency partners, represented by the Homeland Security Task Force. “Transnational criminal organizations threaten the security, prosperity, and health of our hemisphere,” said Adm. Alvin Holsey, Commander, SOUTHCOM. “By forming a JTF around II MEF headquarters, we enhance our ability to detect, disrupt, and dismantle illicit trafficking networks faster and at greater depth – together with our U.S. and partner-nation counterparts.”
Read more…
Source: U.S. Sothern Command
Sign up for the Counter-IED Report Newsletters
The latest news and insights delivered right to your inbox
Related:
- Mexican drug cartels throwing explosives along Texas southern border
October 25, 2023
Mexican drug cartel operatives continue to engage in violent acts along the southern border of Texas near the Rio Grande, as new video shows them throwing explosives as an intimidation tactic, authorities say. The Texas Department of Public Safety posted video to social media on Wednesday showing both thermal and non-thermal views of a group of ...
- JBSA Explosive Ordnance Disposal Holds Inaugural Joint Field Training Exercise
October 24, 2023
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-CAMP BULLIS, Texas – Joint Base San Antonio’s 902nd Civil Engineer Squadron and 433rd CES held the inaugural 2023 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Texas Regional Field Training Exercise late last month with members from Dyess Air Force Base’s 7th CES and Barksdale AFB’s 2nd CES. “We were talking about the need to have quality ...
- IAEA: International Exercise Builds Resilience for Emergency Preparedness
October 23, 2023
Resilient and agile response arrangements are an essential component of countries’ emergency response frameworks, as decisions made in the early stages of an emergency can be instrumental in saving lives. On 3 October 2023, the IAEA together with 62 countries and international organizations came together to simulate a global response to a nuclear emergency and examine ...
- EOD Mobile Unit Three Changes Command
October 20, 2023
CORONADO, Calif. – Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 3 welcomed its newest leader during a change-of-command ceremony at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif., Oct. 20. Cmdr. Warren Fogler relieved Cmdr. Andrew Serfass in front of friends, family members, and EODMU-3 personnel as part of an outdoor ceremony at the unit’s headquarters. Serfass took command of ...
- North Carolina: TSA opens new security checkpoint at Charlotte Douglas International Airport
October 20, 2023
Officials with Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today previewed the new security checkpoint in the airport terminal. Checkpoint 1, which is located at the west end of the new terminal lobby, will feature eight lanes to screen departing travelers. “We are thrilled to begin conducting security screening operations in Checkpoint ...
- Robot Range Enhancements Unveiled at the Fall DoD EODT&T Program Board Meeting
October 19, 2023
Indian Head, Maryland – Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division’s (NSWC IHD) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technology Center (EODTECHCEN) hosted the fall EOD Technology and Technical (EODT&T) Program Board meeting, September 28. Members of the board, comprised of rear admirals, brigadier generals, major generals and other high-ranking officials from each of the four services were ...
- California man detonates explosive-filled teddy bear in parking lot
October 19, 2023
A man in California was arrested after he was allegedly caught on surveillance video placing a fluffy teddy bear, filled with explosives, in a parking lot and detonating it. The San Bernardino Police Department said officers responded to a possible explosive device inside a teddy bear that was detonated in front of a business on Wednesday afternoon. Read ...
- Drones target US troops in Iraq, causing minor injuries
October 19, 2023
The first attack early on Wednesday involved two one-way drones that targeted al-Asad base, two U.S. officials said. One of the drones was intercepted but still managed to explode, causing the minor injuries and damaging some equipment. Some U.S. troops were being evaluated for possible traumatic brain injury, one of the officials said. The second drone ...
- Navy offering up to $100K in EOD officer retention bonuses
October 16, 2023
The Navy is offering big bucks to some explosive ordnance disposal officers — if they remain in the service for a few more years. Under a new policy, the Navy is now breaking up its incentives into two-year increments, while also offering larger amounts of cash to those who agree to four more years of service ...
- U.S. Army Explosives Forensics Stakeholders Meet to Collaborate on Future Defense Capabilities
October 12, 2023
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD – The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM CBC) recently hosted the first Stakeholder Engagement Day for the Army Explosives Forensics program. This program aims to develop and augment sensor technologies for the semi-autonomous detection of explosives and other chemical hazards, supported by over 40 scientists and engineers ...
- Florida: Man hid firework mortars with shrapnel attached inside Eustis home before assaulting woman
October 11, 2023
Lake County deputies said a man who fled after assaulting a woman in Eustis on Sunday hid improvised explosive devices inside the home before he left. The sheriff’s Office said David Flores, 37, was taken into custody early Wednesday in Sorrento. And on Wednesday afternoon, deputies said they received a call from the home on Bates ...
- Minnesota: Advanced EOD Conventional Course provides confidence and validation
October 11, 2023
The 148th Fighter Wing Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Flight created and hosted an advanced conventional course for 30 technicians at the Minnesota National Guard’s Camp Ripley Training Center, Little Falls, Minn, Sept. 18-22, 2023. The advanced course focused on the five lines of effort required to execute EOD’s strategic vision to include restore readiness, invest in ...
- NATO bomb disposal training now crucial part of Ukraine military support
October 9, 2023
An annual exercise aimed at showing recruits how to get rid of explosive devices took part in Iceland. A NATO mission training soldiers in bomb disposal, used in conflicts throughout the world, is now a crucial part of the multi-national exercises supporting the Ukrainian military. “Here we’re trying to give all the EOD teams the experience ...
- U.S. 5th Fleet Enhances Middle East Maritime Security with Unmanned Capabilities
October 6, 2023
MANAMA, Bahrain – Last month, naval forces in the Middle East region successfully integrated unmanned platforms with traditionally crewed ships and aircraft to conduct enhanced maritime security operations in the waters surrounding the Arabian Peninsula. Seven task forces falling under U.S. 5th Fleet integrated 12 different unmanned platforms with manned ships for “manned-unmanned teaming” operations, tracking ...
- Ohio: Firefighter makes history as Cincinnati’s first female bomb technician
October 4, 2023
More people will climb Mount Everest this year than get a highly dangerous certification. The nation’s only hazardous devices school graduates 400 people a year, very few are women. One of those female graduates is making history in Cincinnati. “We were running real life scenarios multiple times a day, two in the morning, two in the ...