Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH)

Located at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida, Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH) is one of the seven sub-unified commands in the Department of Defense (DoD) and operationally assigned to U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). It is a joint (service members from the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force) Special Operations headquarters that plans and executes special operations in Central & South America and the Caribbean. SOCSOUTH principally employs Special Operations Forces (SOF) provided by U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the Services' Special Operations Forces component commands. The Area of Responsibility (AOR) encompasses 31 countries & ten overseas territories of other nations, such as the U.K., France, and the Netherlands. More than 410 million people from varying cultures live in the region, with 25 languages and ten religions. SOCSOUTH is comprised of over 400 military service members, civilian employees, and contractor personnel.

SOCSOUTH has four subordinate commands: 112th Signal Detachment provides tactical communications support, which facilitates SOCSOUTH’s mission command responsibilities. Joint Special Operations Air Component South conducts planning, coordination, and mission command of all air operations and air assets. Advanced Operational Base - Central America/Caribbean is responsible for mission command of all U.S. SOF conducting operations in Central America (Honduras, El Salvador, and Panama), and the Caribbean (Dominican Republic, Guyana, and Jamaica). Advanced Operational Base - Andean Ridge is responsible for mission command of all U.S. SOF conducting operations in the Andean Ridge (Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador).

SOF units are formerly designated by the Secretary of Defense to conduct special operations and encompass small units in direct or indirect military actions focused on strategic or operational objectives. They require units with combinations of specialized personnel, equipment, training, and tactics that exceed conventional military forces’ routine capabilities. SOCSOUTH is the focal point for SOF operating in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility.