Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras – Exercise CENTAM Guardian 2024 officially began on April 2 with a ceremony by Honduran, El Salvador, Guatemalan, and U.S. forces at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras.
The ceremony marked the start of the first phase of a multilateral exercise focused on foreign military partnerships and training. This year, Honduras will host this phase of the exercise, which aims to develop participants' interoperability, domain awareness, information sharing, and threat countering capabilities.
U.S. Ambassador to Honduras Laura Dogg and U.S. Southcom Training and Exercises Director Kevin Bostic attended the ceremony and recognized the efforts of exercise participants over the coming days.
“Regional security depends on the dedication of leaders and military personnel who are willing to work together in support of common goals,” Dogu said. “Interoperability between partner countries' militaries helps build and maintain regional stability while allowing citizens to participate peacefully in democratic processes.”
The exercise's 350 participants will undergo training in cyber defense, maritime operations, infantry operations, and medical emergency response procedures, strengthening the readiness and deterrence capabilities of all forces.
“With the completion of CENTAM Guardian 2024 Phase 1, the United States, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala will strengthen their partnership and interoperability to improve readiness across U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), Southern Army, Southern Marine Corps, and Joint Task Force Bravo. 7th Special Forces Group,” said Lt. Col. Ennis Bryant, chief exercise planner for CENTAM Guardian 24.
This year, US SOUTHCOM will coordinate CENTAM Guardian 24 with Large Scale Global Exercise 2024 (LSGE 24). LSGE 24 is a U.S. European Command coordinated exercise framework consisting of dozens of exercises across multiple commands designed to enhance agility and interoperability with allies and partners.
US SOUTHCOM is responsible for providing contingency planning, operations, and security cooperation in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.
For any questions regarding CENTAM Guardian 24, please contact US SOUTHCOM Public Affairs: Steven Mcloud, southcom.miami.sc-cc.list.pao-contact-us@mail.mil, (305) 437-1213.
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Photo date: April 2, 2024 Post date: April 3, 2024 11:17 Story ID: 467651 Location: SOTO CANO AIR BASE, HN Web views: 84 Downloads: 0 Public domain
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