Military Base Honduras - Joint Task Force Bravo's 1-228th Aviation Regiment, along with the 7th Special Forces Group, trains Special Forces members from El Salvador with a helocast and quick rope deployment system for paradop operations in Ilopango, El Salvador. (Senior Airman Destiny Sweeney/Air Force One)
For the past four decades, a small outpost in Honduras has mixed U.S. military forces, with support from aid agencies, and running a Swiss Army knife-style operation of medical aid, disaster relief and military training for Latin American allies.
Military Base Honduras
Joint Task Force Bravo includes between 500 and 1,500 US troops at Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras and employs permanent personnel, rotating guardsmen and reservists for its mission in the region.
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Army Col. Stephen Barry recently spoke with Army Times about the task force's mission and how it fits with U.S. Southern Command's increased focus on Central and South America.
Barry is from Hamilton, New Jersey and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1996. Most of his career was spent in army and cavalry units. During his career he was deployed several times in Germany, Macedonia, Kosovo and Iraq.
His most recent operational assignment was from 2014 to 2015 at Fort Carson, Colorado with the 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Stryker Squadron, 4th Infantry Division, 4th Infantry Division. Between that command and this summer's task force deployment, he served on Joint Staff J5 and later as director of strategic assessment and director of integration at Georgetown University's Army War College.
A: Now there are about 1500 troops here. A task force can grow and shrink depending on what's going on. We have around 500 to 600 employees organically. It has a medical component, an air force and a joint defense force. We currently have three different Army National Guard battalions operating in the region. We provide them with resources. There are about 300 people in the main task force to work with partners and fight the disaster. They are always listed here. Mainly Army and Air Force and some Navy. At least two or three services are always shown.
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A: We are here to do disaster relief, cyclone, earthquake, security etc. We use our helicopters to support and coordinate the operation. Many partner countries would like this help and do not have those assets. We have no lethal or kinetic force. We have more than that by helping to share information with our partners. If authorized by Congress, we have the information to keep the nation safe.
For example, last year Panama asked Colombia for help in dealing with drug traffickers. The task force sent several million tons of supplies to set up a patrol base so their patrols could travel and stop drug trafficking. We have to wait for them to ask, Hey, can you help me do this? If the authorities granted by Congress can do so. But we do not directly crush.
A: A lot of teamwork involved building relationships and I worked on the joint staff. Task Force was one of my top choices on the previous command board because it's a practical command. If you look at past commanders, they were selected for their leadership experience and problem-solving ability. The Army selects combat weapons used by advanced soldiers in operational environments. I have experience working with Tanks, Bradley, Stryker and Helicopters and other aviation. You will become a strategic leader as you move from the tactical field to the fleet and beyond.
A: We are the only assigned force in SOUTHCOM's entire area of operations other than Guantanamo Bay, which is certainly very static and mission-based. Because of our location, we offer the ability to collaborate. We are looking at the warlord's case.
El Salvadoran Soldiers Unload Relief Supplies Flown In From Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, By A
We also have relations with Guatemala. Maintain those relationships. And how the embassies located here help the countries. We will meet face to face with those countries and show them what we have to offer. It's really about what we can provide in terms of using medicine or what we can provide. If we weren't here, it's hard to see how SOUTHCOM could interact with partner nations outside of embassies.
An example that just happened, [USNS] Comfort had a plan to have 14 nations join. Actually [US Naval Forces Southern Command] runs the show under SOUTHCOM. But we wanted to connect with helicopters, transport people and ships, and come to ships.
A: The Situational Assessment Team is an eight-member crisis team. They have communications capabilities that allow the SOUTHCOM commander to be stationed anywhere from the southern tip of South America to Guatemala or Belize. Having these employees allows us to go anywhere and allows the team to connect assets anywhere. They are the eyes and ears of the SOUTHCOM commander.
The task force also includes the Air Force's 612th Air Force Base Squadron Fire Department. Twice a year, the team brings in firefighting teams from Central America to train them in our techniques. So when these airmen are posted here, they get the opportunity to learn and train their profession.
Jtf Bravo Supports Vpotus Visit > U.s. Southern Command > News
Todd South has written for numerous publications on crime, law enforcement, government, and the military since 2004, and was named a 2014 Pulitzer Finalist for his co-authored project on witness intimidation. Todd is a Marine veteran of the Iraq War.
Notes: Joint Task Force Bravo U.S. Military Southern Command in Honduras What is Central America's military doing in Latin America?
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