U.S. Army Gen. Joseph A. Ryan, Western Hemisphere Commanding General, speaks with U.S. Army soldiers of the 2-4 Battalion, 10th Mtn., during Southern Vanguard 27 in Tolemaida, Colombia, Nov. 9, 2026. Southern Vanguard 27 is a premier bilateral exercise between the United States and Colombia designed to strengthen security cooperation, build rapid deployment readiness, and enhance multinational interoperability. This training highlights our enduring security partnership and commitment to maintaining a safe, stable Western Hemisphere. (Photo by U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Peter Martinez)
(Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Peter Martinez)View original
DORAL, Fla. — Gen. Joseph A. Ryan, U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command (USAWHC) Commanding General, visited Tolemaida, Colombia, on Nov. 9, 2026, to meet with U.S. and Colombian soldiers participating in Southern Vanguard 2027 (SV27), an annual exercise focused on strengthening interoperability, readiness, and bilateral security cooperation.
During the visit, Gen. Ryan met with soldiers participating in the exercise and recognized their hard work, dedication, and commitment to joint training. He expressed his support for their efforts and discussed with them the importance of working together to strengthen the military partnership between the United States and Colombia, improve readiness, and enhance their ability to operate in challenging environments.
Colombian National Army soldiers guard their front line during night-operation training at Southern Vanguard 27 in Tolemaida, Colombia, Nov. 9, 2026. Southern Vanguard 27 is a premier bilateral exercise between the United States and Colombia designed to strengthen security cooperation, build rapid deployment readiness, and enhance multinational interoperability. This training highlights our enduring security partnership and commitment to maintaining a safe, stable Western Hemisphere. (Photo by U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Peter Martinez)
(Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Peter Martinez)View original
"It’s got to be practical. It’s got to be beneficial on an individual level, on a unit level, or else it’s really not worth doing," said GEN. Joseph A. Ryan, Commanding General of United States Army Western Hemisphere Command. “The willingness for you all to be here, the willingness for you all to put the effort into it, is something we’re very proud of, and something I hope you all are getting a lot out of.”
U.S. Army Gen. Joseph A. Ryan, Western Hemisphere Commanding General, speaks with Colombian National Army soldiers during Southern Vanguard 27 in Tolemaida, Colombia, Nov. 9, 2026. Southern Vanguard 27 is a premier bilateral exercise between the United States and Colombia designed to strengthen security cooperation, build rapid deployment readiness, and enhance multinational interoperability. This training highlights our enduring security partnership and commitment to maintaining a safe, stable Western Hemisphere. (Photo by U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Peter Martinez)
(Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Peter Martinez)View original
U.S. Army soldiers assault a suspected high value target(HVT) compound for an exercise at Southern Vanguard 27 in Tolemaida, Colombia, Nov. 10, 2026. Southern Vanguard 27 is a premier bilateral exercise between the United States and Colombia designed to strengthen security cooperation, build rapid deployment readiness, and enhance multinational interoperability. This training highlights our enduring security partnership and commitment to maintaining a safe, stable Western Hemisphere. (Photo by U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Peter Martinez)
(Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Peter Martinez)View original
Hosted by the Colombian National Army, sponsored by U.S. Southern Command and led by U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command, SV27 brings together U.S. and Colombian military personnel to strengthen interoperability, enhance combined readiness and reinforce bilateral security cooperation. Building on more than 200 years of diplomatic relations, the exercise supports the continued development of a strong military partnership and contributes to peace, stability, and security throughout the Western Hemisphere.
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