The United States Southern Command released images on Tuesday showcasing the amphibious transport ship, the USS Fort Lauderdale, navigating the Caribbean Sea. This is part of their ongoing communication campaign highlighting the continuous military presence in the region.
The photograph, captured from an aircraft, dates back to June 8, 2026, when the USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD-28) completed an aerial gunnery exercise alongside Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), which operates MV-22B Osprey aircraft and constitutes part of Littoral Combat Force 24 (LCF-24).
Southern Command clarified that forces deployed in the Caribbean are supporting Operation Southern Spear, a mission led by the Department of Defense under President Trump's orders. The stated goal is to "disrupt illicit drug trafficking and safeguard the homeland through sustained presence."
The USS Fort Lauderdale serves as the primary platform for LCF-24, the operational designation for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, consisting of over 1,300 Marines and sailors under the leadership of Colonel Ryan Lynch.
This force officially took over the mission on May 29, 2026, succeeding the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit after nearly ten months of continuous deployment in the Caribbean theater.
Operation Southern Spear was formally announced on November 13, 2025, by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, based on Executive Order 14157. This order designated 12 major international cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and authorized the use of lethal force in international waters.
The Southern Command's publication follows just two days after the Southern Spear Joint Task Force carried out an assault on a drug trafficking boat in the Caribbean, resulting in two fatalities and six survivors.
Since the operation's inception, Southern Command reports over 62 assaults and more than 208 fatalities, marking the largest U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
The total cost of the deployment is estimated to be around $3 billion, with daily expenditures peaking at up to $20 million, according to media estimates.
The operation involves more than 4,500 sailors and Marines and is supported by the reactivated Roosevelt Roads Naval Base in Puerto Rico, which received a $79 million investment in November 2025 to sustain the region's missions.
Key Aspects of Operation Southern Spear
What is the purpose of Operation Southern Spear?
Operation Southern Spear aims to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the United States through continuous military presence in the Caribbean.
Who leads the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit?
Colonel Ryan Lynch commands the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is part of Littoral Combat Force 24.
How many personnel are involved in the operation?
The operation involves over 4,500 sailors and Marines.