SPMAGTF-Southern Command conducts General Exercise...video by Lance Cpl. Serine Farahi

video caption:

Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Southern Command conducted their second general exercise as part of their pre-deployment training program at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 24 - May 5, 2017. The task force, comprised of approximately 300 Marines from both active and reserve components, will deploy to Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras this summer to build upon security cooperation efforts and established relationships in the region. 

First.

Finally they have some officers that actually tell you what they're doing and why.  Clearly and plainly said.  Few (I didn't notice any) buzzwords or Pentagon-ese.

Second.

Belize?  Don't the Brits or someone have a Jungle School there?  I thought we were shopping for a spot.  Is that still going on or has it fallen by the wayside?

Third.

El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Belize.  We were just talking about Colombia and that country is off the list.  I wonder if that's because SOCOM doesn't want any company or if it's because we weren't invited?

Last.

I'm glad to know that Southern Command is at least rotating troops down there.  I would like a more robust response to the situation in Venezuela (which is still spiraling even though I haven't posted on it in a couple of days...perhaps this weekend) and my hope is that something is being done behind the scenes.

The focus on Russia, Syria, N. Korea (that's calmed down remarkably...but I still haven't heard about our forces going back to a normal operating posture) and the cluster from hell known as Afghanistan is the only thing the Pentagon and State Dept can see.

SPMAGTF-Southern Command might be at the tip of the spear for any emergency response.  I hope those reservists are ready to hook and jab if necessary.