An official website of the United States government         Here's how you know         
**Official websites use .mil**
A **.mil** website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
**Secure .mil websites use HTTPS**
 A **lock (lock )** or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Skip to main content (Press Enter).

U.S. Southern Command

Search
Search

Search

-  Home		 
-  About    -  About Main             
  -  Area of Responsibility             
  -  Leadership             
  -  SOUTHCOM Components and Units             
  -  History             
  -  SOUTHCOM Inspector General 
-  Commander's Priorities    -  Commander's Priorities Main             
  -  Strengthen Partnerships      -  Theater Maintenance Partnership Initiative (TMPI) 
  -  Counter Threats             
  -  Build Our Team 
-  Media    -  Media Main             
  -  News             
  -  Press Releases             
  -  Photos             
  -  Videos             
  -  Speeches | Transcripts             
  -  Special Coverage             
  -  SOUTHCOM Podcast 
-  USAG-M / Military-Family Services    -  U.S. Army Garrison-Miami      -  Equal Employment Opportunity Office 
  -  Overview of Services at SOUTHCOM             
  -  About the SOUTHCOM Installation and Local Community             
  -  Miami Family and MWR      -  Army Community Services             
    -  Child, Youth and School Services             
    -  Leisure Travel Services             
    -  Fitness Center 
  -  Visiting SOUTHCOM             
  -  Army Health Clinic SOUTHCOM             
  -  Hurricane Preparedness Info             
  -  Conference Center of the Americas             
  -  Theater Clearance Info             
  -  SOUTHCOM Chaplain             
  -  TEAM SOUTHCOM - Total Engagement for All Members of U.S. Southern Command             
  -  Logistics Readiness Center-Miami             
  -  Public Notice – Environmental Assessment for the Construction of a Military Housing Development             
  -  SHARP (SAPR) 
-  Newcomers    -  Newcomers Main             
  -  Sponsor Request             
  -  Directions to SOUTHCOM             
  -  Army Newcomers             
  -  Navy Newcomers             
  -  Air Force Newcomers             
  -  Marine Corps Newcomers             
  -  Coast Guard Newcomers             
  -  Reserve Newcomers             
  -  Civilian Newcomers             
  -  Contractor Newcomers             
  -  Family Member Newcomers             
  -  Newcomers to Overseas Locations in SOUTHCOM 
-  Work With Us    -  Employment | Careers             
  -  Public / Private Cooperation             
  -  Operational Contract Support             
  -  SOUTHCOM Industry Engagement 
-  FOIA    -  FOIA Main             
  -  How to file A FOIA Request             
  -  FOIA Fees and Exemptions             
  -  Your FOIA Rights             
  -  ​FOIA Reading Room 
-  Contact    -  Contact SOUTHCOM             
  -  Community Requests             
  -  FAQ             
  -  Contact SOUTHCOM Inspector General             
  -  Directions to SOUTHCOM 

HomeMediaNews

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

# Joint Interagency Task Force South Director Visits Spearhead 

By Southern Partnership Station 2017 Public Affairs 

KEY WEST, Fla. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1) hosted Rear Adm. Christopher Tomney, director of Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF South), July 10 during the ship's visit to Naval Air Station Key West. 

The U.S. Coast Guard admiral, in charge of the Key West-based task force dedicated to countering illicit trafficking, toured the Spearhead and addressed the ship's military detachment to mark the opening phase of Southern Partnership Station 2017 (SPS 17).

Tomney welcomed the Spearhead to Key West and spoke about the importance of the ship's opportunity to support the JIATF South mission during SPS 17.

"With a remarkable array of sensors and capabilities, the Spearhead and its crew will be a force multiplier for the maritime forces patrolling the international commons in the Western Hemisphere. I'm looking forward to getting Spearhead into the fight," said Tomney.

Spearhead's operation in the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR) is one of the many deployments that will take place during SPS 17, and is an example of the Navy's continued commitment to regional partnerships and maritime security.

 "Just as a crew must work together to protect a ship from external threats, the nations of the Western Hemisphere are working together to counter the threats posed by illicit threat networks," said Tomney.

Tomney emphasized how the Spearhead's lift, speed, presence and flight deck capabilities make the ship a highly desirable asset in the international coalition arrayed to combat threat actors in the region.

Upon departure from Key West, Spearhead will continue preparations to begin interoperability, medical and disaster preparedness training with regional military and civilian partners in Central and South America. 

SPS-EPF 17 is a U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) directed operation planned by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (USNAVSO/ FOURTHFLT) and carried out by deployed adaptive force packages (AFPs) under the direction of the Destroyer Squadron 40 staff. 

AFPs are specialized teams of U.S. service members from the fields of engineering, force protection and medical. They will deploy aboard the civil service mariner operated Spearhead in support of SPS-EPF 17, to collaborate with partner nation military forces through naval-focused training exercises, military-to-military engagements and community relations projects. This year's deployments will visit Guatemala, Honduras, Chile, and Colombia.

USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT supports USSOUTHCOM's joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central, and South American regions.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy. For more news from U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. 4th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusns/. 

**                    SHARE                

**                    PRINT                

SpearheadSouthern Partnership StationNavy