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

# Florida Guard unit completes mission at Exercise Tradewinds 2019

By Sgt. Leia Tascarini and 2nd Lt. James Lanza, Florida National Guard

LAS CALDERAS NAVAL BASE, Dominican Republic - Over the past two weeks, Soldiers from the Florida Army National Guard's 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade teamed up with allies from throughout the Caribbean as part of U.S. Southern Command's exercise Tradewinds to bolster Caribbean defense capacity and strengthen regional ties. For the Soldiers of the FLARNG 54th SFAB, this marked their first overseas unit mobilization in the unit's history.

Designed to train, advise and enable partner nation forces, the SFAB's existence is a recent phenomenon spurred from the growing need for highly skilled and specialized Soldiers to help build skills in regional security and humanitarian aid. 

"We're seeing these SFABs filling a vital role and mission for the U.S. Army," said Lt. Col. Jerry Glass, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 54th SFAB. "In recent years there has been a need for Soldiers to assist our partner nations on many different levels in the form of teaching, assisting and coaching and the SFAB fills that role."

In its 35th year, Exercise Tradewinds 2019 is designed to build partner-nation defense capacity while focusing on increasing regional cooperation in complex multinational security operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations. 

"This exercise is amazing, we share our different ways to do the same things so we can improve," said Mexican Marine 1st Lt. Ivan Llerandi, Mexican Naval Academy instructor. "We can learn a little from (partner nations) and they can learn a little from us."

The SFAB, composed of Soldiers specializing in medical treatment, infantry tactics and other military occupations, trained the past eight months for these types of combat advisor missions. Soldiers participating in the operation underwent rigorous training geared toward tactics, practical instruction and cultural bridging.

"I like teaching, I have a good time sharing my knowledge and I have a great team," said Staff Sgt. David J. Winhoven, senior operations advisor, 3rd Battalion, 54th SFAB. "I work with like-minded people who are eager to do a good job and work together to train others."For Soldiers of the SFAB, the opportunity to work with foreign militaries served a dual purpose of building partner nation capacity while also providing a chance to augment their training with real-world experience. 

"It was a win-win for the SFAB, Southern Command and partner nations," said Glass. "Working hand-in-hand with coalition nations during Tradewinds has not only prepared our partners but has helped prepare us as we train for future advising missions around the world."

**                    SHARE                

**                    PRINT                

Tradewinds 2019CaribbeanFlorida Army National Guard54th Security Force Assistance Brigade