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 

HomeMediaPress Releases

# RELEASE: U.S. Forces prepare to support foreign Hurricane Irma relief in Caribbean

Sept. 12, 2017 — SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras -- Over 300 U.S. service members temporarily based in Honduras are poised to respond to Hurricane Irma in the eastern Caribbean Sea, at the request of the U.S. Agency for International Development - Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance.

Joint Task Force - Leeward Islands (JTF-LI), composed of elements from Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Southern Command, Joint Task Force - Bravo and elements of other Southern Command components will provide humanitarian assistance / disaster relief support to the island of St. Martin. 

USAID/OFDA requested DoD support to relief efforts after the island’s infrastructure sustained heavy damage from Hurricane Irma.

“The goal of our efforts in St. Martin is straightforward,” said Marine Corps Col. Michael Samarov, commander of JTF-LI. “We want to save lives and ease human suffering, and also augment civilian emergency response capabilities until our efforts are no longer necessary.”

JTF-LI is equipped with several disaster relief capabilities, including command and control, humanitarian assessment, water production and helicopter transportation.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have suffered loss during this time,” said Samarov. “We are honored to help in any way we can.”For more information on JTF-LI, please contact the following individuals: 

Joint Task Force - Leeward Island Public Affairs OfficerCapt. Jeremy CroftEmail: jeremy.croft@usmc.milPhone: +504-3163-8474

U.S. Southern Command Forward Public Affairs OfficerMaj. Joost VerduynEmail: joost.verduyn.1@us.af.milPhone: 520-202-8998

**                    SHARE                

**                    PRINT