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

# U.S. Army advisors strengthen partnership with Colombia’s fire support command

By Maj. Jason Elmore

U.S. Army advisors assigned to 4th Battalion, 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade, traveled to La Guajira region of Colombia alongside Comando de Apoyo de Fuegos, Colombia’s fire support command, in mid-December to assess their procedures and technical prowess in planning and executing field artillery missions using 155m Howitzer cannons.

It was the first time in 1st SFAB’s history in South America, advisors have partnered with Batallón de Artillería de Campaña 1 (BAACA 1). The team was brought in specifically for a live fire event where Colombia’s BAACA 1 drilled their cannon crews using live ammunition.

U.S. military advisors stood side by side with their partners throughout the planning process to the coordination center to rounds being loaded and lanyards pulled to firing rounds for training, and later the advisors provided feedback to help the organization improve.

“This was the most rewarding mission that our team has accomplished as a direct result of working with such an eager and motivated partner,” said Capt. Joseph Dang, a field artillery advisor assigned to 4th Battalion helped with guidance during BAACA 1.

According to Dang, BAACA 1 is in a unique position because they are spearheading efforts to modernize Colombia’s field artillery capabilities and are playing an important role in Colombia’s Army as they pursue NATO certification.

Advisors assigned to U.S. Army’s 1st SFAB enjoy a persistent presence in Colombia and work every day to connect the nations and their militaries through engagements such as these.

“Field Artillery advising is the center of what it takes to ensure our multinational partners are able to fight in a combined arms environment,” said Lt. Col. Jeremy Secrest, commander of 4th Battalion, 1st SFAB and senior field artillery advisor.

“We don’t go to war as a nation without a coalition and it is important that we are able to work with each and every nation we partner with,” added Secrest. “Our work in doctrine and developing interoperability does much to increase the capability of the future coalitions.”

Since the U.S. Army activated the 1st SFAB in 2018, its primary focus has been to build interoperability with partner nations and their security forces. Doing so plays an important role in achieving national strategic objectives worldwide.

**                    SHARE                

**                    PRINT                

1st Security Force Assistance BrigadeSFABColombiaComando de Apoyo de Fuegos