Highlighting the opportunity to strengthen ties with Latin American and Caribbean partner nations through military women empowerment, U.S. Army Major General William L. Thigpen, U.S. Army South commanding general, welcomed participants to the first-ever Army South’s Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Symposium, in San Antonio, Texas, February 21-24. “Our goal is to [ … ]
WPS


Argentina’s Military Women Make Headway in Antarctic Bases
The appointment of Argentine Army Major Vanesa Pía as head of the Carlini Base, one of the South American country’s six permanent bases in Antarctica, once again highlights the commitment of the Argentine Armed Forces to gender integration. Maj. Pía is the first military woman to command a unit on [ … ]

Colombian Army Has First female Huey II Helicopter Pilot
At just 26 years old, Colombian Army First Lieutenant Katherine Romero is the first female Huey II helicopter pilot and one of the first women pilot in the institution. A native of Ibagué in western Colombia, 1st Lt. Romero, from Aviation Battalion No. 5 of the Air Assault Aviation Division, [ … ]

Women, Peace, Security: More Than Just Words on Paper
Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) is a policy that recognizes women as a critical component to achieve sustainable international peace and security. “This policy directly empowers women to impact their organizations and make a difference in the world,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Ana Mendiola, 571st Mobility Support Advisory [ … ]

The Continuing Promise to Support Women
Women attended a talk on breast cancer, children learned about tooth decay, teens heard about pregnancy prevention, parents received information on domestic violence, military and police personnel took notes during a discussion on gender equality, while some attendees did yoga, and others sang along with the band. All were participants [ … ]

USNS Comfort Arrives in Dominican Republic for Continuing Promise
Hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) anchored off the coast of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in support of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Continuing Promise 2022 (CP22) mission, November 27. The Comfort will hold subject matter expert exchanges with Dominican partners; Women, Peace, and Security seminars; humanitarian assistance [ … ]

Women, Peace, and Security: Unity to Lead Change
The first Hybrid Senior Enlisted Leader Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Seminar was carried out at the Colombian Army Infantry School in Bogotá, August 23-24. The in-person and virtual seminar, hosted by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and the Colombian Military Forces’ General Command (CGFM), focused on the professional growth of [ … ]

Caribbean Nations United Toward Women Empowerment
Highlighting the excellent opportunity to strengthen the relationship between Caribbean nations and the United States toward the common goal of reinforcing military women empowerment, meaningful participation, decision making, protection from violence, and access to resources, Brigadier Godfrey Bess, chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) welcomed participants to the [ … ]

Gen. Richardson Visits Honduras, Meets with President, Senior Officials
U.S. Army General Laura J. Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), visited Honduras June 29-30 and met with Honduran President Xiomara Castro and other senior officials to discuss continued bilateral cooperation. Gen. Richardson’s visit to Honduras was her second since becoming SOUTHCOM commander in October 2021. The trip included [ … ]

Military Offers Women Unique Challenges and Opportunities, Generals Say
U.S. Transportation Command Commander Air Force General Jacqueline D. Van Ovost and U.S. Southern Command Commander Army General Laura J. Richardson spoke June 15 about their experiences in the military as women leaders during an interview with defense.gov and the newspaper Miami Today. Gen. Van Ovost has served in [ … ]

Women Leaders at all Levels
For the first time, on June 15, at the headquarters of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), two women U.S. 4-star generals came together to discuss the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) initiative on a panel of U.S. Department of Defense senior leaders. U.S. Army General Laura J. Richardson, SOUTHCOM commander; U.S. [ … ]

First Woman Advisor to the Peruvian Army’s General Command Secretariat
The inclusion of women in the Peruvian Army is a growing institutional trend. The military institution formally opened its doors to women in 1997, with the adoption of Law 26628 in 1996, allowing women to enter the Armed Forces’ training schools for officers and noncommissioned officers. Lieutenant Colonel Katherine Castillo [ … ]