Southern Vanguard 27 (SV27) began in Colombia, November 2, 2026. The exercise, which is scheduled to run until mid-November, brings together some 800 participants, including over 400 soldiers from the Colombian Army and about 350 U.S. military personnel.
Pre-exercise activities began October 30 with an aeromedical evacuation scenario from Colombia’s Tolemaida Military Base to its Cavalry School in Bogotá. The objective of this initial scenario is to test the immediate care and first aid skills employed by medical-specialty soldiers from both armies while treating personnel with simulated, mine-related injuries.
Colombia previously hosted Southern Vanguard 23 (SV23) at Toleimada Military Base in November 2022, when Colombian and U.S. soldiers conducted combined training in weapons handling, tactical maneuvers, and jungle operations.
Sponsored by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and led by U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command (USAWHC), Southern Vanguard is an annual Command Post Exercise (CPX) and Field Training Exercise (FTX). SV27 is fully nested under the Joint Staff’s global military exercise strategy, which enables the Joint Force to train alongside allies and partners.
The training is designed to counter regional threats, build partner capacity, and increase readiness. Training scenarios focus heavily on maritime interdiction, ground security operations, cyber defense, and interagency cooperation.
This year’s iteration is a premier bilateral training exercise highlighting the deep and enduring security partnership between Colombia and the United States. Working side-by-side, soldiers from both nations will share tactical expertise, build lasting institutional trust, and strengthen combined readiness to respond to regional security challenges.
By training in close cooperation, exercise participants will continue to build on foundational relationships dedicated to enhancing interoperability, maintaining stability, and securing peace, across the Western Hemisphere.
SV27 highlights the longstanding security cooperation between both countries.
The exercise builds upon more than 200 years of diplomatic relations between Colombia and the United States and highlights our renewed security alliance.
Continual exchanges of tactical knowledge and security expertise remain the cornerstone of maintaining long-term stability and prosperity throughout the Western Hemisphere.
