The Pentagon has been increasing the US presence in the Caribbean and South American waters to engage what the Trump administration considers “drug boats”. A Joint Task Force (JTF) was established in October to conduct counter-narcotics operations in the US Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) area of responsibility (AOR).

The JTF has been using multiple surface, underwater and aerial capabilities from the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). From the DoD side, US Air Force (USAF) ISR aircraft and US Navy (USN) amphibious assault vessels, destroyers, littoral combat ships, helicopters and patrol aircraft are deployed in the region.

It includes Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile Flight IIA destroyers USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109), USS Gravely (DDG-107) and USS Stockdale (DDG-106); the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7); and San Antonio-class Landing Platform Docks USS San Antonio (LPD-17) and USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD-28)... Continues below

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Moreover, SOUTHCOM is operating the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG-70), the Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS-13), the Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarine USS Newport News and other logistics ships. A forward-deployed US Marine Corps (USMC) squadron of F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters is also in its AOR.

“This is principally a maritime effort, and our team will leverage maritime patrols, aerial surveillance, precision interdictions and intelligence sharing to counter illicit traffic, uphold the rule of law and ultimately better protect vulnerable communities here at home,” the Commanding General of the II Marine Expeditionary Force II and JTF commander Lt Gen Calvert Worth said.

Shephard Defence Insight noted that Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are the workhorse of the US Navy. Their main warfare systems are the Aegis combat management system and the SPY-1D passive 3D radar.

Fitted with two Mk 41 vertical launch systems (VLS) with 96 cells, the destroyers can fire Tomahawk Block II and Block IV, Standard SM-2 Block III and IVA surface-to-air missiles..

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Additionally, the capabilities feature hangars for two LAMPS Mk III MH-60 Seahawk helicopters armed with Penguin or Hellfire missiles and Mk 46 or Mk 50 torpedoes.

In the case of the Wasp-class ships, the systems can hold three landing craft air cushions (LCAC), 12 landing craft mechanised or 40 amphibious armoured vehicles (AAV). It can also transport 1,894 marines, which is almost an entire Marine Expeditionary Unit.

This type of amphibious assault ship has nine helicopter spots on the flight deck, which have space to fit rotorcraft the size of a CH-53 Super Stallion or an MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor.

For self-protection, the vessels are fitted with two Mk 29 launchers for RIM-7 Sea Sparrow Missiles, two Mk 49 launchers for RIM-117 RAM, three Phalanx CIWS and four 25mm Mk 38 machine guns.

Meanwhile, San Antonio-class platforms are equipped with AN/SBS-48G 3D air search radar, AN/SPQ-9B surface search and fire control radar and AN/SLQ-32 electronic warfare suite.

Their flight deck can hold two CH-53 Super Stallion helicopters, two MV-22 Osprey or up to four AH-1Z, UH-1Y or MH-60 helicopters. The well deck, in turn, can host two LCAC or one Landing Craft Utility (LCU) and 14 AAVs.

Other features encompass two Mk 46 Bushmaster 30mm close-in-weapon systems and two rolling airframe missile launchers.

The Ticonderoga Class main weapon, concurrently, is the Tomahawk land-attack cruise missile. Its 61-cell Mk 41 VLS can fire the SM-2, SM-3 and SM-6 rounds as well as ESSM and ASROC anti-submarine missiles.

The cruisers are also fitted with the Harpoon anti-ship missile, two five-inch guns, two 25mm Mk 38 guns, a Phalanx close-in-weapon system and two Mk 32 torpedo launchers. Moreover, Ticonderoga platforms have enough deck space to operate two Sikorsky SH-60B or MH-60R Seahawk helicopters.

Regarding the Freedom Class, the frigates have been built to be small, fast and modular, capable of performing a variety of roles with the exchange of a modular equipment package and specialist crews. They can accommodate an MH-60R Seahawk or two MQ-8C Fire Scout UAVs.

Their standard armaments include the Mk 110 57mm gun, Mk 49 Rolling Airframe Missile launcher, 30mm Mk 44 Bushmaster II guns and AGM-114L Hellfire missiles in the surface warfare module. The ships are also fitted with the TRS-3D air and surface search radar.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Class has been the mainstay of the US subsurface fleet since the 1970s. Those submarines are equipped for anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, show-of-force missions, strike missions, insertion of special forces, mining and SAR operations.

In addition to all those capabilities, the USS Gerald R Ford and its strike group and embarked carrier air wing are also on the way to take part in the JTF.

The aircraft carrier and its destroyers set sail from the Mediterranean Sea on 24 October and were reported to have crossed the Strait of Gibraltar on 5 November.

According to the Pentagon: “The enhanced US force presence in the USSOUTHCOM AOR will bolster US capacity to detect, monitor and disrupt illicit actors and activities that compromise the safety and prosperity of the United States homeland and our security in the Western Hemisphere”.

In the case of the DHS assets, the US Coast Guard has been deploying Famous, Legend (National Security Cutters) and Reliance (Medium Endurance Cutters) classes of cutters in the region.

Famous-class platforms have been built for law enforcement, counter-drug and search and rescue missions. The ships are armed with a Mk 75 76mm fully automatic gun capable of firing up to 80 rounds per minute, two .50-calibre machine guns and two SRBOC launchers.

The Legend Class, in turn, is the centrepiece of the USCG fleet and consists of the largest and most technologically advanced USCG cutters according to Shephard Defence Insight.

The sensors suite package includes a TRS-3D air surveillance radar, an AN/SPQ-9B surface and fire control radar, a Furuno X-band radar, a Furuno S-band radar and a Mk 46 EO system.

Meanwhile, Reliance-class ships are primarily used for carrying out law enforcement and search and rescue operations. They are armed with one Mk 38 25mm cannon and two .50-calibre machine guns.

In terms of the aerial assets, a USMC F-35B stealth fighter squadron has been operating from the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, Puerto Rico. The fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft have short take-off and vertical landing capability.

Their armament typically includes two anti-air missiles and two bombs carried internally, with an optional 25mm gun pod and underwing pylons enabling store carriage of up to 15,000lb (6,800kg). Their main sensor is the AN/APG-81 AESA radar.

From the USAF inventory, the E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft is in operation in the SOUTHCOM AOR. With over 11 hours of endurance, it offers early warning and classification of approaching air threats and performs a C2 role in joint operations.

The aircraft features a rotating radar dome with a range of more than 375km. When combined with IFF, its radar can detect, identify and track enemy and friendly low-flying aircraft by eliminating ground clutter returns that confuse other radar systems.

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