Mission

   Joint Task Force-Bravo is the third in a series of headquarters for the command of U.S. forces and exercise activities in Honduras. Established in August 1984, JTF-Bravo is headquartered at Soto Cano Air Base, a Honduran air base that is also home of the Honduran Air Force Academy.

   Combatant command of JTF-Bravo falls under the command of the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Southern Command, Miami, Fla. The missions of JTF-Bravo are:

• Conduct and support U.S. joint, combined and interagency operations designed to enhance regional cooperative security.

• Support U.S. interagency operations in coordination with U.S. Military Groups and U.S. Embassy country teams.

• Support regional Humanitarian and Civic Assistance, disaster relief and contingency missions as directed by USCINCSO.

• Exercise OPCON of selected deployed forces in the joint area of operations, other than those conducting security assistance related operations.

• Provide security support to USMILGRPs within JTF-Bravo area of operations as directed by USCINCSO.

• Provide support for regional exercises/deployments as directed by USCINCSO.
  Support regional disaster relief and contingency operations as directed by USCINCSO.

• Plan, coordinate and conduct regional search and rescue operations as directed by USCINCSO.

  JTF-Bravo accomplishes the mission using a Joint Mission Essential Task List. Included within this JMETL are: exercise OPCON of deployed forces in the joint area of operations, other than those forces conducting defense attache or security assistance operations; command and control U.S. base operations and the participation in combined airfield operations at Soto Cano Air Base in coordination with the Honduran Air Force; plan, coordinate and provide support to exercises and deployments as directed by USCINCSO, with aviation, staff and security augmentation when necessary; and military forces; coordinate and support regional counter drug operations as directed by USCINCSO; plan, coordinate and support nation assistance, disaster relief, search and rescue, and other contingency operations as directed by USCINCSO in coordination with appropriate U.S. agencies; provide logistical and security support to USMILGRP activities.

  As early as 1965, the U.S. and Honduran Armed Forces conducted combined training exercises. In 1983, the number and size of these exercises increased when the U.S., at the request of the Honduran Government, began maintaining a visible military presence in the face of threats from foreign forces. This initial joint force was designated JTF-11.

   Since 1983, the joint task force has provided support for joint and combined training exercises involving active and reserve components. The location and climate of Honduras combine to provide U.S. military members an opportunity to train in an overseas, semi-tropical, austere environment.

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The above images were photographed in early October 2000 in Belize after Hurricane Keith tore across the small Central American country. Members of Joint Task Force-Bravo arrived to assist the country in cleanup operations.