Adm. Holsey Takes Command of SOUTHCOM

DORAL, Florida - U.S. Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey assumed command of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) from U.S. Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson during a change-of-command ceremony, Nov. 7, 2024.

Holsey, who previously served as the Military Deputy Commander at SOUTHCOM, was promoted to the rank of admiral before the ceremony.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III presided over the event at the SOUTHCOM Headquarters in Doral, Florida, with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., defense and security leaders from 32 Latin American and Caribbean nations, and other dignitaries in attendance.

"We are making history today," said Austin. "The first woman commander of SOUTHCOM passes the baton to the first African-American commander of SOUTHCOM."

Holsey's career includes numerous deployments aboard U.S. Navy frigates and cruisers, as well as missions flying the SH-2F Seasprite and SH-60B Seahawk helicopters. He commanded a helicopter anti-submarine squadron; the U.S. Navy's first hybrid electric propulsion warship, USS Makin Island (LHD 8); and Carrier Strike Group One aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, (CVN 70).

"At sea and ashore, the admiral's teammates have admired his leadership and his work ethic," said Austin. "And those who have worked for him have probably heard him say, 'hard work is authorized.' But he always made time for family as well. He's encouraged his teammates to do the same. His whole career has prepared him for this new mission."

During his remarks at the ceremony, Holsey reaffirmed SOUTHCOM's commitment to strengthen partnerships in Latin America and the Caribbean.

"Partnerships are our best deterrence to countering shared security and economic concerns," said Holsey. "We will always be there for like-minded nations, who share our values, our democracy, our rule of law, and human rights."

Holsey also warned against evolving threats in the region.

"SOUTHCOM is at the front of strategic competition. And our adversaries have established a strong presence, jeopardizing security and stability across the Americas. The People's Republic of China and Russia… seek to undermine democracy while gaining power and influence in the region," said Holsey.

"Transnational criminal organizations create and exploit this permissive environment while undermining the rule of law and disrupting legitimate government functions. Transboundary threats exist as well, from irregular migration, climate change, eroding democracies, to food and water insecurity," said Holsey.

Holsey also addressed the SOUTHCOM team, committing to "give you everything I have" while asking for each team member's "personal best."

"When the dark clouds come, and the days are long, the seas are rough, look no further than right here. I will lead you," he said.

A Georgia native, Holsey was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program at Morehouse College in 1988, where he received a degree in Computer Science. In 1995, he earned a Master of Science in management from Troy State University, and in 2010, he attended the Joint Forces Staff college.

"To understand me, is to understand the essence of survival. Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or be killed. Every morning, a lion wakes up and knows he must outrun the slowest gazelle or starve to death. Doesn't matter whether you're the lion or gazelle, when the sun comes up, you'd better be running. Let's get running team SOUTHCOM," said Holsey.

Holsey previously made history as the inaugural commander of the International Maritime Security Construct / Coalition Task Force Sentinel, tasked with ensuring freedom of navigation, adherence to international law, free flow of commerce, and the stability of maritime commons in the Middle East. His career assignments include tours as deputy director for operations at the National Military Command Center for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel at Navy Personnel Command.

The U.S. Senate confirmed Holsey's presidential nomination September 24.

Richardson is retiring after more than four decades of military service as a decorated Army officer and distinguished aviator. Her career included leadership roles in various assignments from the company to the theater level, as well as deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Richardson's career also included assignments as Military Aide to the Vice President at the White House, Chief of Army Legislative Liaison to the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C., and as a U.S. Army campaign planner at the Pentagon.

"Over the course of my 38-years in the military, I have received a lot of coaching and mentoring, by so many," Richardson said. "As we all know, in our line of work, people are the greatest asset in the military. And I have been honored lead and been led by some of the most amazing leaders. I brought these lessons, and many more, with me as I took command here at SOUTHCOM," she said.

Richardson assumed command of SOUTHCOM Oct. 29, 2021, during a history-making ceremony in which she became the first woman general to lead the U.S. combatant command.

"General Richardson, thanks for all you've done to strengthen security and stability across the Americas," said Austin. The secretary hailed Richardson's accomplishments during her tenure, including the command's support to the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission assisting Haitian-led efforts in and near Port-au-Prince to restore security in communities impacted by widespread gang violence.

Austin said that under Richardson's leadership, SOUTHCOM conducted numerous operations directly supporting regional security, increased security cooperation with regional defense and security partners and optimized its multinational exercise program to strengthen the region's collective security capacity and bolster interoperability.

Richardson also led the command's critical support to partner nation efforts aimed at disrupting the activities of transnational criminal organizations and malign state actors; including illicit trafficking; human smuggling; illegal, unregulated, and underreported fishing; and cyberattacks.

"SOUTHCOM service members, government civilians and contractors' steadfast devotion to duty has ensured that we continue to deliver on our enduring promise to the Americas," Richardson said. "Thank you for your service. It's been the honor of a lifetime to serve alongside each of you."

SOUTHCOM is one of the nation's six geographically focused unified commands. The command is responsible for U.S. defense and security cooperation with partner nations in the Caribbean, Central America and South America, as well as U.S. military operations in the region.

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