How can I ask for JTF-Bravo’s help after a disaster?
In order for JTF-Bravo to be able to assist a country after a disaster, a series of requests must be submitted through U.S. government authorities. The process for JTF-Bravo to get involved looks like this:
1. Disaster happens
2. Host nation responds
3. Host nation request assistance for international community
4. If the host nation is overwhelmed and has requested and will accept U.S. government help, the U.S. ambassador (U.S. Department of State) can validate the emergency by issuing a disaster declaration.
5. If a disaster declaration is issued, the U.S. Agency for International Development Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance will respond as the lead federal agency.
6. If further assistance is needed, the U.S. Department of State can request assistance from the Department of Defense.
7. If the Department of Defense approves the request for assistance, then the order is tasked to U.S. Southern Command who in turn tasks JTF-Bravo to respond.
JTF-Bravo has a limited ability to respond if lives are in danger, but unless there is an immediate need to save lives, JTF-Bravo can't respond on its own if the proper requests have not been made through the U.S. government.
What is the difference between JTF-Bravo and Soto Cano?
Joint Task Force Bravo is joint military unit comprised of approximately 500-600 U.S. Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors. JTF-Bravo is located on Soto Cano Air Base, which is near Comayagua, Honduras. Soto Cano Air Base is a Honduran Air Base and home to the Honduran Air Force Academy. Members assigned to JTF-Bravo share Soto Cano Air Base with the Honduran Air Force. Both Honduran and U.S. troops live and work on the base.
What is the structure of JTF-Bravo?
JTF-Bravo is composed of approximately 600 U.S. military members from the Army, Air Force and Navy. The U.S. forces on base are divided into various units, all of which support the JTF-Bravo commander. The units are the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment; the 612th Air Base Squadron; Joint Security Forces; Army Forces and the Medical Element.
The 1-228th is an Army aviation unit that has both UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters. The unit flies missions supporting counter-narcotics operations, aero-medical evacuation and humanitarian assistance missions.
The 612th ABS is an Air Force unit responsible for maintenance and support of the airfield, which has the largest runway in Honduras. The 612th ABS shares air traffic control duties with Honduran authorities.
JSF is responsible for law enforcement, security and force protection for U.S. government personnel, facilities, equipment and resources on Soto Cano Air Base.
ARFOR conducts and supports humanitarian assistance; personnel recovery; counter narcotics training; and combined, joint and interagency operations and training such as airborne operations.
MEDEL provides health service and support for U.S. forces stationed at Soto Cano from basic to trauma care, and maintains a Mobile Surgical Team capable of conducting basic surgeries in remote conditions.
In addition to the units' primary tasks, every unit also conducts joint training and exercises with Honduras and other Central American countries.
Why is Joint Task Force Bravo in Honduras?
Joint Task Force Bravo is in Honduras to build partnerships with Honduras and other Central American countries to foster security, stability and prosperity for the Americas. JTF-Bravo conducts a variety of missions in Central and South America from counter narco-terrorism missions to joint training and medical readiness exercises, benefiting both the United States and Central American countries.
Latin America, the Caribbean and the United States share common interests. JTF-Bravo is committed to promoting our mutual interest of security and progress, as is reflected in our motto, "Progress through Unity."
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