- U.S. military airlift, electronic warfare, and fighter aircraft are deploying to Puerto Rico as part of an expanded Operation Southern Spear.
- Observed assets include C-5M and C-17 transports, EA-18G Growlers, and planned F-35 deployments, according to open-source imagery and media reporting.
The Pentagon is rapidly expanding U.S. military capabilities tied to Operation Southern Spear, a mission that began as a counter-narcotics effort but is increasingly focused on pressure against Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
Images that surfaced online this week show Combat Search and Rescue and other U.S. military aircraft arriving in Puerto Rico, signaling a sharp increase in activity tied to the operation. Among the aircraft observed was a C-5M Super Galaxy strategic heavy-lift transport assigned to the U.S. Air Force’s 709th Airlift Squadron, part of the 512th Airlift Wing.
The C-5M was spotted landing and unloading earlier today at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in eastern Puerto Rico. The aircraft had flown from Moody Air Force Base in Georgia and marked its second such flight to the region in the past three days. Observers tracking air traffic have noted that several C-17 Globemaster III and C-5 aircraft are now arriving at Roosevelt Roads on an almost daily basis.
These movements suggest a sustained logistical push rather than a short-term deployment. Heavy airlift aircraft such as the C-5M are typically used to transport outsized cargo, including aircraft components, ground equipment, and support systems required for extended operations.
In addition to airlift assets, U.S. Navy electronic warfare aircraft have also been observed in the region. EA-18G Growler aircraft were photographed on the tarmac at Roosevelt Roads after transiting the continental United States. The jets are believed to be associated with the “Scorpions” of Electromagnetic Attack Squadron 132, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington.
The Growler is a specialized electronic warfare platform designed to disrupt enemy radar, communications, and air defense systems. Its presence indicates preparation for operations in contested electromagnetic environments rather than routine surveillance or counter-drug missions.
Further reinforcing that assessment, The War Zone has reported that F-35 Joint Strike Fighters from the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing are expected to deploy to the Caribbean to participate in Operation Southern Spear. A U.S. official told the outlet that the fifth-generation fighters would be involved as the mission expands.
The aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin and operated by the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, are designed for air superiority, strike missions, and intelligence gathering in hostile environments. Their deployment would represent a marked escalation in the type of combat capability positioned near Venezuela.
Taken together, the arrival of heavy airlift aircraft, electronic warfare jets, and advanced fighters suggests a rapid shift in posture. Just days ago, the U.S. military presence tied to Operation Southern Spear appeared focused on surveillance and counter-narcotics operations. The current mix of assets is far more suited to sustained air operations over hostile territory.
The Department of War has not issued a public statement detailing changes to the mission’s objectives or rules of engagement. However, the tempo and composition of the deployments point to contingency planning beyond law enforcement support or regional monitoring.
Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, once a major U.S. Navy hub, has reemerged as a key staging point for operations in the Caribbean. Its location allows rapid access to South America and provides infrastructure capable of supporting large aircraft and complex air operations.