Adm. Alvin Holsey, Commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) is in Guyana to meet with senior government and defense leaders to further strengthen our bilateral security partnership.
During his visit to Georgetown, Adm. Holsey will conduct key engagements, including meeting with Honorable Brigadier Ret’d Mark Phillips, Prime Minister of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana (performing the functions of President) and Guyana’s Chief of Defense Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan. The discussions will focus on accelerating security cooperation, ensuring regional stability, and reaffirming the United States’ steadfast support for Guyana’s territorial integrity.
The defense partnership between the United States and Guyana is long-standing and encompasses joint efforts to counter transnational threats, build capacity, and engage in bilateral training programs and professional development engagements.
U.S. Southern Command works closely with U.S. Government agencies and multinational partners to advance security and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean — partnerships that are essential to hemispheric security, prosperity, and the collective ability to address complex security challenges.
Admiral Alvin Holsey is a native of Fort Valley, Georgia and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program at Morehouse College in 1988, where he received a degree in Computer Science. He earned a Master of Science in Management from Troy State University in 1995 and attended the Joint Forces Staff College in 2010.
At sea, he deployed with USS Jesse L. Brown (FF 1089), USS Nicholson (DD 982), USS Vreeland (FF 1068), USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), USS Gettysburg (CG 64), and USS Simpson (FFG 56) flying both the SH-2F Seasprite and SH-60B Seahawk helicopters. He commanded Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light Three Seven (HSL-37) and the Navy’s first hybrid electric propulsion warship, USS Makin Island (LHD 8).
As a flag officer, he served as commander Carrier Strike Group One embarked aboard USS Carl Vinson, (CVN 70), and as the inaugural commander of the International Maritime Security Construct / Coalition Task Force Sentinel rapidly setting up an expeditionary headquarters to ensure freedom of navigation, international law, free flow of commerce and stability of maritime commons throughout the Middle East.
His staff assignments have included flag aide to Commander Naval Air Force and the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Warfare Requirements and Programs N6/N7), operations officer on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, J-3, Joint Operations Directorate, European Command, deputy director PERS 43 / Head Air Combat Placement Officer, Navy Personnel Command, force operations officer, N3 at Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, executive assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations. As a flag officer, he served as deputy director for Operations, National Military Command Center, Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 2020, he was handpicked to serve as director, Task Force One Navy, analyzing and evaluating issues in society and the military that detract from Navy readiness. From 2021 to 2022, he served as deputy Chief of Naval Personnel / Commander, Navy Personnel Command, and most recently, served as Military Deputy Commander, United States Southern Command. On 7 November 2024, he was promoted to the rank of Admiral and assumed command of United States Southern Command.
His military decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (five awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit, campaign and service awards.
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