On November 1, 2025, the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit carried out amphibious drills in Puerto Rico, highlighting Washington’s emphasis on rapid-response capabilities for counter-narcotics and regional security missions in the Caribbean. According to U.S. Southern Command, Puerto Rico serves as a forward staging area for rapid-action operations, allowing U.S. forces to act quickly against illicit maritime traffic and maintain readiness for humanitarian or crisis-response missions.

The exercise showcased a fully integrated Marine Air-Ground Task Force toolkit, combining multiple assets for fast and flexible operations:

Navy LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushion): High-speed, heavy-lift ship-to-shore mobility bypassing ports to deploy equipment directly onto beaches or contested littorals.

Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters: Armed escort and close air support for rapid interdiction.

Bell UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters: Command-and-control, troop transport, medevac, and precision effects delivery.

LAV-25 reconnaissance vehicles: Extend situational awareness inland while providing reconnaissance and firepower.

Polaris MRZR ultra-light vehicles: Small-unit mobility to disperse quickly, secure terrain, and relay intelligence.

These platforms enable U.S. Marines to act within hours, converting intelligence cues into actionable interdiction operations, supporting maritime boarding or seizure missions, and maintaining the flexibility to pivot toward humanitarian assistance if needed. The exercises also refine Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO), enabling rapid sea-to-shore maneuver, low-signature forward positioning, and distributed operations across Caribbean littorals.

Strategically, these drills send multiple signals: reassuring Caribbean partners of U.S. commitment to maritime security, warning criminal networks of persistent interdiction pressure, and enhancing readiness for rapid, scalable operations in contested areas. As SOUTHCOM implements a new joint task force for intelligence fusion and accelerated interdiction, Puerto Rico exercises reflect real-world operational preparations rather than routine training.

The drills demonstrate a cohesive, scalable approach: fast amphibious lift, immediately employable reconnaissance, mobile firepower, and integrated rotary-wing support. This capability enhances operational agility, sea-control, and maritime security while maintaining options for regional crisis response, reinforcing U.S. influence and readiness across the Caribbean.