The Southern Office of Aerospace Research and Development (SOARD) is the branch of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research's International Office (AFOSR/IO) responsible for managing the AFOSR's basic research activity in Mexico, Central, and South America. Its mission is to serve as the U.S. Air Force liaison with the scientific and engineering communities of the region by supporting research goals of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) through a variety of international programs.