Photo By Arthur McQueen | U.S. Air Force Gen. Douglas Fraser, commander of U.S. Southern Command, congratulates...... read more read more
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MIAMI - U.S. Air Force Gen. Douglas Fraser, U.S. Southern Command commander, recognized military liaison officers from Brazil and Chile for their significant contributions to strengthening the longstanding military cooperation and partnership between our armed forces during a formal ceremony today at the command’s Doral headquarters.
Fraser presented Brazilian navy Cmdr. Paulo Petro and Chilean navy Capt. Luis Bravo with the Joint Service Commendation Medal, on behalf of the Secretary of Defense for their distinguished service as members of the SOUTHCOM team, while assigned to the command as partner nation liaison officers.
During a prior ceremony, Feb. 3, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Steven Shepro, director of SOUTHCOM’s strategy, policy and plans directorate, also presented the medal to Peruvian army Col. Juan Carlos Liendo in recognition of his distinguished service at the command, which oversees U.S. military cooperation with nations in South America, Central America and the Caribbean.
As representatives of their countries’ armed forces at SOUTHCOM, partner nation liaison officers play a vital role in facilitating understanding and coordination, advancing information sharing, enhancing mutual trust, and improving the interoperability of our forces.
They also provide insights, recommendations and perspectives on key issues to SOUTHCOM senior leaders and staff; contribute directly to the command’s regional engagement planning activities; and routinely accompany U.S. senior military and defense leaders on official travel to their countries.
SOUTHCOM’s Partner Nation Liaison Officer Program dates back to 1998 and was developed in close coordination with regional defense leaders. Since then, seven countries from South America, as well as Canada have assigned military liaison officers to the command.
The command presently has five partner nation liaison officers assigned to its headquarters from Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia and Peru.
Today’s recognition event coincides with the completion of assignments at SOUTHCOM for Petro and Bravo. Petro will next serve as an amphibious assault vehicular battalion commander in Rio de Janeiro; while Bravo will join Chile’s Commander of Naval Operations staff in Valparaiso. Liendo retired from active-military service at the conclusion of his two-year assignment with the command.
“We have been blessed within SOUTHCOM to have the opportunity to serve with two very, very fine officers, and thank you both for making SOUTHCOM a better place and for helping strengthen our engagement with both your countries and other countries within the region,” Fraser told Petro and Bravo during the ceremony.
The Joint Service Commendation Medal was authorized by the Secretary of Defense, June 25, 1963, and may be awarded to members of foreign allied armed forces assigned directly to the joint staff or combatant commands who, after Feb. 6, 2006, distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement or service.
Related links:
Joint Service Commendation Medal description: http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Awards/joint_srv_commendation.aspx
High resolution image of the medal: http://www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/ggallery/hires/AFG-070807-018.jpg
| Date Taken: | 02.10.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 02.10.2012 18:50 |
| Story ID: | 83705 |
| Location: | MIAMI, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 294 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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