Partnership of the Americas Comes to a Close

Photo By Sgt. Adwin Esters | Brig. Gen. David W. Coffman, deputy commander of Marine Forces Command and commander of Marine Forces South, and Col. Michael Cuccio, chief of staff of Marine Forces South, present Chilean Rear Adm. Arturo Undurraga Diaz with an award for the continued partnership between the U.S. and Chile during the closing ceremony of Partnership of the Americas 2014, August 22, 2014. POA 14 was designed to enhance joint and combined interoperability, increase the combined capability to execute Amphibious Operations, Peace Support Operations, and Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief missions, and further develop strong and lasting relationships the U.S. Marine Corps has established with partner nations' naval infantries/marine corps.  

VALPARAISO, VS, CHILE

08.22.2014

Courtesy Story

Fleet Combat Camera Pacific

VALAPARAISO, Chile - Partnership of the Americas 2014 concluded aboard the Chilean ship LSDH Sargento Aldea here, Aug. 22, 2014.

Service members from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay, and the United States were in attendance at the ceremony which wrapped up the ten-day exercise.

During his address Brig. Gen. David Coffman, commander Marine Forces South, expressed the importance of exercises like POA, which this year focused on joint, combined and interagency regional humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

“I assure you that our partnerships from Mexico down to the tip of South America, and the readiness, relevance, and responsiveness of our multilateral team are priorities for SOUTHCOM and for the United States Navy and Marine Corps.”

While international exercises improve interoperability, the ability to address shared challenges and the overall stability and security of regions, Coffman explained something else that happens when Marines and sailors come together to practice their trade.

“We don’t just build partnerships, we build friendships. And when tough times come, and they always do, it is these friendships that will form the foundation for our work together.”

POA 14 was designed to enhance joint and combined interoperability, increase the combined capability to execute Amphibious Operations, Peace Support Operations, and Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief missions, and further develop strong and lasting relationships the U.S. Marine Corps has established with partner nations' naval infantries/marine corps.

• Date Taken: 08.22.2014
• Date Posted: 08.22.2014 16:50
• Story ID: 140188
• Location: VALPARAISO, VS, CL