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NEW ORLEANS — Leaders from the Chilean marine corps and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South came together Oct. 22, 2025, for a Staff Planner Working Group hosted at Marine Corps Support Facilities New Orleans.
The meeting’s primary goal was to enhance partnership and explore future collaborative opportunities. Through open dialogue, U.S. and Chilean Marines identified mutual objectives, discussed goals and explored combined training opportunities aimed at improving interoperability.
As part of an ongoing effort to build strong relationships with marine corps and naval infantry forces across Latin America and the Caribbean, MARFORSOUTH hosts and participates in SPWGs. These engagements are designed to facilitate strategic planning for upcoming joint exercises and to set long-term goals for both organizations.
“Every year we have these SPWG’s to address concerns, changes in policies and plans and hammer out the details of anticipated subject matter expert exchanges, bilateral trainings and formal schools,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Grill, MARFORSOUTH theater security desk officer.
The recent engagement with the Chilean marines reinforced both organizations' commitment to a long-term partnership, ensuring both nations remain prepared for future security challenges. Continued dialogue helps build trust and understanding, essential components for successful military collaboration, according to Capt. Gonzalo Carcamo, chief of staff of the Chilean marine corps, “The minutes that we signed are a representation of the friendship we have and the future training we will share.”
On the final day of the SPWG, leaders signed an agreement outlining future training exercises and the goals discussed during the week.
“At the end of the SPWG we sign the meeting minutes, which is a detailed document that covers all the intentions we talked about,” said Grill.
As MARFORSOUTH continues to host SPWGs, the focus remains on creating a unified strategy that benefits all participating nations. By working together, regional naval infantry and marine forces are better prepared, better equipped and better postured to address evolving security needs and ensure a stable region for the future.
“Both our marine corps have many years of shared friendship and joint collaborations and signing these minutes showcases both of our organizations desire to increase future capabilities,” says Carcamo.
U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South is the U.S. Marine Corps component of U.S. Southern Command, responsible for fostering relationships with allies and partner nations in Central America, South America and the Caribbean. MARFORSOUTH builds capabilities and capacity through a range of military engagements and security cooperation events, demonstrating the value of joint operations and engagements. These partnerships promote the rule of law, which is vital for security, stability, economic prosperity and personal liberty. Additionally, shared knowledge and joint interoperability enhance crisis response, strengthen collective defense and foster regional stability.
| Date Taken: | 10.29.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 10.31.2025 10:51 |
| Story ID: | 550519 |
| Location: | NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 49 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, U.S. and Chilean Marines Plan Together, by Cpl Payton Goodrich, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
