A Conversation With

Barbados is nestled in the heart of the eastern Caribbean; it has white sandy beaches, calm blue waters, and sharp cliffs that attract tourists from around the world. But, like its neighbors, it also faces security challenges that are making its security forces become ever more vigilant. Drug trafficking, illegal weapons trafficking, and other criminal activities are keeping the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) very busy at sea and on land to neutralize criminal actions.

Colombia is adjusting to changes brought by the post-conflict period. After five years of negotiations, the peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC, per its Spanish acronym) has been signed, the armed conflict has ended, and the implementation of the peace process is now afoot. The goal is to strike a similar agreement with the National Liberation Army (ELN, per its Spanish acronym); however, the country is on its way to solidifying its new reality.

The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) provides innovative solutions for the complexities of current and future operations in military environments. The command works closely with some United States partner nations to create, integrate, and deliver technology-enabled solutions to military personnel all over the world. U.S. Army Brigadier General Anthony Potts, RDECOM’s deputy commanding general, spoke to Diálogo during the opening ceremony of the institution’s new technology center in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on March 24th, right after he had visited Chile to see the projects in development between the Chilean and U.S. armies.

U.S. Army South (ARSOUTH) is headquartered at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and is U.S. Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) Army service component. Its mission is to conduct and support multinational operations and provide security cooperation in 31 countries and 15 areas of special sovereignty in Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Major General Clarence K.K. Chinn assumed command of ARSOUTH on June 4, 2015. He is a 1981 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and received a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College. Diálogo visited Maj. Gen. Chinn to talk about the challenges he faces when countering transnational threats and strengthening regional security in defense of the homeland. Diálogo: Having been in the position of commander of ARSOUTH for almost two years now (since 2015), how has your perspective of the AOR changed since you first assumed command?

For two decades, the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies has connected leaders from the Western Hemisphere’s security community. Military and civilian students from Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Chile, Honduras, Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago are among the 32 participant nations at the center’s classes, seminars, forums, and conferences on security and defense issues, including combating transnational organized crime and illicit networks, security and defense institution building, implication of human rights and rule of law, emerging technologies, and evolving threats, among others.

Located at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF South) is one of three U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) task forces in support of national and partner nation security. The agency coordinates with the interagency and international partners to illuminate transnational organized crime networks and support interdiction and apprehension by United States and partner nation law enforcement agencies. U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Christopher J. Tomney, director of the JIATF South, spoke to Diálogo about the task force’s priorities, focus, and the importance of working together to deter transnational, transregional criminal organizations.

Readiness 24/7 is what Colonel Brian T. Hughes, commander of Joint Task Force-Bravo (JTF-Bravo), stands for. To be the quick reaction force and respond to any crisis or contingency is what they are prepared for. “One Team, One Fight!” is how Col. Hughes projects missions to his military personnel.

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South is the only one of U.S. Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) component commands to reside within the same headquarters building, allowing for closer interaction and collaboration among the members of both. Diálogo visited Brigadier General Kevin M. Iiams, commander of U.S. Marine Forces, South (MARFORSOUTH), to discuss his role, vision, and mission in the SOUTHCOM Area of Operations, particularly, since having been in the role for just over one year.

According to the Brazilian Marine Basic Handbook, conducting an amphibious operation requires the mobilizing of all necessary personnel, as well as the availability of sea, land, and air resources. Over time, and due to its peculiarities, the goal was to set up resources that would specifically match these needs. This led to the emergence of individual means for transporting troops, disembarking tanks, transporting disembarking vessels and amphibious vehicles, among others. Major General César Lopes Loureiro is the commander of the Brazilian Marine Amphibious Division which belongs to the Fleet Marine Squad (FFE, per its Portuguese acronym). FFE recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, and Diálogo interviewed Maj. Gen. Loureiro the day before the FFE’s celebration on February 16th, in a ceremony held at the Amphibious Division Command at Ilha do Governador in Rio de Janeiro. The interview took place the same day he was informed of his promotion to lieutenant general, under which he will assume command of the Fleet Marine Squad in a few weeks.

The Reinforcement Squad, the command responsible for providing reinforcement detachments to Brazil’s Marine Corps (CFN, per its Portuguese acronym), is located in the peaceful seashore area of São Gonçalo, with a beautiful view over the city of Rio de Janeiro. The daily life of the troops serving there, however, is anything but tranquil, since their main duty is to provide specialized detachments to the operational groups under CFN. To learn more about this force and its logistics focus, Diálogo interviewed Major General José Luiz Corrêa da Silva, the Reinforcement Squad commander, during the 60th anniversary of the Fleet Marine Force.

Women continue to win battles on the long and winding road to gender equality.

Boa Noite ! Primeiramente quero agradecer a atençao ,queria muito ter a oportunidade de minha filha entrar na Marinha do Brasil ,mas nao sei como fazer gostaria de ter uma ajuda de como proceder ,ela e uma menina muito responsável em tudo uma otima filha ,agradeço se obtiver uma resposta ficarei grata sei que com a ajuda de Deus vamos conseguir .OBRIGADO The main operational arm of the Brazilian Marine Corps (CFN, per its Portuguese acronym) is part of the Fleet Marine Squad (FFE, per its Portuguese acronym). Its mission is to develop naval land operations. FFE originated after the Second World War out of the need observed by the Brazilian Military to develop a modernized force with amphibious capability, for use as the country's naval power. The current commander of FFE is Marine Lieutenant General Alexandre José Barreto de Mattos who, coincidentally, on the day he gave this interview to Diálogo - February 14th - was promoted to general, and will soon lead the entire Brazilian Marine Corps.