MSTs with Peru began in the early 2000s to synchronize the numerous engagements that both the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps were conducting with their Peruvian counterparts, with numerous engagements between U.S. and Peru that have continued over the past 100 years.

Aiken led the U.S delegation and Rear Adm. Oscar Torrico, Deputy Chief of Naval General Staff led the Peruvian Delegation.

During his opening remarks, Torrico spoke about the strong relationship between the two countries’ maritime services.

“With you, we share a vision for a strong United States Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps with our Peruvian Navy,” said Torrico. “I would like to stress that the Peruvian Navy’s commitment to maintain the security of the sea will strengthen relations between our Navies, Coast Guard and Marines, and this meeting will allow us to achieve a greater level of coordination, interoperability and friendship.”

Aiken reminded the room of the century long history the United States has with Peru and stressed collaboration, working together, and building trust as key components of these talks.

“The most important thing we will do this week is build relationships,” said Aiken. “To increase our collective abilities by working together to coordinate and synchronize our efforts in support of our mutual security goals. Building on decades of close cooperation, these Maritime Staff Talks remain critical to shaping the close relationships and capabilities that ensure the effective interoperability of our forces. They offer an excellent opportunity to continue to work together to develop ideas which promote our support to our mutual interests.”

The MST serves as a comprehensive engagement venue for all bilateral maritime security cooperation activities. Over the past year, U.S. and Peruvian engagements have included Silent Forces Exercise (SIFOREX), UNITAS LXII (62), the longest running international military training exercise in the world, and Peruvian submarine Pisagua conducting fleet exercises with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group off the U.S. East Coast.

Delegates discussed working together in the future to conduct officer exchanges and looked at other educational opportunities between the U.S. and Peru to continue to demonstrate the strong partnership.

Other notable topics discussed included Woman, Peace and Security (WPS), and the Enlisted Leadership Development (ELD) program.

WPS is a policy framework developed by the United Nations. U.S. 4th Fleet has adopted this policy promoting women’s equal and meaningful participation in peace processes, peacebuilding and security. WPS promotes a gendered perspective and recognizes that women must be critical actors in all efforts to achieve sustainable international peace and security.

U.S. 4th Fleet’s Command Master Chief Robert Florentino spoke about the Enlisted Leader Development (ELD) Program, which is designed to share experiences, best practices and lessons learned with partner nations in order to spread unity amongst officer and enlisted ranks. ELD aligns U.S. 4th Fleet goals to U.S. Southern Command’s Enlisted Leader Professional Development (ELPD) program, an overarching effort to professionalize enlisted leaders throughout partner nations in the area of responsibility.

“The most effective team is one of both officers and enlisted working together, building relationships at all levels of leadership,” said Florentino. “Nothing is more rewarding for me than to help strengthen and build that team amongst our Peruvian partners.”

The MST ended with Aiken and Torrico signing the minutes, signifying the end of a productive week of discussions, and a mutual agreement to continue to work together and build on the special relationship the two nations share in the future.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command’s joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region.

Learn more about USNAVSO/4th Fleet at https://www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT and @NAVSOUS4THFLT.