U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT) concluded a five-day Maritime Synchronization Conference (MSC) held at Naval Station Mayport, Dec. 9.

The conference brought together U.S. Navy attaches and section chiefs from the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of responsibility, which encompasses the Caribbean, Central and South America. It also included other service surrogates and stakeholders from component, service, theater and national agencies to discuss common naval issues and concerns, and develop innovative solutions.

The conference hosted representatives from Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and Suriname.

"The challenges that we have addressed this week, along with the relationships we have developed, will be instrumental to our future success in this hemisphere," said Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet Rear Adm. Sean Buck.

USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT supports SOUTHCOM's joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations in order 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 regions.

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For more news from U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. 4th Fleet, visit http://www.navy.mil/.