Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston –
Maj. Gen. K.K. Chinn, U.S. Army South commander, recently
welcomed Lt. Gen. Joarez Alves Pereira Jr.,
Brazilian army deputy chief of staff, to San Antonio for the
32nd annual staff talks between the two nations’ armies.
Last year, the staff talks were held in Brazil, and both
armies have been conducting the 70 agreed-to events, training, exercises and
exchanges together as a result of the agreements made in 2015.
“The staff talks are a great teambuilding event that strengthens
our relationships and trust,” Chinn said during his opening remarks. “More
importantly, they help us each learn more about how we can work together to
address emerging challenges in the region, hemisphere and globally.”
Army South has represented the U.S. Army in the annual
bilateral staff talks with Brazil since 2005. As the Army service component
command for U.S. Southern Command, Army South conducts staff talks on behalf of
the Chief of Staff of the Army. These meetings help strengthen professional
partnerships and increase interaction between the armies.
“The engagements will certainly play a major role in
strengthening mutual trust and enhancing cooperation and interoperability
between our armies,” Pereira said.
During the meeting, the two delegations drafted a list of 57
agreed-to actions covering a wide range of professional exchanges designed to
improve the working relationship between the two armies.
“We look forward to working together against the emerging
threats and providing for the stability, security and prosperity for the
Americas,” Chinn said during his closing remarks.
The staff talks ended with the signing of a bilateral
engagement plan for the upcoming year.
Army South also conducts staff talks with the armies of
Chile, Colombia, Peru and El Salvador on behalf of the Chief of Staff of the
Army.