Army leaders from South, Central and North America convene in Columbia

Senior army commanders from 18 nations in the Americas converged in Bogota, Colombia, as members of the  Conference of American Armies Nov. 17-20.

“Since the first meeting of the Hemisphere’s Army Commanders in 1960, our armies have debated, analyzed and exchanged ideas and experiences related to matters of defense,” said Gen. Mark Milley, chief of staff of the U.S. Army, during closing remarks at the Colombian military’s National Training Center in Tolemaida Nov. 20.

“Our cooperation over the past 55 years has promoted regional security and the democratic development of our member countries,” Milley said, using a mixture of both English and Spanish during his speech. “This conference provides our armies the opportunity to increase cooperation and integration; establish the processes to increase interoperability; and most importantly, identify the topics of mutual interest in defense-related matters to develop solutions that are beneficial to us all.”

Chairmanship of the CAA transfers to a different member nation every two years with the U.S accepting it from Colombia in February 2016, hosting it for the first time in 24 years. During the two-year cycle, soldiers participate in specialized conferences and exercises that take place in various countries in the Americas.

During the 2014-2015 cycle, the agreed-upon conferences and field training exercises included topics such as improvised explosive devices, disaster relief, communications and collaboration with inter-agencies.

Chilean army Gen. Humberto Oviedo said he sees the benefit of attending this final event of the cycle – the Commander’s Conference of the American Armies – where each army’s senior leader or representative is updated on the activities that took place within that cycle.

“It’s important to have a chance for real contact with all the leaders from the different countries’ armies. I think this is most important and the best kind of way to build confidence if you know the person,” explained Oviedo, U.S. Army War College graduate. “Secondly, to have a chance to talk about topics that we are so involved with, like different threats, and also to know the capabilities that each country has so we can integrate and cooperate in different circumstances.

CAA participation includes 20 member armies, five observer armies and two international organizations: the Conference of Central American Armed Forces and the Inter-American Defense Board.

During this final event in the 31st cycle of CAA, senior army leaders met to discuss and accept a series of accords that will guide the CAA as an organization throughout the next two years, and to approve the next theme, objectives and schedule for the upcoming U.S.-hosted 2016-2017 cycle.

In addition to the army leaders listening to CAA presentations of highlights from multiple conferences and exercises within the cycle, they held private, bi-lateral meetings that allowed army leaders to discuss topics while building each other’s trust and confidence. Cultural events and social engagements during the conference included senior leaders’ spouses, and an extensive Colombian army demonstration capped off the week that displayed some of the host army’s unique capabilities.

In attendance for the military demonstrations were 16 of the country’s top army leaders, their spouses and staff members to observe Colombian soldiers showcase air assault capabilities and rotary-wing airframes in Tolemaida, the home of Colombian army aviation, initial flight training, as well as an air assault and a special forces battalion.

During remarks Maj. Gen. Alberto Mejia, Colombian army chief, thanked Milley and Maj. Gen. K.K. Chinn, Army South commander, for their support and the U.S. government’s continued commitment to the Colombian army to end its 50-plus year war against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, and secure peace.

Mejia, permanent executive secretariat of the Conference of American Armies for the past two years, provided a rousing patriotic message for the hundreds of new recruits to the National Army of Colombia, who were there observing the military demonstration.

“We offer you today an army that has strength, trust, confidence; an army that has principles, values and discipline, and one that’s constantly in the process of change,” Mejia said to the guests in the stands.

“You are the symbol of strength. I always know that the Colombian flag will be raised and waving because of you,” Mejia said to his soldiers in formation and his troops in the audience. “As I represent you, I leave full of pride and satisfaction.”

Milley thanked Mejia for hosting this year’s conference and said he and his staff established a “very high standard for the next host.” Milley emphasized the U.S. commitment to partnering with the Americas armies to secure and maintain peace in the hemisphere and cited shared security challenges ranging from transnational organized crime, terrorism and mass migrations.