Capt. Tim Waits, commanding officer of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), Elizabeth F. Bagley, U.S. Ambassador to Brazil, General Laura J. Richardson, Commander U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), and Brazilian Admiral Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire, Chief of Defense Armed Forces of Brazil, left to right, observe colors during a formal reception aboard George Washington in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 22, 2024. George Washington is deployed as part of Southern Seas 2024 which seeks to enhance capability, improve interoperability, and strengthen maritime partnerships with countries throughout the U.S. Southern Command area of operations through joint, multinational and interagency exchanges and cooperation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John T. Jarrett)