March 23, 2018 —
The commander of U.S. Southern Command, Navy Adm. Kurt W. Tidd, visited Chile to meet with the nation’s top defense leaders to discuss security cooperation.
During the trip, Tidd met with Chilean Minister of Defense Alberto Espina and Chilean Chief of Joint Staff Gen. Arturo Merino Nunez to discuss advancing an already robust security partnership.
Tidd also held meetings with U.S. Ambassador to Chile Carol Z. Perez; Chilean Gen. Ricardo Martinez, Commander in Chief of the Army; Chilean Sub-Secretary Of Defense Christián de la Maza; Chilean Adm. Julio Leiva and Vice Adm. Jose Rivera.
SOUTHCOM Civilian Deputy to the Commander, Ambassador Liliana Ayalde, and SOUTHCOM Command Senior Enlisted Leader Sgt. Maj. Bryan K. Zickefoose, accompanied Tidd during the trip.
The United States and Chile have a longstanding security partnership that includes multiple engagements & training exercises annually. Current U.S. – Chile security cooperation includes:
- Aviation (fixed wing and rotary wing)
- Maritime (undersea rescue, amphibious, and naval exercises)
- Intelligence
- Medical (aeromedical evacuation, critical-care air transport)
- Peacekeeping
- Humanitarian Assistance
- Disaster Preparedness
- Human Rights
- Communications
- Logistics
- Maintenance