181124-N-LM739-0102 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Nov. 24, 2018) Cmdr. Paul O’Brien, commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61), thanks the Brazilian navy Niteroi-class frigate BNS Independencia (F 44) for their participation in a passing exercise. Ramage is currently deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. Southern Command’s (USSOUTHCOM) Enduring Promise Initiative. This initiative reaffirms USSOUTHCOM’s longstanding commitment to the nations of the Western Hemisphere by conducting a series of operations, activities and events to increase partner nation capacity and build interoperability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ian Parham/Released)