RIO DE JANEIRO (Feb. 09, 2022) Rear Adm. Jim Aiken, left, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, meets with Brazilian navy Director of Maintenance and Material Adm. Jose Augusto Vieira da Cunha de Menezes and Director of Naval Communications and Cyber Defense Rear Adm. Luciana Mascarenhas da Costa Marroni, to discuss interoperability and collaboration on innovation and experimentation, Feb. 9, 2022. Aiken is visiting Brazil to conduct key leader engagements and strengthen U.S. strategic partnership with the Brazilian navy. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command's joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Stephanie Morales)