U.S., Colombian armies fortify partnership during 15th annual staff talks

By Sgt. Maj. Tanya LumbardSeptember 18, 2024

U.S., Colombian armies fortify partnership during 15th annual staff talks
Gen. Luis Cardozo, Colombian National Army commander, and Maj. Gen. Phil Ryan, U.S. Army South commander, approve 59 agreed-to-actions for future army-to-army engagements, during the 15th annual U.S.-Colombian staff talks, Sept. 16, 2024, at the Colombian National Army military academy in Bogota, Colombia. The bilateral staff talks promotes professional relationships, creates training opportunities, enhances interoperability and underscores partner nation commitment to regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Maj. Tanya Lumbard) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Maj. Tanya Lumbard) VIEW ORIGINAL

The U.S. and Colombian armies have a long-standing partnership built on mutual respect, trust and cooperation. This enduring relationship was reaffirmed, Sept. 16, 2024, during the 15th Annual U.S.-Colombia Staff Talks held at the Colombian National Army’s military academy.

Delegations from both armies convened to discuss strategic priorities during the bilateral meeting, culminating in the signing of 59 Agreed to Actions (ATAs), outlining army-to-army cooperation initiatives for the next three years.

Maj. Gen. Phil Ryan, U.S. Army South commander and senior U.S. representative, emphasized that success is not measured by the number of agreements between the two armies but by the impact of their collaborative efforts.

“Quality is more important than quantity,” he said. “We don’t focus on the numbers; we focus on the interoperability and the exchange of ideas.”

The U.S. Army Staff Talks Program prioritizes interoperability, fostering professional relationships and interaction between partner nation armies who share common goals. The Colombian National Army is one such partner whose shared values include a commitment to regional stability and security.

U.S., Colombian armies fortify partnership during 15th annual staff talks
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. and Colombian army leaders meet at the Colombian National army military academy, Sept. 16, 2024, to take part in the 15th annual U.S.-Colombia bilateral staff talks. The staff talks, hosted by U.S. Army South, enhanced interoperability and underscored the U.S.-Colombian commitment to regional security with 59 planned joint engagements for the next three years. (Colombian Army Courtesy Photo) (Photo Credit: Army South Courtesy Asset) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S., Colombian armies fortify partnership during 15th annual staff talks
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army and Colombian army leaders take part in the 15th annual bilateral staff talks, Sept. 16, 2024, at the Colombian National Army military academy in Bogota, Colombia. The engagement, hosted by U.S. Army South, enhanced interoperability and underscored the U.S.-Colombian commitment to regional security with 59 planned joint engagements for the next three years. (Colombian Army Courtesy Photo) (Photo Credit: Army South Courtesy Asset) VIEW ORIGINAL

During the staff talks, the delegations discussed their participation in multiple combined training exercises, which offer opportunities to build partner nation capacity and regional stability while enhancing readiness to meet security challenges. These military-to-military exercises also enable the forces to respond effectively and collaboratively to natural disasters and other crises, while strengthening their partnership.

That partnership was displayed recently while Colombian and U.S. army paratroopers took part in a bilateral airborne infiltration exercise known as Hydra III 2024, July 28 - Aug. 1, in Fuerte Militar de Tolemaida, Colombia. HYDRA 24, an ATA and exercise aimed to enhance technical, procedural and interoperability between the two armies, also demonstrated the ability to rapidly and strategically employ forces in the U.S. Southern Command’s (USSOUTHCOM) area of responsibility.

Also in August, representatives from the Colombian army participated in exercise PANAMAX 24, a USSOUTHCOM-sponsored, multinational, command post exercise held across various locations in the United States. PANAMAX 24, which is aimed at reinforcing and enhancing the long-term security of the Panama Canal and the Western Hemisphere, brought together multiple regional forces to strengthen their ability to plan and execute complex multinational operations.

“These exercises are key to our interoperability,” said Gen. Luis Cardozo, Colombian National Army commander and senior Colombian representative, who also reiterated his commitment to working “shoulder-to-shoulder” with American counterparts. “They are opportunities to continue to grow, improve and strengthen the cooperation and friendship between us that began years ago.”

The Colombian army has also established a robust partnership with the South Carolina National Guard through the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program. This 12-year collaboration enables meaningful engagements between the two forces, advancing mutual defense and security objectives. A delegation from the S. C. National Guard, led by Brig. Gen. David Jenkins, attended the staff talks, further fortifying this bilateral relationship.

U.S., Colombian armies fortify partnership during 15th annual staff talks
Maj. Gen. Phil Ryan, U.S. Army South commander (center left), and Gen. Luis Cardozo, Colombian National Army commander (center right), receive a ceremonial welcome upon their arrival to the Colombian National Army military academy, Sept. 16, 2024. The two leaders and their respective army delegations gathered to take part in the 15th annual U.S.-Colombian army bilateral staff talks, which resulted in 59 agreed-to-actions for the next three years. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Maj. Tanya Lumbard) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Maj. Tanya Lumbard) VIEW ORIGINAL

Ryan described the staff talks as productive and successful, highlighting the strengthened partnership between the two nations.

“I’m confident that we are forging a strong plan of engagement and cooperation for years to come,” he said. “We truly are friends here, so that we can be friends on the future battlefield, if required.”