Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, left, renders a salute during honors, welcoming Ecuadorian Rear Adm. Luis Eduardo Piedra, General Inspector of the Ecuadorian Navy, center, as the official beginning of the U.S.-Ecuador Maritime Staff Talks at the historic St. Francis Barracks, now headquarters building of the Florida National Guard, in St. Augustine, Fla., February 27, 2025. Maritime Staff Talks (MST) serve as an annual comprehensive engagement venue to program, direct, and coordinate all maritime activities between the U.S. and Partner Nations. The overarching MST objective is to increase coordination and integration across the U.S. maritime services and Partner Nations to plan and conduct theater-level security cooperation in order to provide combatant commanders more effective and efficient maritime force packages. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet is the trusted maritime partner for Caribbean, Central and South America maritime forces leading to improved unity, security and stability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Steven Khor/Released)