U.S. Army Col. Tito Villanueva (left), chief, U.S. Army South Operations, thanks Maj. Gen. Helder de Freitas Braga (right), commander, Brazilian Army Airborne Brigade, for allowing the U.S. contingent to observe a Brazilian Army airborne operation during Operation Amazon in the vicinity of Manacapuru Sept. 14. Army South personnel observed the Brazilian military operation to prepare for future bilateral training opportunities, such as Southern Vanguard. Our defense partnerships are vital to security and prosperity in the hemisphere and to our collective ability to meet complex global challenges.