U.S. MILITARY LIAISON OFFICE (MLO)
U.S. MILITARY LIAISON OFFICE (MLO)
MLO Mission Statement
To facilitate and conduct U. S. Southern Command theater engagement projects, programs and operations in the Eastern Caribbean through a balanced approach of sea, air, and land activities strategically designed to sustain positive trends towards the shaping of regional security forces and democratic institutions, the improvement of regional mechanisms and systems capable of responding to challenges and threats and the preparedness of these forces, mechanisms, and systems.
Description of Section and Activities
The U.S. Military Liaison Office (MLO) reports to the Ambassador and the Commander, U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). It serves as the regional Security Assistance Office (SAO) and has within its purview USSOUTHCOM’s military-to-military engagement activities for the seven Regional Security System (RSS) nations.
The MLO currently administers Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and International Military Education and Training (IMET) funding for the region, and various amounts in other military Security Cooperation-related programs. By working closely with the RSS Central Liaison Office (CLO) in Barbados, the MLO helps improve standardization, interoperability, and coordination of operations and assets throughout the region.
Other areas of engagement include RSS nations’ participation in annual USSOUTHCOM exercises (Tradewinds, Fuerzas Humanitarias, and Partnership of the Americas), Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Preparation (training in disaster response, warehousing procedures, and emergency operations; construction and outfitting of disaster relief warehouses and Emergency Operations Centers), regional conferences and seminars, and training. One special program approved in 2006 is the State Partnership Program (SPP) whereby the Florida and United States Virgin Islands National Guards will partner with the RSS for Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) in a variety of military and civilian governmental activities.
Traditional Commander’s Activities (TCA) are another engagement tool that fosters enduring coalition with partner nations. TCA events (about four a month) are conferences, workshops, subject matter expertise demonstrations, and other engagements designed to enhance training and skills of partner nations in mutual security cooperation disciplines.
Another regional assistance program that the MLO manages is the Technical Assistance Field Team (TAFT). TAFT is based in Puerto Rico and is comprised of U.S. Coast Guard personnel with engineering knowledge who provide technical expertise, vessel dry docking, logistical and supply support to regional Coast Guards and maritime units. Other responsibilities of the MLO include force protection (in close cooperation with NCIS) coordination for all U.S. military forces deployed to RSS countries, processing all diplomatic clearances for U.S. military aircraft and ships, and supervising the military postal facility (APO) at Post.
Reference website/link for further MLO/USSOUTHCOM info: http://www.southcom.mil.