Chief of Navy Reserve visits Reserve Staff during PANAMAX

From U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- Vice Adm. Dirk Debbink, Chief of Navy Reserve and Commander, Navy Reserve Force visited U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) headquarters, Aug. 21 to meet with Reserve staff members during PANAMAX.

Rear Adm. Kurt W. Tidd, COMUSNAVSO/C4F, welcomed Debbink and his delegation as they arrived at the headquarters.

"We're very proud to have Admiral Debbink visit us today," said Tidd. "This visit is an opportunity for us to discuss how Navy Reservists fully integrate into the everyday operations of their active duty counterparts both in real world situations as well as exercises such as PANAMAX."

During his visit, Debbink toured the headquarters, and got to talk to several Reservists and got a glimpse of the Navy's total force in action during PANAMAX.

"It is great to join you this morning and see the tremendous work of the Navy's total force for this exercise." said Debbink. "It is not just an exercise....your contributions to the operations here at NAVSO and during PANAMAX is significant in that they prove the strategic importance of this area of responsibility."

PANAMAX is one of the largest multinational training exercises in the world. The annual U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) sponsored exercise series focuses on ensuring the defense of the Panama Canal, crucial to the unrestricted flow of global maritime commerce.

COMUSNAVSO/C4F supports U.S. Southern Command joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.