On March the 13th, CHDS was pleased to receive a delegation from the Mexican Secretariats of Defense (SEDENA) and Navy (SEMAR). Joining us from SEMAR were RADM Jose Luis Arellano Ruiz, the SEMAR S-2, and RADM Sergio Antonio Islas Sanchez, the SEMAR S-3. Joining us from SEDENA were COL Jose Alfredo Ortega Reyes, Deputy S-2, and COL Hector Delgado Jimenez, Deputy S-3. Dr. Ben Gochman, Chief of Engagements/Mexico Desk Officer of NORTHCOM J-39 escorted the group.

While at CHDS, the officers met GEN Charles Jacoby, Commander of NORAD and US NORTHCOM, as well as listen to remarks he made to the ongoing Security and Defense Policy Course. The officers also met with Dr. Richard Downie, Director of CHDS, and other members of the staff to review CHDS programs and mission, as well to discuss past and future collaboration. Included was discussion of the Nation Lab exercises that have been conducted for several years at the Centro de Altos Estudios Navales (CESNAV), the Mexican Navy’s senior service college. Also discussed is the upcoming June 2012 Nation Lab to be conducted with the Colegio de Defensa Nacional (CDN), the Mexican Defense Secretariat’s senior service college. The NationLab with the CDN is the first time CHDS and SEDENA are collaborating in this fashion. It will be held at the Escuela Superior de Guerra – the Command and General Staff College.