The Brazilian Navy Niterói-class training frigate BS Brasil (U27) arrived at Naval Station Mayport during its midshipmen training course.
The frigate has approximately 450 personnel onboard and 200 are midshipmen from the Brasilian Naval and Merchant Marine Academies. They embarked on a Midshipmen Training Cruise (MTC) of nearly five months, making port calls in 15 countries, including a visit to Naval Station Mayport.
Upon completion of the MTC the midshipmen will receive their commission as ensigns and will serve on board ships and other military organizations in Brazil.
“Probably the most important thing that I have learned since becoming a midshipmen is understanding how to work together,” said Brazilian Midshipmen Vinicius Melo . “Not just with other Brazilians in the military, but with our partners around the world. It takes everyone working together, as a team, helping one another to make sure we have a positive impact.”
While in Mayport, Brazilian sailors and midshipmen will have the opportunity to tour USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT headquarters and participate in a reception held onboard the Brasil.
The U.S. and Brazilian navies have participated in several different exercises together in the last year, the most recent being PANAMAX, which concluded its 13th iteration of the exercise earlier this year.