Marine Leaders of The Americas Conference (MLAC) 2025

Chief Warrant Officer Mike Hernandez, the main propulsion assistant and member of the Damage Control Training Team aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Diligence, explains proper hose-handling techniques to a simulated firefighting team composed of Coast Guardsmen from the United States and Barbados during a shipboard firefighting demonstration during Exercise Tradewinds 2011, March 9. Tradewinds is an annual exercise designed to build relationships and enhance stability and inter-operability throughout the Caribbean region. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class George Degener)