With a U.S. defense strategy focused heavily on the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East, officials at U.S. Northern Command here are enthusiastically advancing engagement to the United States’ immediate southern border.

Army Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr., commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, and Mexican Navy Secretary Adm. Mariano Saynez pause briefly at the NORAD and Northcom Sept. 11 Memorial during Saynez’s visit to the commands Nov. 26, 2012. During the visit, Jacoby praised Saynez, who since has left his position, for his efforts toward closer bilateral military cooperation between Mexico and the United States. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher

(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Mexico, which has long focused its military internally, is increasingly receptive to building a closer bilateral relationship with the U.S. military, Army Maj. Gen. Francis G. Mahon, Northcom’s director for strategy, plans and policy, told American Forces Press Service.

“During the past two to three years, as the Mexican army and Mexican navy have taken on a larger role beyond internal security issues, our relationship with them has really grown and expanded through security cooperation,” Mahon said. “They have opened up to us and said, ‘Let’s start working closer and closer together.’”

via Defense.gov News Article: Northcom Pursues Closer Engagement With Mexico.