SOTO CANO, Honduras — Vice President Joe Biden visited with forward deployed American servicemen and women located at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras March 6.

The vice president was in the region meeting with the presidents of Central American countries to discuss the upcoming “Summit of the Americas,” as well as the continued war on drugs.

Vice President Biden visited with Whidbey Island, Wash. Sailor, Petty Officer 2nd Class Josh McClelland assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) One.

“It was a great moment in my life,” McClelland said. “We exchanged coins and talked for a short while.”

The Vice President discussed the current Counter Drug Mission the squadron is supporting in Central America.

“We understand the grave threats of narcotics trafficking and the gang violence, and the threat it poses to the people of Honduras [and] to the entire region, as well as to my country,” said Biden.

Service members assigned to Joint Task Force-Bravo greeted the vice president before he departed on Air Force Two to conclude his two-day visit to Mexico and Central America.

Patrol Squadron One, under operational control of U.S. 4th Fleet (C4F), is currently deployed to the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) area of responsibility in support of Countering Transnational Organized Crime (C-TOC) operations and Operation Martillo.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (COMUSNAVSO) and C4F supports USSOUTHCOM 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.