What term describes routine contact and interaction between US Armed Forces and other nation's armed forces to build trust?

The term that best describes routine contact and interaction between U.S. Armed Forces and the armed forces of other nations to build trust is military engagement. This concept encompasses various activities and operations designed to foster cooperation, improve interoperability, and establish rapport among military personnel of allied or partner nations.

Military engagement can include joint exercises, training missions, exchanges, and other forms of collaboration that aim to enhance mutual understanding and strengthen relationships. By engaging regularly with foreign military forces, the U.S. can promote stability, share best practices, and develop partnerships that are vital for addressing common security challenges and achieving strategic objectives.

The other terms, while related to military operations and international cooperation, do not specifically capture the essence of routine interaction intended primarily to build trust. Joint operations focus on coordinated actions between components of the U.S. military or between allies during specific missions, strategic partnerships refer to broader political and military alliances, and collaborative defense pertains to joint defense initiatives but does not necessarily imply the routine interactions that military engagement represents.