Optical fiber connection system including optical fiber alignment device

A fiber optic connector comprising:

• a connector body having an interface end;
• a shutter mounted at the interface end of the connector body, the shutter being movable between a closed position and an open position;
• and
• a latch mechanism being movable between a latching position and a release position, wherein, when in the latching position, the latch mechanism retains the shutter in the closed position, and wherein, when in the release position, the shutter is moved from the closed position to the open position, the latch mechanism being carried with the connector body, the latch mechanism including a main body and two spaced-apart latching arms that extend along opposite sides of the connector body, each of the latching arms including end hooks, wherein, when the latching arms are in the latching position and the shutter is in the closed position, the end hooks of the latching arms fit within receptacles defined by the shutter to retain the shutter in the closed position.