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An element of the Panama Police force marches during the Fuerzas Comando opening ceremony, July 16, 2018, at the Instituto Superior Policial, Panama. Fuerzas Comando is an annual multinational special operations forces skills competition sponsored by U.S. Southern Command and hosted this year by the Ministry of Public Security, Panama. Through friendly competition, this exercise promotes interoperability, military-to-military relationships, increases training knowledge, and improves regional security. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Ragin/Released)
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The fire was lit during an opening ceremony commencing Fuerzas Comando, July 16, 2018, at the Instituto Superior Policial, Panama. Fuerzas Comando is an annual multinational special operations forces skills competition sponsored by U.S. Southern Command and hosted this year by the Ministry of Public Security, Panama. Through friendly competition, this exercise promotes interoperability, military-to-military relationships, increases training knowledge, and improves regional security. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Alexis Velez/Released)
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Minister Alexis Bethancourt Yau, minister of public security, and U.S. Army Col. Brian Greata, deputy commanding officer of Special Operations Command South accept the torch from the Panamanian Comandos to commence Fuerzas Comando during an opening ceremony, July 16, 2018, at the Instituto Superior Policial, Panama. Fuerzas Comando is an annual multinational special operations forces skills competition sponsored by U.S. Southern Command and hosted this year by the Ministry of Public Security, Panama. Through friendly competition, this exercise promotes interoperability, military-to-military relationships, increases training knowledge, and improves regional security. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Alexis Velez/Released)
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U.S. Army Col. Brian Greata, deputy commanding officer of Special Operations Command South speaks during the Fuerzas Comando opening ceremony July 16, 2018, at the Instituto Superior Policial, Panama. Fuerzas Comando is an annual multinational special operations forces skills competition sponsored by U.S. Southern Command and hosted this year by the Ministry of Public Security, Panama. Through friendly competition, this exercise promotes interoperability, military-to-military relationships, increases training knowledge, and improves regional security. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Ragin/Released)
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Panamanian Comandos return to their place after passing the torch during the opening ceremony for Fuerzas Comando, July 16, 2018, at the Instituto Superior Policial, Panama. Fuerzas Comando is an annual multinational special operations forces skills competition sponsored by U.S. Southern Command and hosted this year by the Ministry of Public Security, Panama. Through friendly competition, this exercise promotes interoperability, military-to-military relationships, increases training knowledge, and improves regional security. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Ragin/Released)
By Army Staff Sgt. Brian Ragin, Special Operations Command South / Published July 17, 2018
PANAMA CITY, Panama - Despite the cloudy skies, spirits were high for approximately 100 anxious competitors. Hosted by the Ministry of Public Security, Panama this year, Fuerzas Comando, a multinational special operations competition sponsored by U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) and executed by Special Operations Command South kicked off its 14th iteration of the event July 17, 2018, with an opening ceremony.
Seventeen countries from the Caribbean, Central America, South America, to include the United States participated in the ceremony.
“It’s a great honor to be here,” said Col. Brian Greata, deputy commanding officer for SOCSOUTH. “ This competition gives us the opportunity to establish and strengthen relations with special operations professionals in our region facing criminal and terrorist challenges.”
Fuerzas Comando is a competition held annually since 2004, this is the first time FC has been hosted in Panama. Through friendly competition, this exercise promotes interoperability, military-to-military relationships, increases training knowledge, and improves regional security.
“Together we will improve our ability to defeat our challenges,” Greata added.
The nine-day event schedule will test participants’ technical and tactical skills and will include a Distinguished Visitor Program.
“In this regional event, you all are the best of the best of the nations you are representing,” said Minister of Public Security of Panama Alexis Bethancourt Yau. “So make your comrades proud by giving everything you have in every moment."
The special operations skills competition will consist of a series of events that include a physical fitness test, confidence course, close quarters combat, marksmanship, a ruck march, and an obstacle course.
Greata closed his remarks by urging those participating to share ideas, build trust and knowledge.
