United States Southern Command News

Officials Provide Progress Update on Major Operation 1 Year After its Launch

Matthew Olay — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 12:01:00 GMT

Officials spoke to the media regarding the successful progress of Operation Southern Spear, the large-scale counter-narco-terrorism campaign in the Western Hemisphere, one year after the operation launched in September 2025.

DARPA Transports a SIT Radiator To Combat New World Screwworm In The U.S. With The Help of Panamanian Partners

Pfc. Carolyn Dodge — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 18:37:13 GMT

A sterile insect technique irradiator arrived in Panama and was redirected in response to support the U.S. in the New World Screwworm threat under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency on July 8, 2026 in the Panama Canal, Panama.

Georgia Guard Soldiers Endure Jungle Operations Training

Maj. Amanda Russell, — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 16:33:00 GMT

High heat, constant humidity, heavy rainfall, dense vegetation, dangerous animals and countless insects are what Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade endured at the Combined Jungle Training Center-South in Panama from June 13 through July 3.

Constructing Interoperability: Massachusetts National Guard engineers bolster State Partnership Program renovation mission in Paraguay

Senior Airman Gadiel Concepcion Adorno — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 18:16:00 GMT

More than 50 Soldiers and Airmen from the Massachusetts National Guard conducted a joint engineering mission with the Paraguayan Armed Forces to renovate critical infrastructure at military training sites near Asunción, Paraguay, July 13-26, 2026.

Strengthening Hemispheric Security: DASA Patrick Mason Highlights UAS/CUAS Marketplace

Pentagon News — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Today, in a major effort to accelerate defense modernization and strengthen security cooperation across the Western Hemisphere, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Defense Exports and Cooperation (DASA (DEC)), Mr. Patrick Mason, and his delegation visited U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) headquarters in Doral, Florida, to consult with General Francis Donovan.

Secretary of War visits USS Gridley (DDG 101)

Petty Officer 1st Class Amber Gibson — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 14:22:00 GMT

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Honorable Pete Hegseth, Secretary of War, visited the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) while the ship was pier side in Panama City, Panama, August 13, 2026.

Southcom Mission Shifts to Protecting Sovereignty of U.S., Partner Nations

C. Todd Lopez — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 19:59:00 GMT

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met in Panama with U.S. service members who are learning how to survive in the most brutal, unforgiving jungles of the Western Hemisphere, all while retaining their combat effectiveness.

Missouri National Guard supports PANAMAX 2026 cyber defense partnership

Master Sgt. John Hillier — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 14:42:00 GMT

Soldiers with the Missouri National Guard’s 179th Cyber Protection Team and Defensive Cyber Operations Element (DCOE) are supporting collaborative cyber defense exercises with multinational partners as part of PANAMAX 2026, Aug. 3-13, 2026, in Panama.

Exercise PANAMAX 2026 Concludes in Mayport, Florida

LCDR Elizabeth Allen — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 14:30:00 GMT

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet completed the Combined Force Maritime Component Command (CFMCC) portion of the annual exercise PANAMAX, Aug. 3-12. This portion of the exercise helped provide maritime-focused interoperability training for the U.S. and participating multinational staffs, and build participating nation capability to plan and execute operations.

Shared leadership strengthens multinational airpower during PANAMAX 2026

Maj. Alicia Premo — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 08:04:00 GMT

During Exercise PANAMAX 2026, U.S. and partner-nation Airmen integrated at the 612th Air Operations Center at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, to practice joint air operations and strengthen cooperative defense. Co-led by U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. David Mineau and Colombian Aerospace Force Col. Andrés Galvis Espejo, the combined air component demonstrated how shared leadership empowers partner nations in strategic decision-making. By simulating defense operations for the economically vital Panama Canal, the exercise allowed coalition officers to work through the complexities of different national authorities and command relationships. Ultimately, the story highlights how enduring military partnerships and mutual trust serve as a strategic capability to ensure regional stability and security before a real-world crisis occurs.

Hegseth Touts Americas Counter Cartel Coalition During Panama Visit

C. Todd Lopez — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 23:20:00 GMT

In Panama, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth told members of the recently established Americas Counter Cartel Coalition that the U.S. is firmly committed to working alongside them to dismantle dangerous transnational criminal drug cartels.

As PANAMAX reaches mid-point, 19 nations flex collective ability to protect region

Cameron Porter — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 00:35:00 GMT

What's now being labeled as the most important multinational defense and security exercise in the Western Hemisphere, PANAMAX 2026 has officially reached mid-point, and all 19 participating nations are flexing their combined and collective ability to work together and protect vital interests in the region.

Joint Task Force-Bravo, Missouri National Guard and Panama’s Ministerio de Salud complete a Medical Readiness Training Exercise during PANAMAX 2026

Capt. Denise Guiao-Corpuz — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 20:25:00 GMT

Joint Task Force-Bravo collaborated with Panama’s Ministerio de Salud to host a Medical Readiness Training exercise from Aug. 4-7, at Escuela Altos de los Lagos in Colón, Panama, during the Panamanian-led multinational exercise, PANAMAX 2026.

PANAMAX 2026 brings multinational partners together to strengthen regional readiness

Andrea Jenkins — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 22:33:00 GMT

Airmen assigned to 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) joined approximately 40 military personnel from across the Americas during PANAMAX 2026,which was conducted Aug. 3–14, 2026. PANAMAX provides participating forces from 19 nations an opportunity to conduct combined security and stability operations, enhance interoperability, and strengthen their collective capability to support Panama in defending the canal and preserving regional security. The Air Forces Southern-led air component brings together approximately 40 military personnel from Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador to synchronize multinational air component planning, command and control, and decision-making in support of overall exercise objectives.

Nations Come Together for PANAMAX 2026 Pre-Sail Conference

Pfc. Oshon Trowbridge — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 18:20:00 GMT

The Royal Netherlands Navy hosted the United States, Dominican Republic, Panama, Colombia and Netherlands onto the HNLMS Groningen (P843) OPV, on Aug. 4, 2026, for a brief to outline for PANAMAX 2026 in a pre-sail conference.

Multinational defense and security forces demonstrate united resolve at PANAMAX 2026

Cameron Porter — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 03:41:00 GMT

Multinational defense and security forces have ramped up operations in Panama and are fully integrated and training together at PANAMAX 2026. With a primary focus on safeguarding the Panama Canal, PANAMAX includes 19 partner nations exercising their collective capacity to maintain security and stability in the region while protecting the Western Hemisphere.

U.S. 4th Fleet Hosts Multinational Forces for PANAMAX 2026

L.t.j.g. Paul Archer — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:59:00 GMT

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet is hosting the Combined Force Maritime Component Command (CFMCC) portion of the annual exercise PANAMAX from Aug. 3-12. Exercise PANAMAX 2026 is a U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)-sponsored exercise that provides crucial training opportunities for partner nations to build the capability to plan and conduct complex multinational operations. PANAMAX enables allies and partner nations to advance the development and implementation of standard operating procedures for multinational operations. Under multiple scenarios involving both asymmetric and conventional threats, coalition forces will work together in support of shared regional interests.

Panama hosts pre-sail conference opening ceremony at start of PANAMAX 2026 exercise

Cameron Porter — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 14:43:00 GMT

Panama’s Servicio Nacional Aeronaval welcomed key leadership from the visiting partner nations of Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia and the United States on Aug. 3, 2026, who are participating in maritime operations in support of PANAMAX 2026, Aug. 3-13.

24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and USS San Antonio Transit Panama Canal

Capt. Shawn Doublet — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 17:57:00 GMT

On August 1, 2026, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) — operating as Littoral Combat Force-24 (LCF-24) — aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17), completed a transit through the Panama Canal while operating under United States Southern Command.

Joint Task Force-Bravo completes PANAMAX-Alpha

Capt. Denise Cuiao-Corpuz — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 14:43:00 GMT

Joint Task Force-Bravo concludes operations for their annual, bilateral exercise PANAMAX-Alpha in Panama on July 27, 2026. PANAMAX-Alpha, sponsored by U.S. Southern Command, serves as a critical training platform for U.S. and Panamanian forces.