Members of Colombia's Military and the Policía Nacional de Panamá push a combat rubber raiding craft into the water

Aug. 8, 2026

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

VERA CRUZ, Panama — 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.

A U.S. Army Medic (left) works with a member of Panama's Ministerio de Salud (right) to take vitals of patients (far left and far right) during an exercise in Colon, Panama

Aug. 8, 2026

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

COLÓN, Panama — 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.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. David Mineau, Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Commander and Joint Force Air Component Commander, addresses multinational participants during the opening day of Exercise PANAMAX 2026 inside the Combined Air Operations Center at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Aug. 3, 2026. PANAMAX 2026 seeks to improve interoperability and strengthen collective capacity to conduct complex multinational and all-domain operations to ensure free flow of commerce through the Panama Canal and maintain security and stability in the region.

Aug. 6, 2026

PANAMAX 2026 brings multinational partners together to strengthen regional readiness

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — 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.

Navy leaders from the United States, the Netherlands, Dominican Republic, Panama and Colombia pose for a picture aboard a ship.

Aug. 6, 2026

Nations Come Together for PANAMAX 2026 Pre-Sail Conference

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.

Official logo of U.S. Southern Command.

Aug. 5, 2026

Multinational defense and security forces demonstrate united resolve at PANAMAX 2026

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.

The official logo of Exercise PANAMAX 2026. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet is hosting the Combined Force Maritime Component Command (CFMCC) portion of the annual exercise from Aug. 3-12, 2026. Sponsored by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), PANAMAX 2026 provides crucial training opportunities for partner nations to build capabilities for planning and conducting complex multinational operations, enabling allies to develop and implement standard operating procedures in response to asymmetric and conventional threats. (U.S. Navy graphic/Released)

Aug. 4, 2026

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

MAYPORT, Fla. — 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.

A U.S. Coast Guard service member sits next to Panamanian National Aeronaval Service Maj. Eduardo Batista speaks

Aug. 4, 2026

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

LACONA, Panama — 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.

U.S. service member's on the USS San Antonio transit through the panama canal.

Aug. 2, 2026

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

PANAMA CANAL — 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.

Official logo of U.S. Southern Command.

July 30, 2026

Joint Task Force-Bravo completes PANAMAX-Alpha

PANAMA CITY, Panama — 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.

Three Marines in camouflage uniforms remove pallets of water from the back of a military truck.

July 15, 2026

U.S. Forces Continue Providing Disaster Relief Assistance in Venezuela

U.S. armed forces are continuing to provide disaster relief assistance to the people of Venezuela in the aftermath of two devastating June 24 earthquakes.

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