Aug. 13, 2026

Exercise PANAMAX 2026 Concludes in Mayport, Florida

MAYPORT, Fla. — 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.

Aug. 13, 2026

Shared leadership strengthens multinational airpower during PANAMAX 2026

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — 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.

Aug. 12, 2026

Hegseth Touts Americas Counter Cartel Coalition During Panama Visit

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.