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.