News

A U.S. Air Force C-130J Hercules is being unloaded at an airstrip in Panama.

Aug. 10, 2025

U.S. Marines join Panamanian security institutions for combined jungle training and security cooperation

PANAMA CITY, Panama — U.S. Marines assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, based out of Camp Lejeune, NC, arrived in Panama the first week of August 2025 as part of a combined effort to conduct training, strengthen bilateral security cooperation, and build operational trust with Panamanian security forces.

A Panamanian Security Force personnel hoists a military working dog onto a vessel

Aug. 8, 2025

PANAMAX-Alpha 2025: U.S. Southern Command Leads Bilateral Exercise to Protect Panama Canal

As the lead coordinating command, SOUTHCOM directed joint efforts through Joint Task Force-Bravo (JTF-Bravo), Army South, and a range of U.S. and Panamanian forces. PANAMAX-Alpha 2025 advanced SOUTHCOM’s strategic goals of building partner nation capacity and promoting regional stability through a realistic and scalable training framework.

Aug. 7, 2025

U.S., Paraguay launch joint medical mission during AMISTAD 25

The United States and Paraguay launched a bilateral medical mission Aug. 4 as part of AMISTAD 25, an Air Forces Southern-led exercise focused on strengthening partnerships, enhancing readiness and improving access to health care.

Marine Leaders of the Americas Conference 2025: Day Two

Aug. 7, 2025

Marine Leaders of the Americas Conference 2025 Strengthens Regional Partnerships in Washington, D.C.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES — The United States Marine Corps concluded the Marine Leaders of the Americas Conference 2025 today, marking the end of a week of strategic dialogue, bilateral engagements, and multinational collaboration among senior naval infantry leaders from across the Western Hemisphere and Allied nations.

The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrives in Port of Spain, Trinidad during Continuing Promise 2025, August 5, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations.

Aug. 5, 2025

USNS Comfort Arrives at Final CP25 Mission Stop in Trinidad

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in Port of Spain, Trinidad, August 5, 2025, for the final mission stop of Continuing Promise 2025 (CP25). The Comfort team will work alongside Trinbagonian medical professionals to provide medical care, including adult care, pediatric care, dental services, optometry, women’s health services, and various ancillary support services.

U.S. and Panamanian service members aboard a ship in the Panama Canal

Aug. 4, 2025

US, Panamanian Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians Enhance Panama Canal Safety

PANAMA CITY, Panama — U.S. Navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 2 trained EOD personnel assigned to the Panamanian National Police (PNP) and National Aeronaval Service of Panama (SENAN) at PANAMAX 25, July 6 – August 9, 2025.

Sailors assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) assist a patient departing Comfort in Limón, Costa Rica during Continuing Promise 2025, July 28, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007 which aims to foster goodwill strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations and form new partnerships between host nations non-federal entities and international organizations.

Aug. 4, 2025

USNS Comfort Departs Costa Rica After Fifth CP25 Mission Stop

LIMÓN, Costa Rica — The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departed from Limón, Costa Rica, August 1, 2025, after spending eight days providing medical care, dental care, veterinary care, and multiple subject matter exchanges for Continuing Promise 2025 (CP25).

South Dakota National Guard Soldiers with members of the Surinamese Armed Forces during a first-of-its-kind jungle warfare exchange that concluded July 18, 2025.

July 31, 2025

South Dakota Guard, Suriname Armed Forces Strengthen Partnership

PARAMARIBO, Suriname — The South Dakota National Guard and Suriname Armed Forces, or SAF, strengthened their partnership during a first-of-its-kind jungle warfare exchange that concluded July 18.

Soldiers from the D.C. National Guard hone marksmanship skills at Twickenham Park Range in St. Catherine, Jamaica, on July 17, 2025.

July 31, 2025

D.C. Guard Tests Skills With Jamaican, Barbadian Forces

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Soldiers from the District of Columbia National Guard; Jamaica Defence Force, or JDF; Jamaica National Reserve; and Barbados Defence Force Reserves recently participated in the Caribbean Regional Training Camp 2025, a joint exercise aimed at bolstering regional security, enhancing disaster response capabilities and strengthening interoperability among the participating nations.

Image of Senior Airman Adrese Atkins, 931st Aerospace Medical Squadron medical administration technician, watches as local medical staff replace a hospital bed at Academic Hospital Paramaribo, Suriname, July 17, 2025. Atkins described AMISTAD 2025 as a valuable learning opportunity since he was challenged with fixing equipment while patients were actively being treated in the same room, or patching rusted gear with paint instead of being able to replace it outright. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Elora J. McCutcheon)

July 29, 2025

Making it work: Airman brings maintenance grit to medical mission in Suriname

PARAMARIBO, Suriname — While patients waited in crowded clinics and medical staff in crisp uniforms moved from room to room, a small maintenance shop tucked into the corner of Academic Hospital buzzed with a different kind of energy: One less visible, but no less essential.