Media Resources Page

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.

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 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. 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’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.