Air advisors help Panama improve aircraft maintenance, bolster regional security

Air advisors from the 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron and the 156th Tactical Advisory Squadron conducted a Mobile Training Team mission with Panama’s Servicio Nacional Aeronaval from March 14–21, 2026, focusing on sharpening aircraft structural maintenance skills to support regional security.

The weeklong course provided five Aeronaval personnel with advanced instruction in structural repair, building on their existing maintenance training. Topics included sheet metal fabrication, damage assessment, repair techniques, and corrosion control—an especially relevant focus in Panama’s humid environment—to help sustain the long-term airworthiness and safety of the Aeronaval’s diverse fleet.

“The expertise we bring to our partners is about more than just fixing parts; it’s about building a sustainable and self-sufficient maintenance culture,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Nestor Rivera, the lead aircraft structural maintenance instructor, 156th TAS. “We saw tremendous dedication from our Panamanian partners. Their ability to perform in-depth structural repairs in-house means their aircraft can stay on mission, protecting their borders and countering illicit trafficking, which makes the entire region safer.”

Classroom instruction concluded with an on-site visit to the Aeronaval structural maintenance shop, where technicians walked the instructor through their workflow on aircraft undergoing maintenance. The session linked course concepts to day-to-day operations, highlighting real-time examples and how techniques could be integrated into existing depot practices.

“This partnership is foundational to our shared security interests,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. William Bohlke, commander of the 156th TAS. “A capable and self-reliant Aeronaval is a stronger partner for the United States. By investing in their skills, we are investing in regional stability and strengthening the alliance.”

The engagement underscored ongoing security cooperation between the United States and Panama and reflected a shared commitment to regional stability rooted in trust and complementary capabilities.