Forging stronger partnerships to boost interoperability

Two senior U.S. Army officials have wrapped up a visit to Panama aimed at strengthening defense cooperation, maritime domain awareness, and joint regional security efforts with Panamanian counterparts and U.S. interagency partners.

Dr. Theresa Smith, acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Defense Exports and Cooperation, and Brig. Gen. Jason Jefferis, commanding general for the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command, held high-level meetings with Felipe Luis Icaza, Panama’s Vice Minister of Public Security, and Panamanian Comandante Aeronaval Luis Antonio De Gracia, director general of the National Aeronaval Service. They also met with U.S. stakeholders, including the U.S. Embassy, the Military Group (MILGRP), the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), and the newly formed Joint Security Cooperation Group.

“I’m grateful to our Panamanian partners for hosting these discussions and engaging in substantive dialog on advancing and strengthening strategic readiness and security capabilities across the Panamanian region,” said Brig. Gen. Jefferis. The exchange supported key mission milestones for the Army Security Assistance Enterprise, or ASAE.

“The Army Security Assistance Enterprise remains deeply committed to collaborating with Panama’s leadership to address shared security challenges and enhance regional stability,” said Dr. Smith. “Through robust partnership, capacity building, and shared cooperation, we are working together to develop sustainable capabilities that safeguard our nations. This enduring alliance serves as a cornerstone for a safer, more resilient, and prosperous Western Hemisphere.”

Dr. Smith, who also serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Sustainment, discussed with the Panamanian delegation the need to ensure equipment provided to warfighters is robust, reliable, and supportable over its full lifespan.

“By proactively safeguarding critical supply chains and optimizing the defense industrial base, we ensure that the equipment and systems we provide to Panama and others in the Western Hemisphere remain resilient against emerging threats,” she said. “Ultimately, these synchronized functions guarantee that sustainable, highly reliable capabilities are delivered to warfighters when and where they need them.”