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Joint Task Force-Bravo concluded operations for the annual, bilateral exercise PANAMAX-Alpha in Panama on July 27, 2026. Sponsored by U.S. Southern Command, the exercise serves as a training platform for U.S. and Panamanian forces, focusing on bilateral cooperation to refine security capabilities, streamline logistics, and coordinate humanitarian support.
“This year PANAMAX-Alpha focused on preparing forces for the higher tempo that will take place during the multinational exercise, PANAMAX, in August,” said U.S. Army Capt. Mac Michael, JTF-Bravo lead PANAMAX planner. “With every mission and training scenario, we are building the muscle memory and tactical interoperability required for shared security challenges across the hemisphere.”
The exercise opened with a series of humanitarian aid missions conducted in collaboration with Servicio Nacional Aeronaval (Panamanian National Aeronaval Service), the Ministerio de Salud (Panamanian Ministry of Health), the Ministerio de Educación (Panamanian Ministry of Education), and other organizations. Using sling-load operations, teams transported bridge construction materials and water tanks across multiple provinces.
On July 7, the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment and Headquarters Support Company moved bridge construction materials from the Panamanian National Aeronaval Service’s Rambala Air Base to the Mayo community in Comarca Ngabe-Bugle. Additional sling-load flights on July 20 and July 25 brought the total to three days of operations delivering approximately 66,000 pounds of steel cable spools, cement, and hollow blocks to support construction of a bridge across the Cricamola River, intended to provide children in the community safe, consistent access to school.
“Delivering this vital support alongside our Panamanian partners proves our ability to unite and project strength in times of need,” said Maj. Patrick Short, JTF-Bravo’s Civil Military Operations commander. “The success of every single delivery speaks to like-minded partners working together to protect our communities through humanitarian cooperation, enabling regional peace through stability.”
From July 12-13, teams sling-loaded five 10,000-liter water tanks and one 5,000-liter tank to six locations within the Donoso Province: Guasimo, Cerro Miguel, La Palma, Villa del Carmen, Los Chorritos, and Union Coclesana. Panama’s Ministry of Health procured the tanks, which will provide clean water access for more than 4,000 residents.
Beyond humanitarian support, JTF-Bravo conducted a sling-load technical exchange with members of the Panamanian National Aeronaval Service. Headquarters Support Company Soldiers spent a week alongside Panamanian service members on familiarization for safety protocols, rigging fundamentals, and hook-up team operations. “Exchanging best practices with our Panamanian partners during these sling-load familiarization sessions ensures both our teams are capable of executing rapid-response missions at a moment’s notice,” said Capt. Alicia Handy, Army Forces HSC commander. “We are stronger, safer, and more capable when we train together.”
The exchange culminated in a full mission rehearsal in which Panamanian members sling-loaded a pallet as HSC members observed, then hooked pallets onto a CH-47 Chinook helicopter for elevator drills to validate requirements. Panamanian National Aeronaval Service pilots also flew alongside 1-228th helicopter pilots to observe flying operations required to support sling-load missions.
JTF-Bravo also executed joint, bilateral training with U.S. Navy SEALs and Panamanian Special Forces, completing two iterations of an air assault during the exercise, with the latter acting as the ground force. The 1-228th “Winged Warriors” airlifted 69 Panamanian forces and eight Navy SEALs using UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and CH-47 Chinooks from Panama Pacifico, inserting them into Base Aeronaval Cristóbal Colón before extracting the teams back to Panama Pacifico.
“From a planning perspective, synchronizing U.S. Navy SEALs, Panamanian ground forces, and JTF-Bravo aviation assets highlights the true value of our regional partnerships,” said CPT Cameron Whiteside, 1-228th Aviation exercise planner. “We designed this aviation support package to push the boundaries of our joint, bilateral capabilities. This training exercise is more than just moving personnel; we are integrating different operating procedures into a single, seamless mission.”
Throughout PANAMAX-Alpha, JTF-Bravo highlighted joint and bilateral coordination, humanitarian support, and force projection.
“Regional stability is built on a foundation of trusted partnerships and shared commitment,” said Lt. Col. Nicholas Kalitka, 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment commander. “PANAMAX-Alpha has demonstrated that our enduring partnerships allow us to seamlessly coordinate humanitarian aid and protect vital infrastructure. This exercise improves the interoperability of participating nations, ensuring their collective readiness to respond to the challenges of the 21st century.”
As USSOUTHCOM’s first line in providing rapid response in Central America, JTF-Bravo plans to continue multilateral exercises and engagements with Central American allies to strengthen readiness, capabilities, and partnerships to deter common threats to the Western Hemisphere.
