Panamax 2026 unites multinational forces to bolster regional readiness

Airmen from 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) joined approximately 40 military personnel from across the Americas for PANAMAX 2026, a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored multinational exercise focused on an integrated response to simulated threats to the Panama Canal and the region. The exercise runs Aug. 3–14, 2026, drawing participating forces from 19 nations to conduct combined security and stability operations, enhance interoperability, and bolster the collective capability to support Panama in defending the canal and preserving regional security.

Air Forces Southern is leading the combined air component, bringing 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 effort provides a realistic environment for allied and partner nations to integrate air operations, share information, and rehearse multinational planning and decision-making.

“We are proud to host PANAMAX here at Davis-Monthan and to work alongside our partner nations as we train to protect one of the most strategically important waterways in the world,” said Maj. Gen. David Mineau, commander of 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern). “This exercise helps us sharpen the coordination, trust and readiness needed to support Panama in the defense of the Canal and preserve regional security.”

Throughout the exercise, U.S. and partner nation personnel will operate as a combined, multinational team, synchronizing planning and executing simulated operations in response to a complex regional contingency. Participants will strengthen command relationships, refine multinational coordination processes, and improve the interoperability needed to respond effectively during future crises.

PANAMAX reinforces an enduring regional commitment through cooperation, transparency and shared responsibility. By training together before a crisis occurs, participating nations aim to build trust, professional relationships and interoperability that enable faster, more effective responses when real-world events demand coordinated action.

“This opportunity was the first time Ecuador brought air force intelligence personnel, and the immense value of this training for our force and our partners is already clear,” said Lt. Col. Andres Acosta, Operations, Intelligence and Analysis officer for the Ecuadorian Air Force. “Exchanging operational perspectives and discussing air doctrine face-to-face builds the mutual trust and understanding essential for our shared security.” “Collaborating in a combined air component environment allows us to synchronize our procedures and learn from each other’s expertise,” Acosta said. “This training ensures that if we are called upon to respond to a real-world contingency, we can operate seamlessly as one united team to preserve regional stability.”

Exercise activities include planning, command-and-control integration, intelligence sharing, operational coordination and multinational decision-making across multiple locations, linking headquarters staffs and operational units. The scenario is designed to challenge participants in a realistic multinational environment while strengthening each nation’s ability to operate alongside allies and partners during a coalition response to a notional contingency.

For Air Forces Southern, PANAMAX supports efforts to strengthen partnerships across the Western Hemisphere by improving readiness, reinforcing integrated deterrence, and enhancing the collective ability of allied and partner air forces to respond to evolving regional security challenges. Beyond tactical and operational training, the exercise is intended to deepen professional networks and institutional relationships by exchanging best practices, improving communication procedures and developing a shared understanding of multinational planning and execution.

“It is an honor to welcome our partners to PANAMAX and train together in support of a mission that matters to the hemisphere,” Mineau said. “By rehearsing how we integrate, communicate and operate as one team, we improve our collective ability to protect the Panama Canal, strengthen deterrence and meet the shared security responsibilities we all carry.”