The US left forces for the Panama Canal: A week-long Panamax-Alpha exercise begins; The Defense Secretary warned of China’s ‘malicious effect’. world News
The United States and Panama have launched the Panamax-Alpha Phase I, which is a week-long joint military training operations focused on regional security and emergency preparations for the Panama Canal.According to Panama’s National Aaronwell service, the exercise prescribed from 13 to 18, 2025 is to increase strategic preparations near the Panama Canal against “Panama Canal and other strategic infrastructure threats for protection.The military exercise is being run by the Joint Task Force-Bravo (JTF-B) of the US Southern Command, which is being run with Panama’s National Aaronwal Service, National Police and personnel participating in the National Border Service.The Panamax-Alpha Phase I follow the Panamax-Alpha Phase 0, incorporating the United States and Panama in April 2025, operated by JTF-Bravo and supported by the American Southern Command.
JTF-BRAVO UH-60 Blackk of Soto Can Cain Arase, Honduras (Pic Credit: @JTF_BRAVO/X)
In April, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced an extended security partnership between the United States and Panama to strengthen the protection of the Panama Canal with “malicious impact” of China in the region.The announcement was made during the three -day security conference in Panama City, where Hegseth said, “The Panama Canal is a major area by Panama, by America, and not with China,” according to the US Department of Defense.They said that “[China’s] The strategic land and significant infrastructure will not stand under the growing and unfavorable control of this hemisphere. ,The Panamax-Alpha Phase I include the deployment of two UH-60 black huxes and a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, as well as boarding and dismalcating operations, sharp rope insertions, rescue crane extraction and communication exercises on marine platforms.The American Southern Command shared images of Simualized Panama Canal Security Operations on X (East Twitter).These drill tannients are being held in Octavio Rodriguez Garrido Air Base (Panama Pacific), Almarrante Cristobal Coleon Naval Air Base (Colon), and Salvador Cordoba Major Air Base (Darien).The Panama Canal serves as a major sea route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The waterway was built by the US starting in 1904 and has been under the control of Panama since 1999.
