Latest news with #PANAMAX-AlphaPhaseI
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
US deploys forces to Panama Canal: Week-long PANAMAX-Alpha exercise begins; defense secretary warns of China's 'maligned influence'
The United States and Panama have launched PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I, a week-long joint military training operation focused on regional security and emergency preparedness for the Panama Canal. The exercise, scheduled from July 13 to 18, 2025, aims to enhance strategic preparedness near the Panama Canal against "threats to the security of the Panama Canal and other strategic infrastructure," according to Panama's National Aeronaval Service. The military exercise is being operated by Joint Task Force-Bravo (JTF-B) of the US Southern Command, with personnel from Panama's National Aeronaval Service, National Police, and National Border Service participating. PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I follows PANAMAX-Alpha Phase 0, which was held in April 2025 involving the United States and Panama, conducted by JTF-Bravo and supported by the US Southern Command. JTF-Bravo UH-60 Blackhawk out of Soto Can Air Base, Honduras (Pic credit: @JTF_Bravo/X) In April, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced an expanded security partnership between the United States and Panama to reinforce protection of the Panama Canal from "China's maligned influence" in the region. The announcement was made during a three-day security conference in Panama City, where Hegseth said, "The Panama Canal is key terrain that must be secured by Panama, with America, and not China," according to the US Department of Defense. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like For the chosen ones! 4&5 Bed Condominiums at Financial District, Hyd Sumadhura Group Learn More Undo He added that "[China's] growing and adversarial control of strategic land and critical infrastructure in this hemisphere cannot and will not stand." PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I involves the deployment of two UH-60 Black Hawks and one CH-47 Chinook helicopter, along with boarding and disembarking operations, fast rope insertion, rescue crane extraction, and communication exercises on maritime platforms. The US Southern Command shared images of simulated Panama Canal security operations on X (formerly Twitter). These drills are being conducted at the Teniente Octavio Rodríguez Garrido Air Base (Panama Pacific), Almirante Cristóbal Colón Naval Air Base (Colón), and Salvador Córdoba Major Air Base (Darién). The Panama Canal serves as a key maritime route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The waterway was built by the US beginning in 1904 and has been under Panama's control since 1999.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Military Trains To Defend Panama Canal From China Threat
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States has trained for the defense of the Panama Canal during a joint exercise with the Central American country amid concerns over China's growing presence in the region. The exercise, code-named PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I and scheduled from July 13 to 18, was designed to "reinforce preparation for threats to the security of the Panama Canal and other strategic infrastructure," according to the National Aeronaval Service of Panama. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Foreign Ministry for comment via email. Why It Matters U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth previously warned of China's expanding military and economic presence and influence in the Western Hemisphere—a region long viewed as the U.S.'s backyard, which includes Central America, South America and the Caribbean. The Pentagon chief's warning follows U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that China "operates" the Panama Canal, a waterway vital to global trade. The canal, which the U.S. built, connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and has been under Panama's control since 1999. Facing pressure from the Trump administration, Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison agreed in March to sell its stake in Panama's ports at the canal's Pacific and Atlantic entrances to an American-led consortium. Trump later declared victory over the $23 billion acquisition. What To Know The Joint Task Force-Bravo of the U.S. Southern Command deployed three helicopters—two UH-60 Black Hawk and one CH-47 Chinook aircraft—for the exercise, which took place at three air bases in Panama, according to the National Aeronaval Service of Panama. Panamanian soldiers sitting in a United States CH-47 Chinook helicopter during PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I at Panama Pacifico International Airport on July 14. Panamanian soldiers sitting in a United States CH-47 Chinook helicopter during PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I at Panama Pacifico International Airport on July 14. Staff Sgt. Sadie Colbert/U.S. Air Force The exercise included boarding and disembarkation operations, fast-rope insertion, rescue crane extraction, and maritime platform communication—all carried out with "full respect for national sovereignty," Panama's National Aeronaval Service said in a statement. In a set of photos released on Monday, Panamanian soldiers were seen riding in a CH-47 helicopter during the exercise. Joint Task Force-Bravo said the drill was designed to enhance the countries' ability to conduct multinational operations, "particularly to defend the Panama Canal." The Southern Command is one of the Pentagon's combatant commands, responsible for "providing contingency planning, operations, and security cooperation" within its area of responsibility—a region that includes Central America, South America and the Caribbean. The Joint Task Force-Bravo was established to enhance security in Central America and to defend the U.S. homeland and national interests. The unit has been conducting missions for more than 40 years, making it the longest-standing joint task force in the U.S. military. Meanwhile, U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the 25th Infantry Division arrived in Panama to advance joint security efforts between the two nations, including site surveys for potential future training locations, the U.S. Southern Command said in a news release on Wednesday. What People Are Saying The Joint Task Force-Bravo of the U.S. Southern Command said in a photo caption on Monday: "By working with partner nations and leadership regionally, the U.S. creates unity of effort in addressing shared challenges such as transboundary and transregional criminality and region security." U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced at the 2025 Central American Security Conference in April: "We're also expanding training—military training, increased military education and exchanges, and conducting more robust joint exercises. We're going to increase cooperation to deter threats, to seize opportunities to bolster our shared defense." What Happens Next It remains to be seen how the U.S. military will further expand its presence across Central and South America. A U.S. naval hospital ship, USNS Comfort, has been conducting a medical mission known as Continuing Promise 2025 in the region since May 30.
