PANAMAX 2004 Begins

VASCO NUNEZ DE BALBOA, Panama (NNS) -- Naval forces from eight countries begin PANAMAX 2004 in August, a maritime exercise in which the multinational forces plan and coordinate a coalition response to a security threat against the Panama Canal.

PANAMAX is conducted under the direction of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern command and involves personnel, aircraft and ships from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Panama, Peru, and the United States and observers from Ecuador. The participants organized into Task Force 138 will conduct the week-long exercise, which includes operations on the high seas, coast and land.

“The great interest of the nations in the region to participate and expand this exercise is a clear indication of the importance that they place in Panama Canal and its security,” said Rear Adm. Vinson E. Smith, commander, Task Force 138, the multinational naval force of the Americas. “Likewise, Panamanian government agencies and services are involved in the exercise, ready to assume their role in the exercise scenario.”

On its second year, PANAMAX has also increased its complexity. This year’s scenario includes multiple sea-borne threats approaching the Panama Canal from the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific. To respond to these threats, the multinational task force is tasked to detect, monitor and interdict suspicious vessels, and to hand them over to the Panamanian National Maritime Service as the ships approach the country’s territorial waters.

“The complex no-notice scenario and the multinational involvement make this realistic exercise very challenging. We will be planning and responding exactly like we would in an actual crisis,” said Capt. Dave Costa, commander, Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 6, in charge of the forces operating in the Caribbean Sea, which include the guided-missile frigate USS Crommelin (FFG 37) and the Colombian ship ARC Almirante Padilla.

The forces operating in the Pacific will be led by Chilean Capt. Francisco Alvayay, and include USS John L. Hall (FFG 32), the Peruvian ships BAP Mariategui and BAP Herrera, the Chilean ships BACH Zenteno and BACH Macalbi, and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter USCG Legare (WMEC 912).

In addition, the Panamanian National Maritime Service and National Air Service will lead the coastal, and land and air operations coordinating efforts with Panamanian National Security Council, the National Police and the Panama Canal Authority, among others.

The exercise scenario was designed by expert naval planners from the participating nations in an effort to develop combined responses in the defense of hemispheric security. The exercise supports two objectives: ensure freedom of navigation and increase interoperability among nations with critical interest in the Panama Canal.

The Panama Canal is perhaps the most crucial piece of infrastructure in the flow of goods and commerce in the Western Hemisphere. Hundreds of ships transit the canal every year carrying more than 235 million tons of exports and imports, which sustain the economies of all the nations in the region.

For related news, visit the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cusns.

The USS Crommelin closes in on a merchant vessel during an exercise to search for explosives as part of the joint-operation 'Panamax 2004', a simulated attack on the Panama Canal, in the Caribbean Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004. Colombia, the US, Chile, Argentina, Honduras, Panama, Dominican Republic, Peru, the Dominica and Ecuador are participating in the week-long training operation

Navy Petty Officer Second Class David Cain, 24, of Springfield, Mo., uses radars to track a target vessel on a sensor operators station aboard a SH-60B Seahawk helicopter during the joint-operation 'Panamax 2004', a simulated attack on the Panama Canal, in the Caribbean Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004. Colombia, the US, Chile, Argentina, Honduras, Panama, Dominican Republic, Peru, the Dominica and Ecuador are participating in the week-long training operation. (AP Photo/Kathryn Cook)

An SH-60B Seahawk helicopter hovers over a merchant vessel as a Navy team boards for a practice exercise to search for explosives as part of the joint-operation 'Panamax 2004', a simulated terrorist attack on the Panama Canal, in the Caribbean Saturday, Aug.14, 2004. Colombia, the US, Chile, Argentina, Honduras, Panama, Dominican Republic, Peru, the Dominica and Ecuador are participating in the week-long training operation. (AP Photo/Kathryn Cook)

US Coast Guard climb up the side of a merchant ship during a boarding exercise to search for a known terrorist that was being stowed away on board as part of the joint-operation 'Panamax 2004', a simulated attack on the Panama Canal, in the Caribbean Friday, August 13, 2004. Colombia, the US, Chile, Argentina, Honduras, Panama, Dominican Republic, Peru, the Dominica and Ecuador are participating in the week-long training operation. (AP Photo/Kathryn Cook)

US Coast Guard Mitch Workman, center, questions an acting crew member on a merchant ship during a boarding exercise to search for a known terrorist that was being stowed away on board as part of the joint-operation 'Panamax 2004', a simulated attack on the Panama Canal, in the Caribbean Friday, August 13, 2004. Colombia, the US, Chile, Argentina, Honduras, Panama, Dominican Republic, Peru, the Dominica and Ecuador are participating in the week-long training operation. (AP Photo/Kathryn Cook)

Special operations officers partake in a training exercise for 'Operation Panamax 2004' in Panama City, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004. The operation is designed to guarantee the security of the Panama Canal in which the US, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Honduras will be a part of. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)

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