Panamax military exercise brings together experts from 17 countries
Panamax military exercise brings together experts from 17 countries
Exercise brings together militaries from Central America, South America, the Caribbean
POSTED YESTERDAY, 4:21 PM
UPDATED YESTERDAY, 4:21 PM
SAN ANTONIO - In the middle of a swelteringly hot and barren field at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, a base camp is set up as part of a simulation exercise where military experts are working to protect the Panama Canal.
The Panama Canal is a crucial piece of the world infrastructure, with 6 percent of the world's trade traveling through the canal every year.
It takes a multinational military mission to protect it.
The simulation is part of a nine-day event called the Panamax exercise.
"The Panama Canal is part of our scenario but it's also a larger scenario where we're working against fake violent extremists in countries that are on each side of the canal," said U.S. Army Col. Hans Bush, a spokesman for Army South, Fort Sam Houston, describing the Panamax exercise.
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The exercise is not only important for strategic purposes. It's also important for international relations, bringing together leaders from 17 different countries: the U.S., Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay and Peru.
More:
http://www.ksat.com/content/pns/ksat/news/2014/08/12/panamax-military-exercise-brings-together-experts-from-17-countr.html