PANAMAX 24

(OPERATION FUTURO NOBLE) U.S. Army South Transition to a Multinational Force Headquarters

Download the full release here: No. 25-1035, PANAMAX 24 (Jul 25) [PDF - 6 MB]

Additional contributing authors: MAJ Chafac Mofor, LTC Richuard Ghinelli, CPT Bennett Pena, CPT Michael Trevino, CPT Thomas Joran, CPT John Rader, CW3 Anthony Medder, MSG Jaime Green, SFC Gary Tuttle, CPT Isaac Armel, LTC Gabriela Thompson, MAJ Ryan Breaux, MAJ Evaristo Rivera

FOREWORD

I would like to thank and commend all of the U.S. units and partner nation (PN) forces who came to Fort Sam Houston, Texas to participate in Exercise PANAMAX 24 (OPERATION FUTURO NOBLE) from 5-15 August 2024. PANAMAX began in 2003 and is U.S. Army South’s largest multinational, biennial command post exercise. This year, 11 of our PNs including Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Paraguay, and Peru formed and trained together as part of Multinational Force South headquarters. All of us with a common goal of improving readiness and interoperability. This exercise tested our abilities to plan and conduct stability, security, and multi-domain operations to enhance the long-term security of the Panama Canal and its approaches.

Transitioning from a theater army to a multinational force headquarters is complex, deliberate, and challenging. It requires understanding collaboration between nations, sometimes thinking outside the box, and just a lot of hard work to be successful. During PANAMAX 24, multiple PNs led functional component commands in combined and joint operations. Coming together as one team, our training together provided numerous opportunities to build relationships and to share capabilities, techniques, and technologies. Combining these we are better able to confront common threats and challenges in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.

I believe the lessons and best practices gained from PANAMAX 24 will help shape our security strategy going forward and increase interoperability. The personal and professional relationships established at this exercise will support our future endeavors. My thanks to those who contributed to this document. Your insights and input, along with your candor, made this publication possible.

Defense and Fraternity!