U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Bailea Parks, 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment aircrewman, sits in a CH-47 Chinook, during a training event at PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I, at Panama Pacifico International Airport, Panama, July 14, 2025. The U.S. and Panama have a longstanding partnership built on mutual respect, shared values, and enduring cooperation that benefits both our nations. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Sadie Colbert)

A CH-47 Chinook assigned to 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, hovers prior to a training mission, during PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I, at Panama Pacifico International Airport, Panama, July 14, 2025. PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I is a government of Panama exercise supported by U.S. Southern Command, focused on security of the canal in Panama. The portion JTF-Bravo is participating in for phase 1 includes providing hot and cold load training, K-9 familiarization and hoist training, medical evacuation, fast rope insertion and aerial overwatch training with our helicopters and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sadie Colbert)

An HH-60 Blackhawk assigned to 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, out of Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, lands on a medical helicopter pad during PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I, at Panama City, Panama, July 17, 2025. PANAMAX Alpha aimed to build partner capacity, enhance regional security, and promote cooperative defense of critical infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere. (Courtesy Photo)

A CH-47 Chinook assigned to 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, out of Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, runs its engines during PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I, at Panama Pacific International Airport, Panama, July 14, 2025. 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. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sadie Colbert)

Panamanian soldiers board a CH-47 Chinook during PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I, at Panama Pacific International Airport, Panama, July 14, 2025. PANAMAX is an annual joint exercise designed to enhance interoperability among participating nations and strengthen their ability to conduct multinational operations, particularly to defend the Panama Canal. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sadie Colbert)

Panamanian soldiers exit a CH-47 Chinook during PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I, at Panama Pacific International Airport, Panama, July 14, 2025. PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I is a government of Panama exercise supported by U.S. Southern Command, focused on security of the canal in Panama. The portion JTF-Bravo is participating in for phase 1 includes providing hot and cold load training, K-9 familiarization and hoist training, medical evacuation, fast rope insertion and aerial overwatch training with our helicopters and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sadie Colbert)

Panamanian soldiers sit in a CH-47 Chinook during as U.S. Army Sgt. James Coppola, 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment aircrewman, communicates to the pilots, prior to liftoff during PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I at Panama Pacifico International Airport, Panama, July 14, 2025. PANAMAX is an annual joint exercise designed to enhance interoperability among participating nations and strengthen their ability to conduct multinational operations, particularly to defend the Panama Canal. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sadie Colbert)