A Panamanian soldier and his bomb-detection K-9 get hoisted up during PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I, at Cerro Tigre, Panama, July 15, 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 one 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, hoist a Panamanian soldier and his bomb-detection K-9 during PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I, at Cerro Tigre, Panama, July 15, 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 one 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)

A Panamanian bomb-detection K-9 waits under his handler for hoist training during PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I, at Cerro Tigre, Panama, July 15, 2025. PANAMAX is a 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)

An HH-60 Blackhawk assigned to 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, out of Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, hoist a Panamanian soldier and his bomb-detection K-9 during PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I, at Cerro Tigre, Panama, July 15, 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 one 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, hovers as Panamanian soldiers make an approach during PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I, at Cerro Tigre, Panama, July 15, 2025. PANAMAX is a 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)

A Panamanian bomb-detection K-9 waits for hoist training during PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I, at Cerro Tigre, Panama, July 15, 2025. PANAMAX is a 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)

A Panamanian soldier and his bomb-detection K-9 get hoisted up during PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I, at Cerro Tigre, Panama, July 15, 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 one 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)