DVIDS – News – SOUTHCOM commander visits JBSA for PANAMAX 2022

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO – FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas – U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Commanding Normal, Gen. Laura Richardson, visited the PANAMAX 2022 Multinational Forces South (MNF-S) and Coalition Forces Land Part Command (CFLCC) headquarters on Joint Base San Antonio – Fort Sam Houston, August 10-11, 2022.

“Workout routines like PANAMAX are crucial, as a result of it brings all of us collectively,” mentioned Richardson throughout the closing ceremony of the train. “To work collectively, to speak collectively, to plan collectively enable us to execute missions that destroy the risk.”

PANAMAX is a SOUTHCOM-sponsored train that makes use of communication themes and operational understanding between joint, mixed and interagency operations in an effort to improve interoperability. By emphasizing widespread pursuits and establishing cooperative options, coalition forces observe responses to simulated transnational threats within the area with a concentrate on the Panama Canal.

Throughout her visits to the CFLCC and MNF-S headquarters, Richardson obtained briefings from and spoke to army members from a number of of the 19 associate nations, in addition to U.S. Armed Forces personnel, collaborating within the train.

Army South Commanding Normal, Maj. Gen. William Thigpen, accompanied her throughout her visits to each headquarters on JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and expressed his gratitude for the entire individuals’ onerous work throughout the 12-day train.

“Interoperability is totally the cornerstone of what we do and we had an opportunity to see it from the human, procedural, and technical dimensions working collectively day by day on a 24-hour cycle,” mentioned Thigpen. “To see 19 international locations come collectively for a standard trigger has been phenomenal to look at, to be a part of and to steer.”

Richardson agreed, saying that this train was key to reinforcing interoperability and strengthening bonds and friendships between our nations, however the mission doesn’t cease with the conclusion of PANAMAX.

“We have to sustain the connective tissue and sustain all of those relationships; they’ve solely simply begun,” mentioned Richardson. “As you return to your international locations, your models and your organizations, unfold the phrase in regards to the greatness that this crew completed.”