Canadian Soldiers headed to Exercise PANAMAX
News Release
July 28, 2016 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
The newly enlarged Panama Canal will be the focus of Exercise PANAMAX, led by Chile, Colombia and Peru. Canadian participation in the U.S. Southern Command- sponsored exercise consists of 10 Regular and Reserve Force members from 5th Canadian Division from July 29 to August 5.
With more than 2,100 military personnel from 20 nations participating, the purpose of Exercise PANAMAX is to practice methods of protecting the safe passage of commercial traffic through the canal, while ensuring its neutrality and respecting national sovereignty. Training will cover many modern-day threats in land, sea, air, and cyber environments.
Eight of the 5th Canadian Division soldiers will assist in the Chilean-led land component in Santiago and a team of two soldiers will be part of the simulation-based training portion in San Antonio, Texas.
Participation in Exercise PANAMAX contributes to the operational readiness of the Canadian Armed Forces, allowing the Canadian Armed Forces to meet the likely tasks that the Government of Canada will assign.
Quick Facts
- The Panama Canal is approximately 80 kilometers long between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This waterway was cut through one of the narrowest saddles of the isthmus that joins North and South America. Approximately 14,000 vessels use the canal every year.
- Nations participating in Exercise PANAMAX include: Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and the United States.
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