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Caption:
Gulf of Panama (Aug. 13, 2004) -- The guided missile frigate USS
Crommelin (FFG 37) and an Argentinean P-3 aircraft patrol the northern
approach to the Panama Canal in search of a "suspect" vessel in support
of PANAMAX 2004. Naval forces from eight countries are participating in
PANAMAX 2004, a naval exercise designed to build up a coalition
response to security threats against the Panama Canal. PANAMAX is
conducted under the direction of Commander Naval Forces Southern
Command and involves the identification, monitoring and interdiction of
vessels posing a simulated terrorist threat to the Canal. The
multinational force includes surface and air assets from Argentina,
Colombia, Chile, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Panama, Peru and the
United States operating in the north and south approaches to the
Canal. PANAMAX's realistic scenario develops not only
interoperability among naval forces but also joint and inter-agency
interoperability as the naval forces work together with other services
and agencies of Panama to ensure the safety of the Canal and to protect
freedom of navigation. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Ligia Cohen (RELEASED)
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