As PANAMAX 2022 acquired underway on August 1, representatives from varied international locations in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean in addition to Mexico and Spain, labored feverishly on the Particular Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH) headquarters positioned on the Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead, Florida.
Everybody gathered on the SOCSOUTH headquarters of the Special Forces part, commanded by Peruvian Naval Captain Augusto Manucci – one among 4 associate nation part commanders. The opposite three part leads are Brigadier Normal Carlos Silva of the Colombian Air Drive who function Commander of the Air Part; Rear Admiral Marcelo Fernandez of the Argentine Navy who leads the Maritime Part; and Main Normal Rodrigo Ferraz of the Brazilian Army, chosen as Commander of the Mixed Forces Land Part. The commanding normal for PANAMAX 2022 is U.S. Army South Main Normal William Thigpen, with Chilean Army Logistics Division Commander Main Normal Ricardo Stangher serving as Deputy Commander.
For Capt. Manucci, this isn’t the primary time he’s participated in PANAMAX. In 2013, he served as Chief of Logistics for the Special Forces part the place he labored intently together with his U.S. counterpart and got here away with an important studying expertise. That is Peru’s second time commanding the Special Forces part; the primary was in 2020, however the train by no means reached execution because of the COVID pandemic.
“We have been capable of do the disaster planning [in 2020], however we we’re not capable of perform the execution. So, this yr we’re right here from the start. We have now achieved the disaster planning that we did in Panama the place I additionally participated,” stated Manucci. “For this train, as part lead, I’m answerable for the planning and execution of particular operations linked to the aims given to us by Normal Thigpen.”
Manucci went on to emphasize the significance of collaborating in multinational workout routines as a result of it allows everybody to take part collectively, bringing their very own stage of experience and shared experiences in actual world operations. And whereas being chosen to command the Special Forces part is a vital step in his profession, Manucci additionally acknowledges the importance this has for junior officers in his nation, particularly those collaborating for the primary time in PANAMAX.
“Lots of them are broadening their information and gaining that means of planning in a multinational operation which is essential so once they return to their nation, they not solely have the information, however in addition they have the expertise,” Manucci stated. He additionally alluded to the bonds which can be being created with their regional counterparts. “We’re speaking about South America, Central America, america, with whom they’re now cultivating an important friendship, as a result of we’re right here for 2 weeks. So they’re working collectively for 2 weeks, they’re changing into buddies, and that’s one thing that may be very precious; and I’m satisfied that they respect all these bonds of friendship which can be being created.”
PANAMAX contains contributors from Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Spain, Uruguay, and america.
The U.S.-sponsored train started in 2003 with three international locations: Panama, Chile and america. Since then, PANAMAX has develop into one of many largest coalition command submit workout routines on the earth.
