Exercises
unitas
UNITAS, Latin for Unity, is the longest-running multinational maritime exercise in the world. A U.S. Southern Command-sponsored joint exercise, UNITAS was conceived in 1959, with the first UNITAS taking place in 1960. UNITAS has occurred every year since then, with partner nations taking turns serving as the host country in support of UNITAS. In port, UNITAS normally features events like shipboard receptions, professional symposia, sports competitions, Community Relations (COMREL) projects, and cultural days. At sea, UNITAS may feature live fire events, sea control events, flight operations, and coordinated warfighting events. This normally leads up to a multi-day,  multi-threat advanced scenario that allows the participants to work together as a multinational force.
sOUTHERN PARTNERSHIP STATION
Southern Partnership Station is a U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet mission comprised of a series of deployments focused on subject matter exchanges with partner nation militaries, medical teams, and security forces in the Caribbean, Central and South America. U.S. military teams making up adaptive force packages work with partner nation forces during naval-focused exchanges, military-to-military engagements, and community relations projects. The mission is focused on enhancing cooperative partnerships with regional maritime services and improving operational readiness for all participants. It also provides an opportunity for U.S. and partner nations to operate in a multinational environment, refine coordination, improve interoperability, and demonstrate flexibility.
teamwork south
TEAMWORK SOUTH is a biennial Chilean maritime exercise focused on conducting training scenarios in intermediate and advanced anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare operations. Teamwork South started in 1995 as a bilateral U.S./Chile anti-submarine warfare exercise. The exercise is designed to increase proficiency, interoperability, and readiness among participating navies, and is one of the few opportunities where U.S. forces can train with and against live diesel submarines.

 

panamax
PANAMAX is an annual U.S. Southern Command-sponsored multinational exercise series that focuses on ensuring the defense of the Panama Canal. It provides training opportunities for nations to work together and build upon the capability to plan and conduct complex multinational operations. The exercise scenario involves security and stability operations to ensure free flow of commerce through the Panama Canal.
 
The Panama Canal is critical to the free flow of trade in the Western Hemisphere and the entire world. The region’s economy and political stability largely depend on the safe transport of several hundred million tons of cargo through the canal each year. PANAMAX has evolved over many years and now includes training for the constantly evolving nature of new threats in today’s security environment.
SIFOREX

Forward Operating Location (FOL) Comalapa began operations on Aug. 29, 2000 following the closure of Howard Air Force Base in Panama and changed its name to Cooperative Security Location (CSL) Comalapa in 2009. CSL Comalapa operates according to the original bi-lateral agreement between the United States and El Salvador signed in 2000 having exercised five-year extensions via diplomatic notes since then.  In July 2019, the agreement was extended to 2024.  It is permanently manned by 40 active and reserve Sailors, complimented by multiple detachments with temporary assigned personnel. Its mission is to provide critical logistics, infrastructure, and operations support to forward-deployed U.S. and allied aviation units participating in, or supporting, Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-S) Campaign MARTILLO, directed humanitarian missions, and search and rescue (SAR) efforts.

CSL Comalapa operates from a Salvadoran Air Force base located approximately 26 miles South East of San Salvador. This base is co-located with the El Salvador International Airport (MSLP) and includes support facilities and an aircraft-parking ramp with capability to support six medium-sized aircraft. CSL Comalapa serves as a hub of operations for maritime patrol aircraft directed by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command Task Force 47, the U.S. Air Force P9-A (GOCO), U.S. Coast Guard C-130 and HH-65s, Canadian CP140, and contracted UAVs supporting JIATF-S counter narcotics missions.