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	JTF-Bravo Joins Panamanian Humanitarian Exercise
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        <h1 class="title">JTF-Bravo Joins Panamanian Humanitarian Exercise</h1>
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            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2023/May/12/2003222126/1920/1080/0/230507-F-PJ703-077.JPG"
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                 alt="Members of Panama’s Servicio Nacional de Fronteras (SENAFRONT) transfer cargo from a CH-47 Chinook."
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            <div class="image-title">Exercise Keel Billed Toucan 2023</div>
            <div class="image-caption">Members of Panama’s Servicio Nacional de Fronteras (SENAFRONT) transfer cargo from a CH-47 Chinook assigned to the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment as part of exercise Keel Billed Toucan 2023 (known locally as Mercurio V) at a remote location in Panama, May 7, 2023. Since the 1980s, exercises like KBT 23 give Joint Task Force-Bravo, based in Honduras, opportunities to hone its humanitarian assistance and disaster relief skills by working with regional partners, while also providing aid to remote areas across Central America.(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Duncan McElroy)</div>
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            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2023/May/12/2003222125/1920/1080/0/230507-F-PJ703-068.JPG"
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                 alt="Members of Panama’s Servicio Nacional de Fronteras (SENAFRONT) transfer cargo from a CH-47 Chinook."
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            <div class="image-title">Exercise Keel Billed Toucan 2023</div>
            <div class="image-caption">Members of Panama’s Servicio Nacional de Fronteras (SENAFRONT) transfer cargo from a CH-47 Chinook assigned to the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment as part of exercise Keel Billed Toucan 2023 (known locally as Mercurio V) at a remote location in Panama, May 7, 2023. Since the 1980s, exercises like KBT 23 give Joint Task Force-Bravo, based in Honduras, opportunities to hone its humanitarian assistance and disaster relief skills by working with regional partners, while also providing aid to remote areas across Central America. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Duncan McElroy)</div>
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            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2023/May/12/2003222123/1920/1080/0/230506-F-PJ703-048.JPG"
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                 alt="U.S. Army Col. Phillip Brown, Joint Task Force-Bravo commander, tosses boxes of Meals, Ready-to-Eat, to U.S. Army Maj. Levi Dillon, 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment operations officer, at a Servicio Nacional Aeronaval (SENAN) base."
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            <div class="image-title">Keel Billed Toucan 2023</div>
            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Col. Phillip Brown, Joint Task Force-Bravo commander, tosses boxes of Meals, Ready-to-Eat, to U.S. Army Maj. Levi Dillon, 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment operations officer, at a Servicio Nacional Aeronaval (SENAN) base as part of exercise Keel Billed Toucan 2023 May 6, 2023, in Nicanor, Panama. KBT23 tests JTF-Bravo's ability to respond to humanitarian aid and disaster relief needs with partner services, while providing medical care for Panamanian citizens in remote areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Duncan McElroy)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Sgt. Tucker Sarkissian, 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment UH-60 Black Hawk crew chief, affixes his helmet mandible guard prior to takeoff at the Panama Pacific International Airport May 6, 2023."
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            <div class="image-title">Keel Billed Toucan 2023</div>
            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Sgt. Tucker Sarkissian, 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment UH-60 Black Hawk crew chief, affixes his helmet mandible guard prior to takeoff at the Panama Pacific International Airport May 6, 2023, outside Panama City, Panama. The 1-228, along with members of Joint Task Force-Bravo’s Medical Element and Army Forces Battalion, are slated to participate in the humanitarian exercise Keel Billed Toucan 2023 (known locally as Mercurio V) May 9-12. JTF-Bravo, located on Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, conducts exercises like KBT 23 to test its ability to respond to humanitarian aid and disaster relief needs throughout the region, while providing medical care to Panamanian citizens. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Duncan McElroy)</div>
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            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2023/May/12/2003222121/1920/1080/0/230507-F-PJ703-221.JPG"
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                 alt="A CH-47 Chinook assigned to the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment prepares to land during exercise Keel Billed Toucan 2023 at a Servicio Nacional Aeronaval (SENAN) base May 7, 2023, in Nicanor, Panama."
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            <div class="image-title">Keel Billed Toucan 2023</div>
            <div class="image-caption">A CH-47 Chinook assigned to the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment prepares to land during exercise Keel Billed Toucan 2023 at a Servicio Nacional Aeronaval (SENAN) base May 7, 2023, in Nicanor, Panama. Exercises like KBT 23 give Joint Task Force-Bravo, based in Honduras, opportunities to hone its humanitarian assistance and disaster relief skills by working with regional partners, while also providing aid to remote areas across Central America. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Duncan McElroy)</div>
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            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2023/May/12/2003222120/1920/1080/0/230507-F-PJ703-112.JPG"
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                 alt="A CH-47 Chinook crew assigned to the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, await movement orders during exercise Keel Billed Toucan (known locally as Mercurio V) at a remote location in Panama May 7, 2023."
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        <div class="slide-info-hidden">
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            <div class="image-title">Keel Billed Toucan 2023</div>
            <div class="image-caption">A CH-47 Chinook crew assigned to the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, await movement orders during exercise Keel Billed Toucan (known locally as Mercurio V) at a remote location in Panama May 7, 2023. Since the 1980s, exercises like KBT 23 give Joint Task Force-Bravo, based in Honduras, opportunities to hone its humanitarian assistance and disaster relief skills by working with regional partners, while also providing aid to remote areas across Central America. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Duncan McElroy)</div>
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    <div><b>By Joint Task Force Bravo</b> <span class="date">/ Published May 12, 2023</span></div>
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    <p>Joint Task Force-Bravo, a unit under the U.S. Southern Command and based out of Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, will conduct exercise Keel Billed Toucan in locations across Panama from May 9-12.</p>

<p>KBT is based on a humanitarian assistance and disaster response scenario.</p>

<p>Training will include several U.S. Army aircraft, including CH-47 Chinook and HH-60 and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to support flight operations, as well as a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules cargo aircraft for initial supply transport. These aircraft may been seen prior to the start of the exercise as they position troops and equipment.</p>

<p>As part of KBT, there will also be two Medical Readiness Training Exercises (MEDRETEs), enabling our medics to provide care to Panamanians in the Chepigana District.</p>

<p>JTF-Bravo routinely trains for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and can rapidly respond with its unique airlift capabilities to save lives and mitigate suffering in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters. Frequent exercises with our partners through Central America enable us to strengthen our abilities and partnerships, as we’ve done since the 1980s.</p>

<p>Photos of the aircraft being loaded prior to leaving Soto Cano Air Base can be seen at https://www.facebook.com/JointTaskForceBravo or https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/JTF-B (a free account will be needed to download high-resolution versions from this site).</p>

<p>Being pre-positioned in the region allows JTF-Bravo to rapidly respond to crises, including natural disasters occurring in rapid succession. The frequency of natural disasters impacting Central America highlights the importance of cooperation and training.</p>

<p>As part of U.S. SOUTHCOM’s enduring promise to its regional partners, JTF-Bravo continues to work with our U.S. government teammates, allies and partners in the region to provide rapid support and services, when requested.</p>
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