The Ecuadoran ship BAE Moran Valverde (D 01), Chilean ship OPV Piloto Pardo (OPV 81), and the Peruvian ship BAP Herrera (CM 24) are moored at the Vasco Nunez de Balboa naval base prior to commencing PANAMAX 2011 sea phase. PANAMAX 2011 is an annual multinational training exercise sponsored by U.S. Southern Command focusing on the security of the Panama Canal. Involving 16 nations from the Western Hemisphere and more than 3,500 civil and military personnel, the 12-day exercise takes place off the coasts of Panama and the United States, including Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Miami, Naval Station Mayport, Florida and Stennis, Mississippi, among others Aug. 15-26.