A MH-60L Blackhawk helicopter from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment takes off as Panamanian National Police personnel conduct security operations during this PANAMAX event. PANAMAX 2011 is an annual multinational training exercise sponsored by U.S. Southern Command focusing on the security of the Panama Canal. The exercise involves 16 nations and more than 3,500 civil and military personnel across the Western Hemisphere. The 12-day exercise takes place off the coasts of Panama and the United States, including Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Miami, Naval Station Mayport, Fla., and Stennis, Miss., among others Aug. 15-26.