MAYPORT, Fla. -- A multi-national training exercise involving 17 different nations called PANAMAX 2012 is underway, with NS Mayport being the nerve center.
More than 600 military personnel including 170 from partner nations including Brazil, France and Mexico are training side-by-side for a week.
The operation is conducted annually with the focus this time the defense of the Panama Canal.
Rear Adm. Sinclair Harris, who is the Commander of the Fourth Fleet, is supervising the joint-combined exercise.
"It is key for us to be able to train together, practice and to build up trust so we can work more efficiently together.
While Mayport is the command post for PANAMAX 2012, simultaneous training will happen in San Antonio, Miami and in Columbia.
First Coast News