Panamanian Vice President Visits Mesa Verde

USCENTCOM, AT SEA

09.17.2009

Courtesy Story

U.S. Southern Command

CARIBBEAN SEA - The Vice President of the Republic of Panama, His Excellency Juan Carlos Varela, visited USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) Sept. 17 as the ship was participating in a multinational exercise off the coast of Panama.

The vice president, who is also the country's foreign affairs minister, toured the amphibious transport dock ship, got an update on Fuerzas Aliadas PANAMAX 2009 and interacted with the multinational forces aboard ship for the exercise.

"The exercise is going well," Varela said. "For these two weeks, the waters around our country will be safe, and we hope this continues on."

The Mesa Verde's commanding officer, Cmdr. Larry LeGree, showed the vice president some of the communications and other systems that make the San Antonio-class ship capable of working with forces from multiple U.S. services, as well as partner nations.

"He wanted the chance to see first-hand what the exercise was all about," said LeGree. "While there is a land component involved, this is very much a maritime exercise. In his eyes, this was the only way to see how things were going."

FA PANAMAX 2009 is one of the largest multinational training exercises in the world, and is taking place in the waters off the coasts of Panama from Sept. 11-22 with the participation of civil and military forces.

More than 20 vessels and a dozen aircraft are involved in the exercises. Participants are focusing on a variety of responses to any request from the government of Panama to protect and guarantee safe passage of traffic through the Panama Canal, ensure its neutrality, and respect national sovereignty. Simulated ground forces are also participating at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas.

Many of the participating militaries have members integrated into the exercise command staff aboard Mesa Verde, along with staff from Commander Destroyer Squadron 40.

"The visit shows there is a very high interest in PANAMAX from the governments," said LeGree. "This is not just a military event, but an interagency, intergovernmental cooperative effort. PANAMAX is a manifestation of the cooperation for the regional security of this area."

Crew members of Mesa Verde said they were proud to meet the vice president as well as to present the ship.

"It was an honor to meet him," said Personnel Specialist Petty Officer 1st Class Jairo Martinez, a personnel specialist of Mesa Verde's executive department. "He was very interested in what we're doing as a ship and as a crew. It's a good feeling to participate in such a well-coordinated international event with our Latin American partners."

The vice president said he enjoyed his tour, and appreciated the ship's participation.

"I'm very impressed by the facilities and also the crew," said Varela. "I am happy they are here in our country helping us to coordinate this exercise."

• Date Taken: 09.17.2009
• Date Posted: 09.18.2009 20:19
• Story ID: 38980
• Location: USCENTCOM, AT SEA