By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Barrie Barber, U.S. PANAMA CITY, Panama (NNS) -- Nineteen nations have combined military and civil forces in Fuerzas Alidas PANAMAX 2007, a U.S. Southern Command joint and multinational exercise Aug. 29-Sept. 7, to ensure the continued security of the Panama Canal. The U.S. Navy and participating nations have deployed 30 vessels, a dozen aircraft and more than 7,000 personnel in cooperation with Panama, which maintains the historic canal as a neutral waterway that is crucial to global maritime commerce and peace and prosperity in the region. “This year’s PANAMAX is a truly amazing exercise,” said Brig. Gen. Manuel Ortiz, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army South who spoke at an opening ceremony Aug. 29. Vice Adm.