United States and Panama Partner on Personnel Recovery Mission
Panama City, February 24, 2020. In coordination with the Government of Panama, the United States government will conduct a recovery mission over the next few weeks to recover and facilitate the possible transfer of the remains of two U.S. Navy aircrew members. The two service members are believed to have crashed near Santa Fe National Park in 1985 during a training mission.
The recovery mission will involve three U.S. helicopters and several U.S. and Panamanian personnel, including officials from the Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) and Panama’s Air and Naval Service (SENAN). DPAA works to recover lost or missing military members around the world. SENAN is providing support to safeguard the recovery team members and the investigation itself, which is an integral part of the mission.
Collaboration with, and support from, multiple government entities within the government of Panama is absolutely necessary for the success of these operations and is greatly appreciated by the United States. This recovery mission highlights continued cooperation and partnership between the United States and Panama.
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