Navy League Panama Chapter Dinner – April 2026

The Navy League Panama Chapter is pleased to announce its upcoming bi-monthly dinner, to be held on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, at the InterContinental Miramar Panama. This event continues our tradition of bringing together members and guests for an evening of professional exchange, networking, and insightful discussion on maritime and security affairs.

We are honored to welcome Commander Josh Bergen, U.S. Navy, currently serving as Navy Section Chief at the Office of Defense Cooperation Panama, U.S. Southern Command , as our guest speaker for the evening.

Commander Bergen brings a wealth of operational and international experience to Panama. A career Surface Warfare Officer and later a Foreign Area Officer, he has served aboard multiple U.S. Navy warships, including USS Iwo Jima and USS Truxtun, with deployments supporting operations in both the U.S. European and Central Command areas of responsibility. His career also includes exchange duty with the Argentine Navy, service with a U.S. carrier strike group staff, and assignments in Brazil and Spain focused on defense cooperation and strategic studies . His current role places him at the center of U.S.-Panama defense engagement and regional maritime cooperation.

For this dinner, Commander Bergen will address the topic:

“Maritime Chokepoints Under Pressure: From the Tanker Wars to Today’s Strategic Environment”

His presentation will explore the enduring strategic importance of global maritime chokepoints—such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb—and how they have shaped naval operations across decades. Drawing on historical examples like the 1980s Tanker Wars, including Operations Earnest Will and Praying Mantis, he will connect past lessons to current challenges in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf.

The discussion will highlight how evolving threats—particularly the rise of asymmetric warfare, including drones, missiles, and non-state actors—are transforming the risk landscape for commercial shipping and naval forces alike. The topic is especially relevant for Panama, home to one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, reinforcing the country’s unique position in global trade and security.

This promises to be a timely and thought-provoking presentation, offering valuable insights into the intersection of history, strategy, and modern maritime operations.

We look forward to welcoming our members and guests for what will be an engaging and informative evening.