Air Force
Air Force delivers more than 167,000 pounds of food to Panama; that’s more than 6 million meals for those in need
Stars and Stripes
August 31, 2025
A palletized load of food is unloaded from a C-5’s rear cargo ramp while ground crews signal in Panama City, Panama, Aug. 30, 2025. (Jymil Licorish/U.S. Air Force)
A U.S. Air Force C-5 Super Galaxy delivered more than 167,000 pounds of food to local communities in Panama on Saturday.
The delivery carried more than 5,000 boxes of food valued at more than $315,000 and will be distributed by Panamanian authorities and local organizations to communities, including Aguadulce, San Blas, Veraguas and Chiriquí, according to a service news release.
It will be enough for more than 6 million meals.
“We are able to change people’s lives,” said Francisco Chávez Jr., donation coordinator at Fundación Castillo Del Rey, a non-governmental organization dedicated to distributing humanitarian aid within Panama.
Pallets line the C-5 Super Galaxy’s cargo bay as personnel work near the open rear ramp in Panama City, Panama, Aug. 30, 2025. (Jymil Licorish/U.S. Air Force)
U.S. airmen guide a forklift into the C-5’s forward cargo deck during offload operations in Panama City, Panama, Aug. 30, 2025. (Jymil Licorish/U.S. Air Force)
A representative from Fundación Castillo Del Rey, a Panamanian non-governmental organization, records rows of food pallets while touring the C-5’s cargo bay at Panama Pacífico International Airport, Panama, Aug. 30, 2025. (Jymil Licorish/U.S. Air Force)
Representatives from Fundación Castillo Del Rey, a Panamanian non-governmental organization (non-governmental organization), speak with U.S. Air Force aircrew inside a C-5 Super Galaxy in Panama City, Panama, Aug. 30, 2025. (Jymil Licorish/U.S. Air Force)
An airman looks on as Fundación Castillo Del Rey non-governmental organization representatives and their family members tour C-5 aircraft at Panama Pacífico International Airport, Panama, Aug. 30, 2025. (Jymil Licorish/U.S. Air Force)
A C-5 Super Galaxy rests on the ramp as Airmen prepare the aircraft for offload operations in Panama City, Panama, Aug. 30, 2025. (Jymil Licorish/U.S. Air Force)
About 5,040 boxes of fortified rice, soy nuggets, and dehydrated vegetables with vitamins and minerals with a shelf life through 2026-2027 were donated through Fundación Castillo Del Rey. It will take about two to five weeks for the food to reach all recipients nationwide.
“These efforts reflect the shared values, commitment and compassion that the U.S., and Panama share through improving the quality of life of Panamanian citizens,” said Capt. Daniel Betancourt, senior defense official with the United States Embassy in Panama.
The shipment is part of the Denton Program — a humanitarian airlift that transports privately donated relief supplies on space-available military aircraft.
Over 1.03 million pounds of food has been distributed across Panama since 2013 through the Denton Program.
“The Denton Program is a bridge of solidarity between the American people and the Panamanian people,” Betancourt said.