I was recently in Panama City and pulled up to what used to be Howard Airfield. I’ve got to tell you, the place is buzzing. Pete Hegseth’s plane is here, and I counted four F-18 fighter jets sitting on the tarmac. Nearby, a pair of Blackhawk helicopters lifted off, likely carting Pete to his next stop. Oh, and there’s a couple of C-17s parked here, too. If you’re wondering what all that military hardware is doing here—so am I.
At first glance, this might look like the U.S. gearing up for a new operation. But don’t jump to conclusions. I stuck around, listened to what Pete had to say at the dock dedication near the canal, and now I’m driving across the iconic Bridge of the Americas—built by the U.S. over 50 years ago—watching ships pass through the waterway that remains one of the most strategically important routes in the world.
Pete’s speech was powerful. Let me give you a few key quotes: