U.S. Air Forces Southern (AFSOUTH) launched AMISTAD 2025 in Peru on June 2, marking the start of a global health engagement designed to strengthen partnerships and enhance deployment readiness across five Latin American nations.

For 10 weeks, teams of active-duty and reserve medical personnel will embed in hospitals and clinics across Peru, Suriname, Paraguay, El Salvador, and Panama - one country at a time. This operation aims to build interoperability with partner nations by alleviating pressure on their healthcare systems while providing U.S. Airmen with real-world opportunities to operate in resource-constrained environments, a crucial skill for deployment readiness.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Jenny Sung, AMISTAD Optometrist, tests a phoropter in Iquitos, Peru, June 2, 2025. The phoropter is used to measure the glasses prescription level. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victoria Edwards)

U.S. Air Force AMISTAD team members and Hospital Regional de Loreto leadership pose for a photo on the opening day of AMISTAD 2025 in Iquitos, Peru, June 2, 2025. This Peruvian and U.S. medical assistance training opportunity offers real-world benefits to U.S. and partner nation medical teams and the people of Peru by relieving strained medical systems, training U.S. and local medical professionals, and promoting the health and well-being of the people of Peru. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victoria Edwards)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Thomas Eckler, AMISTAD Logistics Lead, unpacks prescription eyeglasses for the AMISTAD optometry clinic in Iquitos, Peru, June 2, 2025. Through total force integration, Reserve and Active-Duty Airmen work together and with partners nations to hone skills required for medical and crisis response. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victoria Edwards)

For more information, visit the AMISTAD 2025 DVIDS page at https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/AMISTAD25.

Source: U.S.Air Force