Soldiers sweating through Panama's dense tropics signal a return to old-school warfare tactics. The U.S. military has brought back jungle training in the region after a hiatus of over two decades, diving into the wild to sharpen skills against nature's harshest challenges.
This revival, as reported by The Hill, unfolds at Base Aeronaval Cristóbal Colón, once known as Fort Sherman. It marks a renewed partnership with Panamanian forces through a grueling three-week Combined Jungle Operations Training Course that started this fall.
The program trains troops in combat drills, shelter-building, water purification, and navigating thick vegetation amid deadly wildlife and oppressive heat. It's a bilateral effort, distinct from rising tensions with nearby Venezuela, focusing purely on skill-building and cooperation.
Historical Roots and Modern Revival
U.S. forces have trained in Panama since the early 20th century, with the Jungle Operations Training Center at Fort Sherman established in the 1950s. Thousands of American and Latin American troops passed through until its closure in 1999, tied to the Panama Canal turnover treaty of 1977.
By the early 2000s, focus shifted to the Middle East with the global war on terror, sidelining jungle warfare. While training continued in Hawaii and Okinawa, the unique brutality of Panama's terrain offers a different beast altogether.
Maj. Cody McBroom, lead planner for the course, noted, "To survive in Hawaii, almost paradise on earth, is a whole lot different than trying to survive here in Panama." He's right; thorns that poison and suffocating humidity aren't exactly postcard material compared to island breezes.
Strategic Partnership Amid Regional Tensions
Earlier this year, an expanded partnership allowed the U.S. access to Panamanian facilities like Rodman Naval Station and Howard Air Force Base. This agreement, while boosting joint exercises, also subtly nods to concerns over the Panama Canal's security without directly challenging its control.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared in April, "The Panama Canal is key terrain that must be secured by Panama, with America, and not China." Such words underline a protective stance, though the training itself steers clear of broader geopolitical saber-rattling.
Panama's motivations, as explained by Benjamin Gedan of the Stimson Center, include strengthening military ties and reassuring the U.S. that direct canal control isn't needed. It's a clever diplomatic dance, ensuring mutual trust while keeping Washington's interests close at hand.
Training Details and Future Plans
Last month, 46 troops graduated from the course, including 27 Panamanians, 18 Marines, and one Army soldier. Another session is planned for November, wrapping up in December, with 15 participants from each nation.
Maj. McBroom emphasized building a safe yet effective program despite environmental dangers, saying, "I'm down here trying to build this force to be the best force that we can create." His focus on mutual support with Panamanian forces hints at a sustainable, collaborative growth path.
The U.S. plans to expand the initiative, though its pace depends on Panama's capacity to support it. This isn't a unilateral push but a measured step to ensure both sides gain from the sweat and struggle.
A Focused Effort in a Complex Region
Panama has firmly stated that this training isn't tied to U.S. military buildups in the Caribbean or actions against Venezuela. President José Raúl Mulino clarified, "Panama is not lending its territory for any type of hostile act against Venezuela, nor against any other country in the world."
Gedan echoed this, suggesting the U.S. attention to Latin America remains narrow despite increased activity. A broader strategy would involve more than just military tools, but for now, this jungle course stands as a pragmatic, if limited, engagement.
Ultimately, this revival of jungle warfare training reflects a return to fundamentals in an era obsessed with high-tech solutions. It's a reminder that boots on the ground, battling nature's raw edge, still forge the kind of resilience no drone or algorithm can replicate.
