Americas
GalleryUS and Panamanian security forces begin first joint jungle operations training
Stars and Stripes
October 8, 2025
A U.S. Marine assigned to 2d Battalion, 2d Marines, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, conducts a river crossing during a combined jungle survival orientation course at Aeronaval Base Cristóbal Colón, Panama, Aug. 20, 2025. (Julia Lebens/U.S. Air Force)
Security forces from the U.S. and Panama will begin a 21-day joint jungle training course Thursday at Aeronaval Base Cristóbal Colón, Panama.
The Combined Jungle Operations Training Course — coordinated by the Joint Security Cooperation Group-Panama — is intended to build interoperability and strengthen regional security in the jungle environment, according to a service news release.
More than 25 participants will train under U.S. and Panamanian supervision.
“This course is more than a training event — it’s practice in working shoulder-to-shoulder with our Panamanian partners,” said Col. Ada Cotto, commander of JSCG-P. “By the time it concludes, we aim to have interoperable teams — able to act as one element in the jungle.”
A Panamanian security forces member conducts a river crossing during a combined jungle survival orientation course at Aeronaval Base Cristóbal Colón, Panama, Aug. 20, 2025. (Julia Lebens/U.S. Air Force)
A Panamanian National Border Service member conducts a river crossing during a combined jungle survival orientation course at Aeronaval Base Cristóbal Colón, Panama, Aug. 20, 2025. (Julia Lebens/U.S. Air Force)
A Servicio Nacional Aeronaval of Panama Commando briefs about knots during a combined jungle survival orientation course at Aeronaval Base Cristóbal Colón, Panama, Aug. 20, 2025. (Julia Lebens/U.S. Air Force)
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ochoa, a jungle instructor assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, teaches proper river crossing procedures during a combined jungle survival orientation course at Aeronaval Base Cristóbal Colón, Panama, Aug. 20, 2025. (Julia Lebens/U.S. Air Force)
A U.S. Marine assigned to 2d Battalion, 2d Marines, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, prepares for a river crossing during a combined jungle survival orientation course at Aeronaval Base Cristóbal Colón, Panama, Aug. 20, 2025. (Julia Lebens/U.S. Air Force)
A U.S. Marine assigned to 2d Battalion, 2d Marines, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, conducts a river crossing during a combined jungle survival orientation course at Aeronaval Base Cristóbal Colón, Panama, Aug. 20, 2025. (Julia Lebens/U.S. Air Force)
Panamanian security forces members practice tying knots during a combined jungle survival orientation course at Aeronaval Base Cristóbal Colón, Panama, Aug. 20, 2025. (Julia Lebens/U.S. Air Force)
A Servicio Nacional Aeronaval of Panama Commando demonstrates proper river crossing techniques during a combined jungle survival orientation course at Aeronaval Base Cristóbal Colón, Panama, Aug. 20, 2025. (Julia Lebens/U.S. Air Force)
Participating units include: the 25th Infantry Division’s Lightning Academy; Joint Task Force-Bravo; 56th Signal Battalion from Army South; and U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. They will train alongside Panama’s National Border Service, National Air and Naval Service and National Police, the release said.
The 21-day program will involve three progressive phases — survival, tactics and patrol operations. Throughout the training course, instructors will evaluate teamwork, leadership and the ability to sustain effectiveness in extreme conditions.
“This is designed to test more than individual stamina,” said Capt. Lauryn Westman, jungle operations OIC for JSCG-P. “We are stressing team cohesion under pressure — because interoperability isn’t theoretical. It’s proven when your partner has your back in demanding environments.”
Two HH-60 helicopters and one UH-60 helicopter from JTF-Bravo will provide medical training and evacuation as needed. A combined medical team will also be ready on site.