Army Launches Jungle Warfare Unit in Panama

In a move signaling renewed interest in jungle warfare capabilities, the U.S. Army has officially redesignated a key unit to focus on training in tropical terrain, according to a report published by Military Times titled “Army redesignates unit for jungle warfare training in Panama.” The article, released on January 29, outlines how the Army has repositioned its regional priorities by transforming the 128th Aviation Brigade into the Jungle Warfare Detachment under U.S. Army South.

This revamp marks a significant operational pivot as the Army reestablishes a permanent presence in Panama for the first time in over two decades. The newly designated detachment will be stationed at Fort Sherman, a former Cold War-era Army installation on the Caribbean coast of Panama, and will serve as a centerpiece for tropical environment training designed to prepare U.S. forces and allied military personnel for operations in dense jungle terrain.

Officials cited complex terrain challenges presented by tropical environments and the increasing strategic importance of Latin America as motivators for the change. During a ceremony held to mark the redesignation, senior commanders emphasized the growing need to maintain readiness across a spectrum of climates and combat scenarios. According to Army South officials, the Jungle Warfare Detachment will serve not only as a training resource but also as a means to deepen defense cooperation with partner nations in the region.

The unit is expected to host multinational exercises and conduct regular jungle warfare instruction, with full operational capability projected in the coming months. Army leaders underscored that these efforts align with broader Department of Defense goals of bolstering regional security partnerships while maintaining force adaptability in increasingly varied operational theaters.

Though the United States previously maintained a robust military presence in Panama, its withdrawal in 1999 as part of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties marked an end to decades-long involvement on Panamanian soil. The return, albeit on a much smaller scale and focused on training, reflects a re-engagement based on emerging security dynamics rather than permanent basing.

Military Times reports that the reactivation and specialization of units like the Jungle Warfare Detachment highlight the Army’s evolving approach to global force posture, recognizing the renewed utility of terrain-specific training amid an increasingly complex international security environment.