Compass Points - Panama Ops?
Marines train in Panama
Compass Points - Panama Ops?
Marines train in Panama
January 12, 2026
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Every US Marine Corps operation today, and every potential operation, grows from the much deeper roots of the Corps’ great history.
Today a small detachment of US Marines begins a series of warfighting exercises in Panama.
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Panama and the United States will start joint military exercises on Monday to bolster defenses around the Panama Canal. This marks the first extended training session between the two nations in 2026.
The program will bring together 50 U.S. Marine Corps infantry troops and 61 specialized personnel from Panama’s National Air-Naval Service, National Police, and National
Border Service. Panama’s Ministry of Security detailed the initiative in a statement on Sunday, highlighting its goal to sharpen response skills in practical scenarios.
The exercises, set to run from January 12 through February 26, will occur at two main sites: the Jungle Warfare School at the Admiral Cristóbal Colón Air and Naval Base and the Marine Infantry facilities at the Captain Noel Antonio Rodríguez Naval Base. These spots enable teams to train in settings that reflect possible risks to the canal, which carries roughly 5 percent of global sea trade.
Panamanian teams will direct the efforts, with U.S. forces sharing knowledge in infantry strategies and combined operations. The sessions build on three similar activities held in 2025, but this one stands as the initial multi-day event for the new year. Experts in security point out that these partnerships refine methods for quick mobilization and unified responses to interruptions.
-- Tico Times
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With the US turning its attention to the Western Hemisphere, it is wise for US Marines to conduct exercises in Central and South America. US Marines were first ordered into Panama during the Banana Wars more than 100 years ago. Marines returned to Panama to fight valiantly in Operation Just Cause 1988-1990.
One battle — not assigned to US Marines — during Operation Just Cause in Panama provides an example of what can go wrong when only a few dozen infantry are sent to accomplish a crucial mission. In 1989 between 20-50 members of SEAL Team 4 conducted a raid at Paitilla Airport. The small ground force did not expect to meet a much larger enemy force.
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WASHINGTON — At H-hour, 1 a.m. Wednesday, a team of 20 Navy SEAL commandos stole onto Paitilla airfield intent on disabling the airplanes that Panamanian dictator Manuel A. Noriega was expected to use to flee the massive American onslaught. According to intelligence reports, the airfield was lightly defended.
But instead of the expected cakewalk, the SEALs encountered three armored personnel carriers full of heavily armed and well-trained troops. A “hellacious fire-fight” ensued. Carrying only light machine guns and demolitions for the aircraft, half the SEAL team was killed or wounded.
And evacuation of the casualties was hampered because the SEALS had set their radios to a different coded frequency than the one used by the pilots of the Medevac helicopters. Eventually, the airport was secured, cutting off one escape route for Noriega and closing down an airfield that could be used to reinforce the Panama Defense Forces.
-- LA Times
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Special operators are trained to get in and get out. Typically they are lightly armed. A Marine Air Ground Task Force is much different. A Marine MEU is a ground, air, and logistics force under one commander that can complete a variety of missions. A MEU has more than 2,0000 Marines and sailors. A MEU is much larger and more lethal than a few dozen dismounted infantry.
Instead of only a few dozen Marine infantry, it would be better today if the current exercises in Panama involved a full Marine Expeditionary Unit onboard Navy Amphibious ships. Marines should train as they will fight. If a crisis erupted in Panama today, US Marines would be first to respond. Very likely orders would go out to shift the ARG-MEU currently sailing the Caribbean to Panama. Upon arrival, the air, ground, logistics force of Marines could immediately conduct any mission that was necessary. When Marines are off a troubled shore on Navy amphibious ships, the Marines can stay off shore and monitor the situation for days and weeks, or they can instantly go into the crisis, to deter, assist, strike, and fight.
The US Commander-in-Chief has said he wants to increase military spending. Good. More spending could help put more Marines on more ships on the oceans of the world. When full, combined arms, Marine task forces are forward deployed to the world crisis zones, 24/7/365, the world is a safer place.
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Tico Times - 01/11/2026
Panama And US Set To Launch Canal Defense Drills
https://ticotimes.net/2026/01/11/panama-and-us-set-to-launch-canal-defense-drills
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LA Times - 12/24/1989
Panama Operation Hurt by Critical Intelligence Gaps
By John M. Broder and Melissa Healy
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-12-24-mn-2129-story.html
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Operation Just Cause Grok: “**Operation Just Cause (Panama, December 1989–January 1990) – Summary (No Citations)**
**U.S. Order of Battle – Key Army Units**
The operation involved about 27,000 troops under Joint Task Force South (XVIII Airborne Corps). Major Army elements:
- XVIII Airborne Corps (overall ground command)
- 82nd Airborne Division (main airborne assault force: multiple parachute infantry regiments, Sheridan tanks, artillery, aviation)
- 7th Infantry Division (Light) from Fort Ord, CA (primary follow-on force: infantry regiments, artillery, support units)
- 193rd Infantry Brigade (in-place Panama force: parachute and light infantry, armor attachments)
- Attachments: 75th Ranger Regiment (initial assaults), 5th Infantry Division elements, Special Forces, aviation, engineers, MPs, and support units.
**Army Air Flow Problems from Fort Ord Due to Weather**
The 7th Infantry Division faced major deployment delays from Fort Ord, California. Dense ground fog and poor visibility slowed ground convoys to airfields. Holiday traffic and hastily assembled aircraft added mismatches in equipment and load plans. Low clouds/fog also affected en route and landing operations in Panama, though the overall timeline held with H-Hour at 0100 on December 20.
**USMC LAV Unit Involvement**
Marine participation was small (~800–1,000 total). A Light Armored Vehicle (LAV-25) company from 2nd Light Armored Infantry Battalion was attached to the Army's 193rd Infantry Brigade. It provided armored reconnaissance, mobility, and firepower during urban and ground operations in Panama City and surrounding areas.
**Major Robert Neller's Involvement**
Yes — Major Robert B. Neller (later the 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps, 2015–2019) commanded the Marine Corps Security Force Company, Panama. He led Marine security efforts during the buildup, invasion (Just Cause), and post-invasion stability phase (Promote Liberty), protecting U.S. facilities and supporting joint operations.”.
I know a fmr SEAL that was in on that operation