First U.S. airman graduates from Jungle Operations Training Course in Panama

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Duchaine Paul, of the 824th Base Defense Squadron at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, has become the first Airman to graduate from the Jungle Operations Training Course–Panama, earning the jungle tab on May 15, 2026. Paul completed the 18-day course at Aeronaval Base Cristóbal Colón, running from April 27 to May 15 as part of class 26-5.

Paul arrived with a foundation built through joint training alongside Panama’s presidential security force, the Servicio de Protección Institucional, at Cerro Tigre. “Fortunately, I’ve been very blessed to train with other partners like SPI, which is presidential security over here in Panama,” Paul said. “And we got to train with them over at Cerro Tigre. And it’s been some great partnership and just building a relationship with the Panamanians.”

The course tests students amid heat, humidity, heavy rains, thick mud and dense vegetation, demanding proficiency in survival skills, small-unit tactics and waterborne operations. Paul said mental resilience and the shared grind with classmates proved decisive. “Those difficult moments of the course is what kept me going through every single day… I look over to one of my friends, they would be struggling just as much. I just knew I couldn’t let up… You’re struggling. You see your buddy just barely making it. It’s a good option to just laugh at each other like, ‘Yeah, I cannot believe we’re here right now.’ You just keep pushing.”

He also treated the language barrier as an advantage. “It was very interesting. Of course, there’s a language barrier, but it’s more [about] getting the opportunity to learn a different language and refine those skills,” he explained. “So it’s a very challenging time for me to learn Spanish, and also a very beneficial time as well.”

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Jeanna Daessleer, mission commander with the 474th Air Expeditionary Group, Detachment 1, said the selection aligned with the unit’s objectives. “Our mission in Panama is centered on training by, with, and through our Panamanian partners to strengthen interoperability, build enduring relationships, and reinforce regional security cooperation.” She added, “Staff Sgt. Paul embodied that mission every day in country. While several members were medically and physically qualified to attend the course, he distinguished himself through his professionalism, teamwork, and the relationships he built with our partner force. He has a unique ability to connect with people, foster trust, and positively represent both the 824th Base Defense Squadron and the United States Air Force. He was absolutely the right Airman for this opportunity and excelled throughout the course.”

Paul said the milestone was less about individual achievement than representing his unit. “But to me, it wasn’t really about being the very first Air Force graduate to come through this. It was about knowing that I am just an image of the 824th BDS. So I’m not just representing myself, but my fellow partners, my colleagues that are down there waiting to come to the next class.”

He urged more service members to pursue the training. “I would definitely recommend this course to anybody who can come here, because it’s an amazing opportunity to build relationships with the Panamanians.”

Daessleer said more Airmen are slated to follow. “Looking ahead, we absolutely intend to continue sending Airmen through JOTC-P. The 824th BDS already has two additional Airmen identified and prepared for upcoming iterations. Additionally, through the partnership established during this course, we have strengthened coordination with the JOTC-P leadership and anticipate continued opportunities for Base Defense Group Airmen to attend future classes.”

Paul’s graduation highlights growing interoperability between U.S. forces and Panamanian partners, with shared training aimed at improving combined operations in one of the world’s most challenging environments.