COVER: Marines of Company K, 3d

Battalion, 6th Marines, cautiously

approach the Panamanian Defense
Force station in Vera Cruz during a
search of the town. (Photo courtesy of Sgt
Robert C. Jenks).
Just Cause:
Cause : Marine
Marine Operations
1988-19900
in Panama 1988-199

by
Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas EE.. Reynolds
Reynolds
U. SS.. Marine
U. Marine Corps
Corps Reserve
Reserve

MUSEUMS DIVISIO
HISTORY AND MUSEUMS DIVISIONN
HEADQUARTERS, U.S.
HEADQUARTERS, U .S. MARINE CORP
CORPSS
WASHINGTON, D
D.C.
.C .

1996
 190 003134
PCN 190 003134 00
00

For sale
For saleby
bythe
theUU.S. Government Printing
.S . Government Printing Office
Superintendent of
Superintendent of Documents,
Documents, Mail
MailStop
Stop:: SSOP,
SSOP, Washington,
Washington, DC DC 20402-9328
20402-9328
ISBN
ISBN 0-16-048729-3
0-16-048729-3
 Foreword

The history
The history of
of Marines
Marines in in Panama
Panama from from 1988
1988 toto 1990,
1990, the
the years
years bracketing
bracketingOperatio
Operationn
Just Cause,
Just Cause, doesdoes not
not involve
involve aa great
great many
many Marines,
Marines, and
and Marines
Marines mademade upup only
onlyaasmall
smallpercent
percent--
age of
age of the
the forces
forces that
that went
went into
into battle
battle during the operation itself in December 1989. 1989 .But But for
for a
period of
period of more
more than
than two
two years,
years, the
the Marines
Marines in in Panama
Panama werewere literally
literallyininfoxholes
foxholeson onthe
thefron
frontt
lines.. For the individual Marine, going to Panama meant going in harm's way. Although most
lines
planners thought
planners thought ofof Panama
Panama in in terms
terms ofof low
low intensity
intensity conflict,
conflict, the
the personal
personal experience
experience for for many
many
Marines was very intense, and tested their courage, endurance, and
Marines was very intense, and tested their courage, endurance, and professionalism professionalism. .
One measure
One measure ofof the
the intensity
intensity ofof just
Just Cause
Cause lies
lies in
in the
the fact
fact that
that the
the contribution
contribution to to th
thee
success of the operation by Marine Forces Panama was Out of proportion
success of the operation by Marine Forces Panama was out of proportion to its size—that is to its size—that is,,
greater by far than for most other units of comparable size, measured in terms of prisoners cap cap--
tured or objectives seized
seized.. At the same time, the experience in Panama yielded yielded some
some interestin
interesting g
lessons about low intensity conflict, including lessons in mobility and patrolling
lessons about low intensity conflict, including lessons in mobility and patrolling that an earlie r that an earlier
generation of Marines who served in Central America would have understood understood..
To research and preserve the story of Marines in Panama, Panama, the the History
History andand Museum
Museumss
Division deployed Benis M. Frank in the spring of 1991. Mr. Frank, who
Division deployed Benis M . Frank in the spring of 1991 . Mr. Frank, who was then head of was then head of th
thee
Oral History Section and is now Chief Historian Historian in in the
the division,
division, walked
walked the the ground
ground and andinter
inter--
viewed Marines who participated in the operation. operation . After
After his
his return
return to the United States, he con- con-
ducted further interviews and supervised the collection of Marine Forces Panama records records..
Once Mr. Mr. Frank had fulfilled the collection phase, a member of Mobilization Training Training
Unit (Historical)
(Historical) DC-7,
DC-7, which
which supports
supports thethe History
History and
and Museums
Museums Division,
Division, Lieutenant
Lieutenant Colone
Colonell
Nicholas
Nicholas E E.. Reynolds, USMCR,
USMCR, assumed
assumed responsibility
responsibility for
for the
the project,
project, and completed the history history..
Lieutenant Colonel Reynolds joined the Marine Corps in 1975 after receiving a doctorate in his-
tory from Oxford University, where he wrote a book on the German Army Army.. Following active duty
with 3d Battalion, 2d Marines, he held a variety of reserve billets, including that of company com- com -
mander at the Basic School during and after the Persian Gulf War War..
In the pursuit of accuracy and objectivity, the History and Museums Division welcome welcomess
comments on this publication from interested individuals individuals andand activities
activities..

MICHAEL E F MONIGA
MONIGAN N
Colonel, U
U.S. Corpss
.S . Marine Corp
Marine Corps
Acting Director of Marine Corps History
History and
and Museum
Museumss

iii
111
 Prefacee
Prefac

This story is
This story is about
about the
the Marines
Marines who who served
served in in Panama
Panama around
around thethe time
time ofof Operation
OperationJus Justt
Cause. Since the
Cause . Since the Marine
Marine forces
forces comprised
comprised only only aa fraction
fraction ofof the
the troops
troops inin Panama,
Panama, their
their contri-
contri-
bution has
has been
been overlooked
overlooked in in some
some other
other histories
histories.. This is especially true true ofof the
the Marines
Marineswh who o
served in Panama before and after the operation itself. itself . Nevertheless,
Nevertheless, they faced, and and met,
met, aa ver
veryy
real set
real set of
of challenges
challenges of of their
their own,
own, andand wrote
wrote one
one ofof the
the first
first chapters
chapters in in the
the Marine
Marine Corps'
Corps' his-his-
tory of
tory of operations
operationsotherotherthan
thanwarwarsince
sincethe
thefall
fallofofthe
theBerlin
BerlinWallWall. TheMarines
. The Marineswho whopatrolled
patrolled
the jungles
jungles of of the
the Canal
Canal Zone
Zone in in the
the period
period before
before JustJust Cause,
Cause, in inwhat
whatwas wasneither
neitherpeace
peaceno norr
war, broke
broke new
new ground
ground.. So did the young officers and NCOs who, who, for
for all
all intents
intents andand purposes
purposes,,
took over
took over the
the reins
reins of
of municipal
municipal government
government after after the
the operation
operation..
Since Benis M M.. Frank, the Chief Historian in the History History and
and Museums
Museums Division,
Division,had haddonedone a
thorough job of interviewing the participants and collecting documents,
thorough job of interviewing the participants and collecting documents, both in the field an both in the field andd
from sources in Washington, my job was relatively easy. I was able to rely
from sources in Washington, my job was relatively easy. I was able to rely almost exclusively o n almost exclusively on
what is now the Marine Corps Historical Center's collection on Panama, including transcripts ooff
Mr.. Frank's
Mr Frank's interviews,
interviews, as as well
well asas aa variety
variety of plans, operations, and reports reports.. IIalso
also consulted
consulted a
number of command chronologies and secondary sources, and
number of command chronologies and secondary sources, and corresponded with a few corresponded with a fewof ofththee
Panama Marines
Panama Marines..
Throughout, II was
Throughout, was able
able toto rely
rely on on the
the support
support andand advice
advice of
of many
many members
members of of the
the staff
staff of
of th
thee
History and Museums Division
History Division.. Both the the Director,
Director, Brigadier
Brigadier General
General Edwin
Edwin H. H .Simmons,
Simmons, and Mr. Mr.
Frank himself
Frank himself werewere kind
kind enough
enough to to read
read the
the manuscript
manuscript and and give
give meme the
the feedback
feedback II needed
needed..
Similarly, members
Similarly, members of of other
other sections
sections provided
provided valuable
valuable assistance
assistance:: Danny J. Crawford,
Crawford, head head ooff
the Reference
the Reference Section;
Section ;Joyce
JoyceM. M Conyers
. ConyersofofthetheArchives
ArchivesSection;
SectionEvelyn
; EvelynA. A .Englander,
Englander,the librar-
thelibrar-
ian;JohnT
ian; John T.Dyer,
Dyer,thethe art
art curator;
curator ;andand Charles
Charles R.R . Smith of the History WritingWriting Unit,
Unit, who
whoedited
editedththee
final manuscript
final manuscript..The Theformer
formerDivision
DivisionDeputyDeputyDirector,
Director,Colonel
ColonelWilliam
WilliamJ.J .Davis,
Davis,gave
gave newnew mean-
mean-
ing to
ing to the
the term
term "brother
"brother officer
officer."." I am grateful to him and all the other other Marines
Marines who who helped
helped brin
bringg
the project
the project toto completion.
completion .Nevertheless,
Nevertheless, II alone
alone amam responsible
responsible for the opinions expressed, an andd
any errors
any errors that may appear in the text
text..

NICHOLAS E. REYNOLDS
E . REYNOLDS
Lieutenant Colone
Lieutenant Colonell
U.
U . SS. Marine Corps
. Marine Corps Reserv
Reservee

vV
 Table of Contents

Foreword .
Foreword
Preface
Preface
. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Contents
Table of Contents
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
v
V

Viii
vi
First Reinforcements
First Reinforcements 22
First Firefights
Firefights 66
Consolidation
Recovery and Consolidation 10
10
Neither War Nor Peace
Peace 110
0
Training
The Evolution of Training 12
12
Year
The New Year 114
4
Aftermath
The October Coup and Its Aftermath 1166
Cause
Setting the Stage for Just Cause 118
8
Combat
Combat 2222
La Chorrera
Chorrera 26
26
Prisoners
PDF Prisoners 226
6
More New Responsibilities
Responsibilities 30
30
Christmas Eve
Eve 3322
Christmas Day and After
After 32
32
Reinforcements
Marine Reinforcements 32
32
Operation Promote
Operation Promote Liberty
Liberty 3355

Notes
Notes 3399

Appendix A
Appendix A Troop
Troop List
List 4433
Appendix B
Appendix B Command
Command and
and Staff,
Staff, Marine
Marine Forces
Forces Panama
Panama 444
4
Appendix C
Appendix C Chronology
Chronology 446
6
Appendix D
Appendix D Unit
Unit Commendation
Commendation 448
8

Index
Index 449
9

vii
vii
 it

1'
I. 41

tp
0"
C

Cl)
C U
1
t
0
U

a)
T
t1
\
(I
I
C
z
U

a-
z I
Ci')

-I - __/_
-' C) 2

—.

0
2ç C
IU
I. U
V
—
ta I
flu•
e
C
!b 1
£
9

(5 flCC
EgE ¶
(5 ;jj &
C 01 I -
a. N
0

0
d)
00
I

I 0
 Cause:: Marine Operations in Panam
Just Cause Panamaa
1988-1990
First Reinforcements
First Reinforcements — — First
First Firefight
Firefight — Recovery
Recovery and Consolidation — Neither
Consolidation — NeitherWar
WarNor
Nor Peace
Peace — —
The Evolution
The of Training
Evolution of Training —
— The New Year
The New Year — The October Coup and its Aftermath —
— The — Setting
Setting th
thee
Stage for
Stage for Just
Just Cause
Cause —— Combat
Combat — — La Chorrera —
La Chorrera — PDF Prisoners —
PDF Prisoners — More
More New
New Responsibilities
Responsibilities —
—
Christmas Eve —
Christmas Eve Christmas Day
— Christmas Day and
and After
After — Marine Reinforcements
— Marine Reinforcements — Operation
Operation Promote
Promote Libert
Liberty y

Marines first came to Panama in 1856 to protec protectt Panama, which lay on either side of the American-
Panama, American-
fortune hunters on their way to California California acros
acrosss controlled Canal Zone, were not
controlled Canal Zone, were not always amiable always amiable..
the Isthmus, and
the Isthmus, and returned
returned aa number
number of of times
times for for Due to the location of the Canal and its control by by
brief periods, typically to restore law and order, order , a foreign power, Panamanian interests clashed wit with h
between 1856 and 1900 1900.. When
When Panama
Panama seceded
seceded those of the United States from time to time time..
from Colombia in 1903, in large part to make iitt However, the signing of the Panama Panama Canal Canal Treaty
Treaty iin n
possible for the United States to acquire the right rightss 1977, which provided for complete Panamanian Panamanian
for a canal under favorable terms, terms, the
the Marine
Marine Corp
Corpss control of the Canal by the year 2000, appeared tto o
landed forces under Major John A. A . Lejeune
Lejeune to to guar-
guar- guarantee future
guarantee future cooperation
cooperation between the two two
antee Panamanian independence.
independence . Lejeune Lejeune was was countries..
countries
one of the first to realize that the
one of the first to realize that the Marines ha Marines hadd The prospects
The prospects for for good
good relations,
relations, however
however,,
come to Panama to stay, and, in in 1904,
1904, his
his troops
troops se sett dimmed when
dimmed when General
General Omar Omar Torrijos,
Torrijos, the the
up a semi-permanent barracks near Panama City. City . Panamanian leader who negotiated and signed th thee
Until 1911,
Until 1911, their
their primary
primary mission
mission waswas to
to safeguar
safeguard d treaty, died
treaty, died in in aa plane
plane crash
crash in in 1981
1981.. HisHisdeat
death h
the canal that was under construction
construction.'. ' opened
opened the the way
way forfor aa troublesome
troublesome successor,
successor ,
By October
October 1923,
1923, aa permanent
permanent Marine
Marine Barracks
Barracks General Manuel Antonio Antonio Noriega,
Noriega, who who contrived
contrived to to
in
in Panama
Panama was was established
establishedat atthetheU.S.
U .S .Naval
Naval control
control the
the nation
nation through
through figurehead
figurehead politicians
politicians
Submarine Base, Coco Solo. Overthe
Solo . Over thefollowing
following from his
from his position
position as as head
head of of the
the country's
country's arme
armed d
decades, Marine forces in Panama Panama went went throug
throughh forces.. InIn1983,
forces 1983,Noriega
Noriegabecamebecamehead head of of th
thee
periods of
periods of expansion
expansion and and contraction,
contraction, reaching
reaching a National Guard, which he soon combined with th
National thee
peak of 36 officers, 3 warrant officers, and 1,571
peak 1,57 1 Air Force and
Air Force and NavyNavy to to create
create the the Panamania
Panamaniann
enlisted men men in in February
February 1945 1945.. They
They also
also went
went Defense Forces (PDF)
Defense (PDF)..
through aa number
through number of of redesignations
redesignations and and reloca-
reloca- By 1988, the PDF was as much a social and polit-
By
tions.. In
tions In1943,
1943,Marines
Marines in in Panama
Panama were were consoli-
consoli- ical system
ical system as as aa military
militaryforce
force.. ItIt was
was aa conglomer-
conglomer-
dated under
dated under Marine
Marine Barracks,
Barracks, Fifteenth
Fifteenth Nava Navall ate of
ate of police,
police, military,
military, and paramilitary organiza- organiza-
District, which
District, which waswas renamed
renamed MarineMarine Barracks
Barracks,, tions with a total strength in the neighborhood of of
Rodman, Canal
Rodman, Canal Zone,
Zone, in in1976
1976.. In
In August
August 1987,
1987, the the 15,000 . However, it could only field some 3,000 ttoo
15,000.
official title
official title was
was changed
changed to to Marine
Marine Corps
Corps Securit
Securityy 3,500 combat
3,500 combat troops,
troops, largely
largelytrained
trainedand andequippe
equipped d
Force (MCSF)
(MCSF) Company,
Company,Panama Panama.. Nevertheless,
Nevertheless, th thee by the
the UU.S.Army.
.S .Army. On Onthe
the ground,
ground, the the PDF
PDF hadhad twtwoo
standing complement of approximately five five offi-
offi- battalions
battalions in in each
each ofof the
the country's
country's 13 13 militar
militaryy
cers and 125 125 Marines
Marines remained
remainedat atU.S.
U .S .Naval
Naval zones, in addition to 10 independent companies, aa
Station Panama Canal, also known as Rodman cavalry squadron,
squadron, and and aa handful
handful of of special
special forces
forces..
Naval Station,
Station, which
which was was located
located on on the
the wester
western n The PDF's
The PDF's airair arm
arm had
had roughly
roughly 50 50 aircraft,
aircraft, while
while ititss
shore of the Canal near the Pacific Pacific Ocean
Ocean exit.2
exit . ' navy could
navy could deploy
deploy 12 12small
smallvessels
vessels.. Complement-
Complement-
The title
The title suggested
suggested the the mission
mission.. By now, the the pri-
pri- ing Panamanian
ing Panamanian DefenseDefense Forces
Forces werewere the
the so-calle
so-calledd
mary mission of the Marines in Panama was to pro-
mary "Dignity
"Dignity Battalions Supposedly created
Battalions."." Supposedly created tto o
tect local
tect local naval
naval installations,
installations, while while that
that of of U.S.
U .S . counter American aggression, the Dignity Battal-
counter
Army units in
Army units in the
the Canal
Canal Zone Zone waswas toto protect
protect the the ions were
ions were little more than formations of laborers laborers,,
Canal itself.
Canal itself. In In1988,
1988,Army Armyunits
unitsoperated
operated under
under many of
many of whom
whom were were unemployed,
unemployed, with with an
an overlay
overlay
the umbrella of
the of U.S.
U .S . Army
Army South (USArSo), whic
South (USArSo), which h of military
of militarydiscipline
discipline.. There
There were
were 14 14 such
such battal-
battal-
was
was inin turn
turn aa component
component of of Southern
Southern Command
Command ions, each of which could deploy some 200 200 to
to 25
2500
(SouthCom).. Both
(SouthCom) Both commands
commands had had their
their headquar-
headquar- members.
members .
ters in Panama
ters Panama.. Although Noriega
Although Noriega had a history of cooperatin cooperatingg
Over the
Over the years
years since
since 1903,
1903, relations
relations withwith with American intelligence agencies, his involve-

11
 ____ ______
t

1'
'a.

1 'i& 4t:t
-
- 't4A'tIF
,
4A..jr 'i
Tir •%t
yM4 E' -t
-k

Watercolor by
Watercolor by Anthony
Anthony F.
F. Stadler
Stadler
Referred
Referred to to as the "Big"Big House,"
House," the the headquarters
headquarters building
building of of Marine
Marine Barracks,
Barracks,
Panama, was was built
built inin 1965.
1965 . Although
Althoughheadquartered
headquartered at atRodman
RodmanNaval Naval Station,
the barracks
the barracks included a number number of of separate
separate detachments
detachments scattered
scattered throughout the th e
Canal Zone.
Canal
ment in
ment in the
the drug
drug trade
trade eventually
eventuallymade madeititimpossi-
impossi- Pentagon was
Pentagon was not
not ready
ready for
for Elaborate
Elaborate Maze,
Maze, andand ththee
ble for the U.S.
ble Government to
U .S . Government to continue
continue to to wor
workk first contingent of Marine reinforcements was aa
first contingent of Marine reinforcements was
with him. Relationsbetween
him . Relations betweenthe thetwo
two countrie
countriess great deal
great deal smaller,
smaller, intended
intended only only toto strengthe
strengthenn
worsened markedly when, in February 1988, two Marine security
Marine securityforces
forces.. The
The initial contingent wa wass
Florida federal grand
Florida federal grand juries
juries indicted
indicted himhim oonn a platoon from Fleet Anti-Terrorist Security Team
charges
charges of of racketeering
racketeering and and trafficking
trafficking in in nar-
nar- (FAST) Company, Marine Corps Security Forc Forcee
cotics.
cotics . Due in part to the indictments,
indictments, Panamania
Panamanian n Battalion, Atlantic, based in Norfolk, Virginia . A
Battalion, Atlantic, based in Norfolk, Virginia. A
President Eric Arturo Delvalle
Delvalle attempted
attempted to to depos
deposee kind of
kind of military
military SWAT
SWAT team,
team,thetheFAST
FASTplatoon
platoonwa wass
Noriega, but without success. InsteadNorieg
success . Instead Noriegaa trained in close-quarter
close-quarter battle techniques
techniques.. Arriving
Arrivin g
engineered Delvalle's dismissal
dismissal.. The result was fur- in Panama on
in Panama on 14 March, the
14 March, the platoon
platoon was was placed
place d
ther civil disorder and both implicitimplicit andand explici
explicitt under the operational control of the
control of the MCS EMCSE
threats to American lives and property, includin
threats includingg Major EddieAA.
Major Eddie Keith,the
. Keith, thesecurity
securityforce's
forces com-
com-
incursions into
incursions into U.S.
U .S . Navy
Navy installations.
installations . manding officer, decided to use the platoon to pro-
tect the Naval Station's
Stations Arraijan
Arraijan Tank Farm (ATF), (ATF) ,
First Reinforcements
Reinforcements where fuel was stored in
was stored in 37 37 underground
underground tanks tanks foforr
use by all American forces in Panama.
use by all American forces in Panama . The tan k The tank
The United States reacted
reacted toto the
the heightened
heightened ten-ten- farm covered
covered approximately
approximately two two square
square kilome-
kilome-
sions first by
sions first by updating
updating contingency
contingency plans plans fo forr ters of rolling grassland, apparently designed ttoo
Panama and then by sending reinforcements to th thee resemble aa golf
resemble golf course
course from
from thethe air,
air, but
but was
was sur-
sur-
Canal Zone.. The
Canal Zone The plans
plans included
included provisions
provisions forfor aa rounded by dense jungle, which provided
rounded by dense jungle, which provided excel- excel-
Marine Expeditionary
Expeditionary Brigade
Brigade to to deploy
deploy to
to Panam
Panamaa lent avenues
avenues of of approach
approach bothboth toto the
the storage
storage tank
tankss
as part
part of
of Operation
Operation Elaborate
Elaborate Maze Maze.. But Butthethe and to Howard Air Force Base to the
and to Howard Air Force Base to the south . In th south. In thee

2
2
[! kt 4t72Y. 1"2r

33
jungle, visibility was limited to a few feet, even by ings through the chain of command,
command, the the standar
standardd
day, and
and movement
movement was was slow
slow and
and exhausting
exhausting.. Th Thee response was
was that
that Panamanian
Panamanian Defense
Defense Forces
Forces di didd
rule of
rule of thumb
thumb was was that
that aa patrol
patrol could
could cover
cover no not have night
night vision
vision devices
devices and
andthat
thatU.S.
U .S .Army
Army
more than 500 meters
more meters in in one
one hour.
hour.The
The ATFATF waswa s units had dug the holes during training
training exercises
exercises..
bounded on the north by the Naval Ammunition
bounded However, the Marines conducted further research research,,
Depot, or
Depot, or ammunition
ammunition supply
supply point
point (ASP),
(ASP), whicwhichh and discovered that no Army units had trained trained iinn
was fenced
fenced.. But for the most part the tank far farmm the
the vicinity
vicinity in recent months,
in recent months, and
and that
that the
the Army
Arm y
was not fenced as it bordered the the Pan-American,
Pan-American, oorr had sold night vision devices to Panama during the the
Thatcher, Highway, the best high-speed
Thatcher, Highway, the best high-speed avenue avenue ooff past decade
past decade.3. '
approach inin the
the country.
country Under
Under the
the circumstances,
circumstances , While the
While the FAST platoon patrolled the ATF, the
it was nearly impossible for Marine security forces forces,, political climate continued to worsen and and the
the 6t
6thh
with their limited
limited resources,
resources, toto guard
guard the
the tank
tank far
farm
m Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Brigade (MEB)
(MEB) staff
staff at
at Cam
Camp p
properly,
properly, let
let alone
alone both
both the
the fuel
fuel and
and ammunition
ammunition Lejeune, North
North Carolina,
Carolina, prepared
prepared for possible
possibl e
storage facilities
storage facilities.. deployment to Panama in accordance with contin-
Soon after
Soon after its deployment to the Arraijan Tank gency plan
gency plan Elaborate
ElaborateMaze Maze.. Although
Although Souther
Southernn
Farm, the platoon
platoon reported
reported the
the presence
presence ofof intrud-
intrud- Command showed little, if any, enthusiasm for fur fur--
ers, usually
usually atat night
night.. The
The Marines
Marines described
described the ther Marine reinforcements, 6th MEB planner plannerss
intruders as individuals wearing black camouflagcamouflage e assumed an
assumed an all
all or
or nothing"
nothing" approach
approach.. Should rein-
rein-
uniforms, carrying
carrying weapons and night vision visio n forcements be
forcements be ordered,
ordered, the
the brigade
brigade was
was prepare
prepared d
devices. Dailypatrols
devices . Daily patrolsfound
found freshly
freshly dug
dug fighting
fighting to deploy
to deploy most
most of of its
its strength,
strength, toto include
include tw twoo
holes. When the
holes . When the security
security force
force reported
reported itsits find-
find- infantry battalions,
infantry helicopterr
reinforced helicopte
battalions, aa reinforced
Marines patrol
Marines patrol up
up aa small
small stream
stream in
in the
the jungle
jungle surrounding
surroundingthe
theArraijan
Arrajan Tank
Tank
Farm.. The
Farm The terrain
terrain provided
provided intruders
intruders with
with good
good cover
cover and
and avenues
avenues of
of approac
approachh

I, '
both to the fuel storage facility and Howard Air Force Base.Base.
___ 4
____
'I,, __

et
-; i :'(t*.•"Wi'-t c'\'
ssr,i4',iç., I,,
4)l —
4

_,I\
0

'-
-, jr2T •4t \ \
— -r -
I
ttt*4
-
,ar-
I S
I -

S. '_
0
•--a- :_'
"_a . ':t' - t
-....r'

44
 4

-
a

y
Watercolorby
Watercolor byAnttsony
Anthony FF Stadlerr
. Stadle

A panoramic
A panoramic view
view of
of Rodman
Rodman Naval
Naval Station
Station reveals
reveals its
its situation
situation on
on the
the northern
northern
shore of
of Balboa
Balboa Harbor,
Harbo from
fromwhere
whereititcontrolled
controlledthe
thePacific
Pacificentrance
entrance to
to the
the Canal.
Canal.

squadron, and a detachment of OV-10 Bronco air-

squadron, air - (BSSG-6) SouthCom's
(BSSG-6) commander, Genera
SouthCom's commander, Generall
craft.
craft . On 31 March, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic Frederick F.
Frederick F Woerner, USA,
USA, decided
decided that
that the
the pres-
pres-
(FMFLant), ordered the MEB to deploy in accor- ence of a large number of Army and Air Force air-
ence
dance with a Joint Chiefs of Staff directive.
directive .The
The fol-
fol- craft in
craft in Panama
Panama precluded
precluded the
the need
need forforany
anyMarin
Marine e
lowing day, an advance party of three brigade staf stafff air assets
air assets.. The
The MAGTF,
MAGTF, therefore,
therefore, waswas not
not aa tru
truee
officers flew to
officers flew to Panama
Panama to to coordinate
coordinate thethe move-
move- 'air-ground" task force, a fact which some Marin
"air-ground" Marinee
ment of forces.4
forces . ' commanders, wholeheartedly
commanders, wholeheartedly committed
committed to the
On 1 April, the Pentagon formally announced announce d MAGTF concept,
MAGTF concept, regretted
regretted despite
despite the
the fact
fact that
that the
that 1,300 additional
that 1,300 additional U U.S. troops would
.S . troops would bebe sent
sent tto
o Marines in
Marines in Panama
Panama were
were more
more ofof aa security
security forc
forcee
Panama, including 300 Marines, once again simply simply than a maneuver
than maneuver element.5
element. '
to enhance security in in view
view of of the
the growing
growing tensio
tensionn Marine reinforcements
Marine reinforcements beganbegan flowing
flowing int intoo
and unrest.
and unrest . Since the full strength of the brigade Panama on
Panama on 66 April,
April, under
under the
the command
command of of the
the
would notnot be needed, FMFLant, nevertheless,nevertheless , brigade's chief of staff, Colonel
brigade's Colonel William
William J. J. Conley,
Conley,
decided that the 300 Marines
Marines would would deploy
deploy as as a the senior
the senior officer
officer present
present.. Colonel
Colonel Conley arrive arrivedd
provisional Marine Air-Ground Task Task Force
Force (MAGTF
(MAGTF)) in Panama
in Panama to to facilitate
facilitate the
the movement
movement of of th
thee
built around a reinforced rifle company under th thee brigade, not
brigade, not to
to command
command.. However, However,sinc sincee
administrative control
control ofof 6th
6th MEB
MEB.. The idea waswas for
for Southern Command
Southern Command did did not
not see
see the
the need
need for
for addi-
addi-
the MAGTF to to serve
serve asas cadre
cadre forfor the
the eventua
eventuall tional Marine
tional Marine forces
forces beyond
beyond thethe reinforced
reinforced riflriflee
deployment of
deployment of the
the entire
entire brigade
brigade.. For that reason,
reason , company, and
company, and since
since the
the Pentagon
Pentagon decided
decided to to sto
stopp
the MEB
the MEB supplied
supplied thethe command
command element,
element, while
while 22d d well short
well short of
of executing
executing Elaborate
Elaborate Maze,
Maze, the the ME
MEB B
Marine Division
Marine Division provided
provided aa rifle
rifle company
company and and 22dd commander never
commander never deployed,
deployed, andand Colonel
Colonel ConleConley y
Force Service
Force Service Support
Support Group,Group, aa group
group of of 4400 assumed command
assumed command..
Marines, to
Marines, to form
form Brigade
Brigade Service
Service Support
Support Group
Group 66 The provisional
The provisional MAGTF
MAGTF initially
initially came
came under
under th thee

55
operational
operational control
controlof
ofU.S.
U .S .Navy
Navy South
. South (USNavS0),
(USNavSo) , operations order
operations order forfor thethe defense
defense of of the
the tank
tank farmfarm,,
and the rifle company, Company
Company I,I, 3d 3d Battalion,
Battalion, 4t
4thh as well as other nearby installations
installations.8."
Marines, began to
Marines, began to operate
operate inin direct
direct support
support ofof th
thee Captain Valore used the information he obtaine obtainedd
commander of
commander of Rodman
Rodman Naval Naval Station,
Station, where
where thethe to analyze
analyze the the situation
situation and and the
the mission
mission.. He real-
MAGTF plantedits
MAGTF planted itsflag
flag.. Soon
Soon thereafter,
thereafter, an
an agree-
agree- ized that
ized that he
he would
would need need to to plan
plan carefully,
carefully, sincesince hi hiss
ment was reached between Colonel Colonel Conley
Conley an andd mission was
mission was ambitious
ambitious for for aa reinforced
reinforced rifle rifle com-
com-
Rear Admiral
Admiral Jerry
Jerry G.G.Gnecknow,
Gnecknow, USN, USNavSUSNavSo o pany, given
pany, given the
the terrain
terrain andand thethe threat
threat.. He conclud-
commander, that he, Colonel
Colonel Conley,
Conley, would
would assum
assume e ed that
ed that the
the best
best wayway to to cover
cover thethe terrain
terrain and and toto
control of all Marine ground forces in the event ooff minimize the
minimize the threat
threat to to his
his Marines
Marines was was to to us
usee
an emergency
emergency.. The understanding formed the basis patrolling techniques, as opposed to manning fixed
for the eventual establishment of Marine Forces positions.. He
positions Heknewknewthat thatthe the"old"
"old" way, way, onc oncee
Panama (MarForPM),
(MarForPM), whereby whereby Colonel
Colonel Conle
Conleyy described as
described as "one
"one man man standing
standing post post in in aa little
little
assumed operational control
control of
of all
all Marine
Marine forces
forces iinn shack underneath
shack underneath a light surrounded by jungle, jungle,""
country.
country. Neither agreementbetwee
Neitherthetheagreement betweenn was a thing
thing of of the
the past.9
past . 9 Initially, he planned to us usee
Gnecknow and Conley nor
Gnecknow and Conley nor the mission o the mission off a system of patrol bases, whose locations woul wouldd
Company I changed when, on 9 April, operationaoperationall change at regular intervals However,he
intervals.. However, he soon
soon
control of Marine Forces Panama
Panama shifted
shifted from
from U.S.
U .S . decided that, rather than waste time and effort
Navy South to the newly established
established Joint
Joint Tas
Taskk moving command posts and communications
Force Panama
Panama UTF
(jTF Panama).6
Panama) . equipment, it would be more efficient to find and and
improve one set set ofof good
good positions.
positions .Accordingly,
Accordingly,
First Firefights Captain Valore
Valore divided
divided the the tank
tank farm
farm intointo tw twoo
zones, and assigned each zone to one platoon as aa
Company II was was chosen
chosen to to deploy
deploy to to Panama
Panama in in tactical area of responsibility. '°'°
large part
large part because
because itit was
was available
available and and because
because iitt deploying his
Before deploying
Before his Marines,
Marines, ValoreValore had had ttoo
was on
was on air
air alert
alert.. The Company was was well
well trained
trained,, address
address aa critical
criticalissue—weapons
issue–weapons policy. Security
policy. Security
having recently cycled
having recently cycled through
through aa combined
combined arm armss force policy
force policy prohibited
prohibited Marines Marines from fromhavinghaving aa
exercise
exercise at at Twentynine
Twentynine Palms, Palms, California
California;; coldcold round
round in in the
the chamber
chamber under under routine
routine conditions.
conditions .
weather training
weather training ata Bridgeport, California,
California, andand ForFortt Concerned for the safety of his Marines, and deter deter--
McCoy,Wisconsin;; and jungle training on Okinawa,
McCoy,Wisconsin Okinawa , mined to to demonstrate his trust in their judgment, judgment ,
as well
as well as as aa Marine
Marine CorpsCorps Combat
Combat Readines
Readinesss Valore raised
Valore raised the the issue
issue withwith Colonel
Colonel Conley.Conley.
Evaluation.. Most
Evaluation Most recently,
recently, itsits parent
parent battalion had Conley agreed to permit Valore's Marines to patro patroll
rehearsed for
rehearsed for the
the Panama
Panama contingency,
contingency, practicing
practicing with aa loaded
with loaded magazine
magazine in in their
their weapons
weaponsand and aa
missions such
missions such asas defending a fuel farm or antenn antennaa round in the chamber.
chamber. Valore's
Valore's policy made sense sense..
site and dealing with intruders. Much
site and dealing with intruders . Much of the train-of the train- Under then-current rules of engagement,
Under then-current rules of engagement, Marine s Marines
ing was on on company
company commander's
commander's time, time, forcing
forcing were permitted
permitted to to return
return fire,
fire, but
but ifif they
they diddid nonott
commanders to rely on their own judgment judgment an andd have aa magazine
have magazine in in the
the weapon
weapon and and aa round
round in in th
thee
giving them
giving them thethe opportunity
opportunity to to mold
mold their
their compa-
compa- chamber, they
chamber, they might
might not not live
live toto return
return firefire.. "
flies into
nies into cohesive,
cohesive, professional
professional forces.7
forces . ' The Marines'
The Marines' weapons
weapons policy policy was was a a highly
highly
Before deploying, the the company
company was was reinforce
reinforcedd charged issue
charged issue.. Although Valore focussed more on
by an
an 81mm
81mm mortar
mortar section
section ofof two
two mortars,
mortars, aa sur-
sur- the immediate
the immediate threatthreat thanthan onon the
the past,
past,aanumber
numberooff
veillance
veillance and and target
target acquisition
acquisition (STA)
(STA) platoon,
platoon, aa more senior
more senior Marine
Marine officers,
officers, including
including Lieutenan
Lieutenantt
counter-intelligence team, and a squad of engi- General Ernest
General Ernest T T Cook,
Cook, Commanding
Commanding General General,,
neers.
neers . Arriving
Arriving in in country,
country, the
the Marines
Marines mademade them-
them- FMFLant, remembered
FMFLant, remembered the the 1983
1983tragedy
tragedyatatMarin Marine e
selves as comfortable as possible in the the Rodma
Rodmann Amphibious Unit Unit Headquarters
Headquarters in in Beirut,
Beirut, Lebanon
Lebanon..
gymnasium,
gymnasium, while while their
their commander,
commander, Captai Captainn Then, a restrictive weapons policy was one of th thee
Joseph P Valore, conferred
P. Valore, conferred with with Major Keith, the contributing factors
contributing factors whichwhich mademade itit impossible
impossible fo forr
security force commander.
commander. Since Since itit appeared
appeared tha thatt sentries to stop the truck bomb which took the th e
the company would deploy to the tank farm,Valore lives
lives of of 241
241 Marines,
Marines, sailors,sailors, andand soldiers
soldiers..
then conducted a reconnaissance
reconnaissance of of the
the area
areaan andd Determined not to get "stung" twice, Cook and hi hiss
debriefed
debriefed members of the FAST platoon . On 7
members of the FAST platoon. On staff endorsed more aggressive aggressive and and forward-lean-
forward-lean-
April, Colonel
April, Colonel Conley
Conley gavegave Captain
Captain Valore
Valore aa rough
rough ing policies as that of Captain Valore, both in in th
thee

6
field and
and around
around Marine
Marine offices
offices andand housing
housing oonn tours.. As opposed to living in base housing and
tours an d
Rodman.'2
Rodman . 'Z having the
having the freedom
freedom of of the
the city,
city, thethe Marines
Marines worke
workedd
Southern Command
Southern Command viewed viewed thethe policy
policy differ-
differ- long hours,
long hours, usually
usually under
under field
field conditions,
conditions, for
for up
up tto
o
GeneralWoerner
ently. General
ently Woernerwas wasunder
under orders
orders fro
fromm two weeks
two weeks at a time
time.. The two weeks of duty typi-
Washington both to to protect
protect American
American interests
interests an
andd cally were
cally were followed
followed by by aa two-day
two-day rest rest period
period,,
not
not toto exacerbate
exacerbate the the situation
situation.. ItIt was
was aa delicate
delicat e which might
which might include
include some
some basebase liberty
libertybutbutneve
neverr
and difficult
and difficult balance
balance.. At the same time, long-time involved liberty
involved liberty off
off base,
base, aa precaution
precaution to to preven
preventt
members of the the U.S.
U .S . military
military community in Panam
Panamaa incidents between
incidents between Panamanian
Panamanian DefenseDefense Forces
Forces anandd
argued that
argued that the the Marines
Marines werewere over-reacting
over-reacting to to th
thee individual Marines
individual Marines..
threat and
threat and that that their
their aggressiveness
aggressiveness could
could provoke
provoke Events soon
Events soon transpired
transpired to to test
test the
the assumption
assumptionss
aa response
response in in kind
kind from
from the
the PDE
PDE Marine
Marine comman-
comman- of the
of the Marines'
Marines' weapons
weapons policy.
policy. On On 99 and
and 10lOApril,
April ,
ders defended
ders defended their their policy
policy byby pointing
pointing outout tha
thatt shortly after
shortly after the
the two
two platoons
platoons from from Company
Company II
they occupied
they occupied exposed exposed positions
positions in in the
the jungle
jungle,, relieved the
relieved the FAST
FAST platoon
platoon at at the
the tank
tank farm
farm,,
where theythey facedfaced aa threat
threat from
from intruders
intruders whic
whichh unknown intruders
unknown intruders began
began to to probe
probe their
their lines
lines.. On
On
predated their weapons weapons policy.
policy. The
The Marines,
Marines, they the night
the night of
of 11
11 April,
April, aa squad-sized
squad-sized MarineMarine patrol
patrol iinn
pointed out, were responding to an old threat, not the vicinity
the vicinity of of"K"
"K tank
tank in the northeast sector sector ooff
creating a new one
creating one.. the farm
the farm made
made contact
contact.. The patrol split into two
In one
In one form form or or another,
another, the the dispute
dispute continue
continuedd groups in
groups in an
an attempt to trap the intruders
intruders.. When
When a
throughout the
throughout existence of
the existence of Marine
Marine Force
Forcess flare misfired,
flare misfired, igniting
ignitingwithwithaa"pop"
pop" like a gunshot
gunshot,,
Panama.. Whatever
Panama Whatever the the merits
merits on
on either
either side
side of
of th
thee one element
one element opened
opened fire
fire with
with M-16M-16 rifles,
rifles, mistak-
mistak-
argument, it was understandable that there would
argument, ing the
ing the flare
flare for intruder's weapon
forananintruder's weapon..
be cultural
be cultural differences
differences between
between the the Marines
Marines and
and Unfortunately, they
Unfortunately, they fired
fired inin the
the direction
direction of of th
thee
the other Southern Command troops
the troops.. Unlike mos
mostt other element, mortally wounding Corpora Corporall
of their
of their American
American counterparts
counterparts in in Panama,
Panama, th thee Ricardo M
Ricardo M.. Villahermosa,
Villahermosa, the patrol leader.
the patrol leader.
Marines were
Marines were combat
combat troops
troops onon unaccompanie
unaccompaniedd Villahermosa was
Villahermosa was evacuated
evacuated to to Gorgas
Gorgas Army Army
90-day tours,
90-day tours, except
except for for Colonel
Colonel Conley
Conley and
and prin-
prin- Community Hospital,
Hospital, where
where he he died
died in
in the
the earl
early y
cipal members
cipal members of of his
his staff,
staff, who
who were
were on
on 180-day
180-day morning hours
morning hours ofof 12
12April.13
April .' '

77
 The incident
The incident renewed
renewed the the debate
debate overover thethe Marines received and
Marines received and returned
returned fire,
fire, aiming
aiming dow downn
weapons policy
weapons policy among
among Marine
Marine andand Army
Army groun
ground d the line of tracers that came at at them.
them . TheThe 13-man
13-ma n
commanders.
commanders . At At aa meeting
meeting on on the
the 12th
12th with
with the surveillance 'detachment,
detachment, still still in
in position
position to to ththee
Joint Task Force Force commander, Major General west of of the
the company,
company, reported
reported that that the
the intruder
intruderss
Bernard
Bernard Loeffke,Loefike,USA,USA,whose
whose primary
primary duty
duty wa wass were probing their positions, and Sergeant Michae Michaell
commander
commander of U .S .of U.S. Army South, the only Marine A.
A. Cooper, the noncommissioned officer
noncommissioned officer in charge in charge,,
present, Major
Major Alfred
AlfredF. F Clarkson of the MEB staff, staff, immediately requested illumination
illumination... .Eighty-one
Eighty-on e
vigorously defended the Marine policy, citing guid- millimeter mortars near the company comman commandd
ance from the Commandant of the Marine Corp Corpss post fired the mission
mission.. Putting the illumination ttoo
and adding his own view that it was morally wron wrongg good use, Cooper reported that he could see tha thatt
to send
send Marines
Marines in in harm's
harm's wayway without
without fully
fully loade
loadedd the intruders werewere armed
armed andand well-equipped,
well-equipped, an andd
weapons.. Colonel
weapons Colonel ConleyConley fully supportedd
fully supporte that they
they moved
moved likelike professional
professional soldiers
soldiers.. Whe
Whenn
Clarkson's position,
position, andand made
made certain
certain that
that Marin
Marinee the
the intruders
intruders continued
continued to to advance
advance despite
despite the the
commanders
commanders had had thethe authority
authority theythey needed
needed ttoo illumination rounds, he urgently called called for
for the
the mor-
mor-
implement the the right
right weapons
weapons policy
policy for
for the
the con-
con- tars to drop high-explosive
high-explosive rounds rounds on on pre-plotte
pre-plottedd
ditions
ditions theythey faced.14
faced . 7 4 targets near
near his
his position
position.. Knowing
Knowing that that Coope
Cooperr
The average
The average Marine
Marine rifleman,
rifleman, whose
whose morale
morale wa wass was
was a a professional
professional who who would
would not not overreact
overreact,,
already shaken by Villahermosa's death, had muc muchh Captain Valore authorized the fire missions, missions, an andd
the same worry-that
worry-that he would now now bebe ordered
ordered the mortars fired 16 high-explosive rounds in addi-
back into
back into the
the jungle
jungle without
without aa loaded
loaded weapon
weapon.. tion
tion toto the
the 9898 rounds
rounds of of illumination
illumination they they ha hadd
Captain Valore
Captain Valore putput that
that worry
worry to to rest
rest by
by visitin
visitingg already fired.. He also authorized Cooper's Marines
already fired
the line
the line platoons
platoons and and telling
telling his
his Marines
Marinesthat thatth thee to return fire
fire.. Valore could hear the results, heavy
policy had
policy had not
not changed
changed.. As he had in the the past,
past, hhee firing, almost immediately.'7
firing, immediately. "
made itit clear
made clear that
that he
he had
had full
full confidence
confidence in in thei
theirr A few minutes later, around 1930, the company
judgment and
judgment and professionalism
professionalism.. Valore's actions actions did
did itself took
itself took fire
fire from a ravine to its front front.. Valore
Valore
much to
much to restore
restore morale and re-energize the com- com- directed company First Sergeant Alexander J.
directed J.
pany
pany.15' ' Nevgloski to
Nevgloski to return
return fire
fire with
with aa Mark
Mark 19 19 chain
chain gun
gun,,
At dusk
dusk onon the
the 12th,
12th,U.S.
U.S .Army
Army remote
remote battle-
battle - which then fired a total of 222 40mm rounds. rounds .
field sensors
sensors on on loan
loan to
to the
the Marines
Marines detecte
detectedd Within minutes, the fire from the Mark 19 along alon g
movement by by approximately
approximately 40 40 persons
persons wh whoo with
with thethe fire
fire from
from thethe mortars
mortars effectively
effectively sup- sup-
appeared to be approaching the tank farm fro
appeared fromm pressed the threat, and firing firing died
died down.'8
down . '
the direction
the direction ofof the
the Pan-American
Pan-AmericanHighway
Highway.. The The Sometime after
Sometime after 2200,
2200, General
General Loeffke
Loefike arrive
arrivedd
sensor activation
sensor activation was was confirmed
confirmed by by the
the detach-
detach- on scene,
on scene, wearing
wearing civilian
civilian clothes
clothes andand wanting
wanting tto o
ment
ment of of surveillance
surveillance and and target
target acquisition
acquisition know what happened.
happened . After Afterbeingbeing briefed
briefed by by
Marines fromfrom 3d
3d Battalion,
Battalion, 4th Marines.*
Marines . * The Captain Valore, he ordered the company to ceas ceasee
detachment, in place at listening posts in the west west-- fire and not to reengage unless unless fired
fired upon
upon.. He als alsoo
ern sector of the ATF approximately
approximately 700 700 meter
meterss ordered the Marines to remain in place and to per-
from the company command post, reported bby y mit any intruders
mit any intruders to to leave
leave thethe area. Loefike sai
area . Loeffke saidd
radio that they had seen and and heard
heard intruders
intruders.. A A that he was in touch with the PDF, whose com-
specially-equipped Air Force AC-i AC-13030 Specter orbit- manders
manders had had assured
assured himhim that
that they
they did
did not
not hav
havee
ing the area also confirmed the sightings
sightings.'6." any troops in the area area.. Captain
Captain Moises Cortizo, aan n
Captain Valore left his position
position in
in order
order to
to inves-
inves- English-speaking PDF officer, stood stood next
next toto Genera
Generall
tigate the
the reports,
reports, and
and spotted
spotted approximately
approximately 1122 Loefflce,
Loeffke, and and restated
restated the
the Panamanian positionposition.'9. 19
intruders between the highway and the tank farm.
intruders farm . After receiving
After receiving General
General Loeffke's
Loeffke's order, Valor Valoree
At that
At that point,
point, he
he decided
decided to
to begin
begin consolidating
consolidating hi hiss pulled back Cooper's detachment from the west- west -
forces in
forces in the
the center
center of
ofthe
theATE.
ATE Soon
Soon thereafter,
thereafter, hihiss ern sector
sector ofof the
the tank
tank farm
farm while
while the the rest
rest of
of hihiss
Marines held their positions
positions.. UsingUsingnightnight visio
visionn
**The
The Army's apparentlyy
Army's remote battlefield sensor system apparentl
devices they watched as a number of the intruder intruderss
was operated
was operated by
by aa detachment
detachment ofof Sensor
Sensor Control
Control anandd apparently received first aid, and and saw
saw others,
others, eithe
eitherr
Management Platoon (SCAMP)
Management (SCAiMP)Marines
Marines from
from the
the 2d
2d Marin
Marinee wounded or dead, being evacuated
wounded evacuated.. Sensor
Sensor activa-
activa-
Division which deployed with Captain Valore's
Division Valore's company.
company . tions confirmed
tions confirmed theirtheir sightings
sightings.. There was further

8
corroboration.. Security
corroboration SecurityforceforceMarines,
Marines, who who ha hadd Matters took
Matters took aa turn
turn for
for the
the worse
worse when
when Souther
Southern n
manned a roadblock on the highway to preven preventt Command's Public Affairs Officer
Command's Public Affairs Officer failed to failed to rejec
rejectt
Panamanian reinforcements
Panamanian reinforcements from from reaching
reaching th thee suggestions that
suggestions that the
the Marines
Marines hadhad fired
fired at
at shadows
shadows..
tank farm,
farm, witnessed
witnessed the the evacuation
evacpation of of wounde
woundedd Noriega exploited the opportunity, using his pro-
by blacked-out
by blacked-out ambulances.20*
ambulances.Z°* /! paganda machine
paganda machine to to plant
plant stories
stories about
about drug
drug abus
abusee
r~
At dawn, teams of Marines swept
At Iwept the the area,
area, look-
look- among the
among the Marines,
Marines, implying
implyingthatthatthe
theevents
eventsof of1111
ing for evidence
ing for evidence to to confirm
confirm the the presence
presence of of th
thee and 12 April were drug-induced
and drug-induced hallucinations.24
hallucinations . 24
intruders.
intruders . They They did did not
not find
fmd much much.. There were were Marine Forces Panama overcameovercame thethe challenge
challenge tto o
signs that
that bodies
bodies hadhad been
been dragged
dragged through through th thee its credibility
its credibility and
and professionalism
professionalism.. Colonel Conley
Conley
area, and there was debris such as fresh, foreign- foreign- and Captain
and Captain Valore
Valore closed
closed ranks
ranks behind
behind theitheirr
made battle dressings, scraps of camouflage utilit utilityy Marines, who
who reciprocated
reciprocated in inkind
kind.. On the night
night of
of
uniforms,
uniforms, and and chemical
chemical lightlightsticks
sticks.. ButBut there
there were 13 April,
April, when
when Captain
Captain Valore
Valore walked
walked into
into one
one ooff
neither
neither bodies bodies nor nor spent
spent ammunition
ammunition shells shells.. the clubs
the clubs at
at Rodman,
Rodman, all all of
of the
the Marines
Marines presen
presentt
However, Marines later learned that the automati automaticc cheered him
cheered him.. He later said thatthat this
this was
was one
one of
of th
thee
weapons carried carried by by some
some Panamanian
Panamanian soldier soldierss highlights of
highlights of his
his career,
career, and
andthat
thathe
hewas
wasmoved
movedbby y
were equipped with brass-catchers.2'
were equipped with brass-catchers .' ' the bonding
the bonding and and mutual
mutual trust
trust among
among men men whowho
During the next several days, Captain Captain Valore
Valore an andd were now combat veterans:
veterans :
his Marines were debriefed extensively by Colone Colonell
Conley's
Conley's staff, staff, byby Naval
Naval Investigative
Investigative Servic Servicee The [pre-combat] tension
The [pre-combat] tension waswas there
there;; itit was
was released.
released . I
[had] gained their
[had] gained their credibility.
credibility. They
They knew
knew II was was going
going tto o
agents, and by Army intelligenceintelligence specialists
specialists.. Many stand behind
stand behind them,
them, whatever
whatever itit took took... They coul
. . . They couldd
of these official visitors also walked walked the the groun
groundd depend on
depend on me
me to
to look
look out
out for
for them,
them, [and]
[and] not not play
play poli-
poli-
over which the fight had had occurred,
occurred, repeating
repeating ques-ques- tics or
tics or worry about other things...
things . . .You
Youhave
haveaa mission
mission ttoo
Marines.5*
tions that had been asked by by others
others.. There was accomplish: you've
accomplish: you've got
got to
to take
take care
care ofof your
yourMarines ." *
even
even an an order
order fromfrom U.S.U .S . Army South for the
Marines who who fought
fought in in the
the jungle
jungle that that night
night to
to sub-
sub- Valore's Marines
Valore's Marines stood
stood down
down from
from the
the tank
tank far
farmm
mit to aa urinalysis,
mit to urinalysis, which
which theythey did, did, with
with negativ
negativee for a few days of rest and recreation at Rodman
Rodman.. A A
.22
results.22
results reinforced Army battalion took their place.
reinforced Army battalion took their place . On 1144
What the Marines told the debriefers was consis- April, Army sentries guarding the ammunition
the ammunition sup- sup-
tent, and
tent, and detailed
detailed.. Some
Some of of their
their testimony
testimony wa wass ply point challenged a small group of intruders, intruders ,
also graphic
also graphic.. For Forexample,
example, when when one one of of Cooper'
Cooper'ss who responded with gunfire, and a patrol
who responded with gunfire, and a patrol from from th
thee
Marines described
Marines described hishis experiences
experiences during during the the fire
fire-- 3d Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, operating operating
fight, he began by telling the debriefer how he ha hadd west of
west of Howard
Howard Air Air Force
Force Base
Base engaged
engaged anothe
anotherr
"gone to
"gone to ground,"
ground," andand tried
tried toto make
make himself
himself invisi-
invisi- group of
group intruders.. ItItwas
of well-disciplined intruders was now
now
Nevertheless,one
ble.. Nevertheless,
ble oneof ofthethe passing
passing intruder
intruderss clear that the Marines were not the only America Americann
spotted him
spotted him at at aa distance
distance of of 88 to to 10
10 feet
feet away.
away As As soldiers
soldiers toto encounter
encounter intruders
intruders and
and to to defend
defen d
the intruder
the intruder began began to to swing
swing his his weapon
weapon toward towardss themselves.26
themselves . "
the Marine,
the Marine, the the Marine
Marine shotshot him
him twicetwice in in the
the ches
chestt In the
In the months
months that that followed,
followed, there
there were
were occa-
occa-
with his
with hisM-16 M-16.. Upon
Upon impact,
impact, the the intruder
intruder fellfell bac
back k sional incidents, but nothing on the scale of the 1122
and hit
and hit the
the ground
ground so so hard
hard that
that "his "his legs
legs flopped
flopped iin n April firelight
April firefight.. In
In retrospect,
retrospect, the
the aggressive
aggressive Marin
Marinee
the air."23
the air. " 2 3 response appeared to have had the desired effect effect;;
Even after after the debriefings, doubts persisted. persisted . the Marines had recognized
the Marines had recognized the threat an the threat andd
Some
Some membersmembers of of the
the joint
joint task task forceforce staff
staff responded accordingly.
responded accordingly . Information obtained from
acknowledged
acknowledged the the threat,
threat, but but wondered
wondered if if th
thee Panamanian officers followingfollowing Operation
Operation Jus Justt
Marines
Marines had had overreacted
overreacted.. More frustrating for the
Marines
Marines were were lingering
lingering questions
questions about about the the facts
facts.. **Marine Forces Panama
Marine Forces Panama officially
officially reported
reported that,
that, despite
despite th
thee
challenge
challenge to credibility,morale
Marine credibility,
to Marine morale was
was excellent
excellent..
Headquarters
Headquarters Marine Corps took
Marine Corps took note
note ofof Valore's
Valore's an andd
**Valore remarked to
Valore remarked to another
another Marine
Marine officer
officer that,
that, just
just befor
beforee Nevgloski's performance,
Nevgloski's performance, awarding both the Bronze Star Medal
General Loeffke's
General Loeffke's arrival,
arrival, he
he had
had ordered
ordered his
his reserve
reserve to to flan
flankk with Combat
with Combat"V." Sergeant Cooper
"V ." Sergeant Cooper received
received thethe Nav
Navyy
the intruders
the Thismovement
intruders.. This movementdid didnot
nottake
take place
place duedue ttoo Commendation Medal
Commendation Medal.. All of the Marines involved were award-
Loeffke's intervention.
Loeffke's intervention .(Maj
(Maj William
William JJ. Philbin intvw
. Philbin intvw with
with author,
author, ed the
ed the combat
combat action
action ribbon.
ribbon .(Maj
(Maj Joseph P Valore
Joseph P. Valore ltr to author
ltr to author,,
23Jun94.)
23Jun94 .) Nov93)
Nov93)

99
 Cause, executed
Cause, executed 20 20 months
months later later in
in December
December would continue to to report
report toto General
General Loeffke,
Loeffke, eve evenn
1989, confirmed
1989, confirmed whatwhat thethe Marines
Marines had had said
said abou
aboutt though
though thethe normal
normal chainchain ofof command
command would would have have
the 12
the 12 April
April engagement
engagement.. The Theintruders
intruders were were had him to to report
report to to Admiral
AdmiralGnecknow.29
Gnecknow. 29
almost certainly
almost certainly troops
troops from from the the 7th7th Rifl Riflee In the
the meantime, Marines Marines in in the
the intelligenc
intelligencee
Company
Company, known
known as the "Macho de Monte," Monte," one one ooff field analyzed
field analyzed the the threat,
threat, and
and generated
generated aa collec-
collec-
the few elite formations in the PDF, possibly rein-
the rein - tion plan in
tion plan in an
an attempt
attempt to to predict
predict future
future incur-
incur-
forced by
forced by aa few
few members
members of of the
the Special
Special Anti-ter-
Anti-ter- sions,
sions, andand the the routes
routes that that they
they would
would take. take .
rorist Security
rorist Security Unit,
Unit, the
the Panamanian
Panamanian equivalent
equivalent of of Company I, after its two days days ofof rest,
rest, went
went back
back oon n
Delta Force
Delta Force.. There
Thereisissome
someevidence
evidencethat that oneone oorr line for another 14 days. In addition
line for another 14 days . In addition to routine to routine
more Cuban advisors may have accompanied accompanied th thee patrolling, day
patrolling, day and
and night,
night, the
the company
company improve
improved d
'Macho de
"Macho de Monte'
Monte"on ontheir
their1212April
Aprilsortie.27
sortie . 27 and hardened six observation and listening listening post postss
Why did the intruders attack the fuel storage storag e in both
in both the
the tank
tank farmfarm and and ammunition
ammunition suppl supplyy
area? It
area? It is
is unlikely
unlikely that
that the
the tanks
tanks themselves
themselves wer weree point.*
point . * Throughout the period, the Marine
Marine force forcess
the targets
the targets.. Even when protected by a company of conducted training
conducted training exercises .exercises. First there were all-
all-
Marines, many of the tanks remained vulnerable, as Marine, in-house
Marine, in-house exercises
exercises in in the
the deployment
deployment ooff
did pipelines
did pipelines andand other
otherperipheral
peripheralinstallations
installations.. If If mobile reaction
mobile reaction forces
forces to to trouble
trouble spots
spots.. The reac-
sabotage had been the mission, the intruders prob-
intruders prob - tion forces
tion forces included
included jeep-like
jeep-like HMMWVs
HMMWVs carryin carrying g
ably could have succeeded.
succeeded . Far Far more
more likely, con-
likely, con- heavy machine
heavy machine guns guns and and TOW
TOW missiles,
missiles, aa signifi-
signifi-
sidering
sidering thethe timing
timing ofof the
the attack,
attack, aa few
few days
days after
after cant increment
cant increment in in the
the kind
kind of
of firepower
firepower which
which ha hadd
the
the arrival
arrival ofof Marine
Marine reinforcements
reinforcements in-country,
in-country, been used to
been used to good
good effect
effect toto suppress
suppress enemy
enemy fire fire
and supported by documents seized in in Decembe
Decemberr on 1212 April
April.. Then
Then there
there were
were aa series
series of
of exercise
exercisess
1989, is
1989, is the
the conclusion
conclusion that that the
the Marines
Marines them- them - with other services, codenamed Purple Storm Storni for
selves were
selves werethe themain
maintarget
target. Theobject
. The object was was to to offensive evolutions and Purple Blitz for defensive
embarrass and
embarrass and harass
harass while
while testing
testing the
the virility
virility anandd evolutions and casualty evacuations.3
evacuations ." '
competence of
competence of the
the Panamanian
Panamanian military
military elite
elite.. Th
Thee Not content
Not content withwith routine
routine exercises
exercises andand coun-
coun-
anti-Marine propaganda
anti-Marine propaganda campaign
campaign in in the
the press
press ha hadd termeasures, the Marines experimented with other
only just
only just begun,
begun, and,
and, as
as Noriega
Noriega himself
himself later com- means of
means of accomplishing
accomplishing their their mission
mission.. Air
Air Forc
Forcee
mented: "Never before
mented : "Never before has has there
there been
been aa mor moree and Navy
and Navy dog teams regularly joined the Marine Mariness
effective laboratory
laboratoryfor forarmed
armedmen men.. Nor
Nor hashas the
the on patrol
on patrol.. Army specialists helped the Marines se sett
opportunity [ever] been so propitious for trainin trainingg up aa speaker
up speaker systemsystem which, which, whenwhen triggered
triggered,,
in low intensity conflict, as that which exists toda todayy informed intruders
informed intruders in SpanishSpanish thatthat they were oonn
in Panama."28
Panama ."2 8 U.S. Government property
U .S . Government property and that it was in thei theirr
best interest to return to where they had come com e
Recovery and Consolidatio
Consolidationn from . At night, the Air Force continued to fly AC
from. AC--
130 Specter missions in support support of of the
the Marines
Marines,,
The month that followed was a period of relativ relativee using beacons and infrared devices to search for
calm.. It was one of
calm of diplomatic,
diplomatic, rather
rather than
than militar
militaryy intruders. There also
intruders . There also were
were attempts
attempts to to intercep
interceptt
activity, which gave Southern Command and th
activity, thee radio transmissions between groups of intruders. intruders .
Marines an
Marines an opportunity
opportunity toto prepare
prepare for
for future
future intru-
intru- However, these attempts were unsuccessful, appar- appar -
sions.. The
sions The events
events of
of mid-April
mid-April demonstrated
demonstrated th thee ently because
ently because the the intruders
intruders relied
reliedmainly
mainlyon onotheotherr
need to
need to resolve
resolve ambiguities
ambiguities in in the
the system
system ofof com-
com- means of communication.3'
communication . "
mand and and control.
control.On
On 25
25 April,
April, SouthCom
SouthCom activat-
ed Area of Operation Pacific
Pacific West,
West, andand formalize
formalizedd Neither War Nor Peace
the arrangement whereby ColonelColonel Conley
Conley became
became
the commander of all of the Marines in-country, aass The period of relative calm came to an end
well as temporary
temporary attachments
attachmentsfrom
fromthe theU.S.
U .S .Army,
Army, around 1900 on 19 July, when sensor activations
including 293 soldiers of the 519th Military Polic Policee alerted the Marines of Company L, 3d
3d Battalion,
Battalion, 4t
4thh
Battalion and
Battalion and Company
Company B, B, 1st
1st Battalion,
Battalion, 508th
508th
Infantry Regiment
Infantry Regiment.. Marine MarineForces
ForcesPanama
Panama *
* The
The ammunition
ammunition supply
supply point
point remained
remained aa Marine
Marine respon-
respon-
remained under
remained under the
the operational
operational control
control of of th
thee sibility
sibility even
even though it was
though it was often
often patrolled
patrolled by Army infantr
infantryy
joint task force, which meant that Colonel Conley Conley attached to Marine Forces Panama
attached Panama..

10
Marines, which had relieved Company I in June. June . But not everyone was was convinced
convinced.. For example,
example ,
The sensors indicated
The sensors indicated aa group group of of roughly
roughly 20 20 during the
the month
month ofof September,
September, the
the Marines
Marines wer
weree
intruders, apparently gathering at a rallying poin pointt able to capture
able to capture on
on tape
tape thermal
thermal images
images of of th
thee
in the tank farm farm.. Marine Forces Panama requested intruders by means of of the
the UAS-1
UAS-111.. TheTheimage
imagess
and received
received permission
permission from from thethe joint
joint task
task forc
forcee clearly
clearly showed
showed a a number
number of of individuals
individuals carrying
carryin g
to insert
to insert blocking forces and capture the intruders. AK-47s and
AK-47s and wearing
wearing load-bearing
load-bearingequipment
equipment.. But
But
Accordingly, a Marine Marine unit,unit, which
which included
included the the sol-
sol- some officers at
some officers at joint
joint task
task force
force headquarter
headquarterss
diers from
diers from Company
Company B, B, 1st 1stBattalion,
Battalion, 508t 508thh claimed that
that the
the images
images werewere not
not distinct
distinct enoug
enoughh
Infantry, began
Infantry, began to to move
move into into place
place during
during th thee to constitute proof. 35
constituteproof.35
night—a tortuously slow proposition
night–a tortuously slow proposition in the jungl e in the jungle On 31 31 October,
October, therethere was another major fire- fire -
under any conditions,
conditions, and anddoubly
doublyso soatatnight.32
night . 3 2 fight, much
fight, muchlike likethat
thatofof1212April
April.. Over
Over aa period
period of
Once again, Marine forces came away empty empty-- roughly two and one-half one-half hours,
hours, there
there were
were seve
sevenn
handed.
handed . At first light, the appearance of an Army separate incidents throughout
separate incidents throughout the Arraijan Tanthe Arraijan Tankk
UH-1 Huey
UH-1 Huey command
command helicopter apparently alert- Farm. In five of the incidents, the
Farm . In five of the incidents, the intruders fire intruders fired d
ed the
ed the intruders
intruders to to the
the risk
risk ofof capture
capture before
before allall ooff first, but did not hit any Marines . In the other two
first, but did not hit any Marines. In the other
the blocking
the blocking forces forces were
were in inplace
place.. The
The helicopte
helicopterr engagements,
engagements, Marines Marines from from Company
Company M, M, 33dd
circled in
circled in the
the vicinity
vicinity of of the
the rallying
rallying point,
point, enabling
enabling Battalion,
Battalion, 8th 8th Marines,
Marines, which which had had replace
replacedd
General Loeffke
General Loeffke to to monitor
monitorthe theoperation
operation.. Th Thee Company L, fired first with with unknown
unknown results
results.. Afte
Afterr
intruders reacted
intruders reacted by by slipping
slipping out out of
of the
the area
area bbyy the last of of the
the incidents, the the outcome
outcome was was stil
stilll
twos and
twos and threes
threes.. TheThe only contact was a brief fire fire-- unclear.
unclear. Reconstructing the chain of events in the
fight between
fight between aa Marine Marine patrolpatrol andand some
some of of th thee light of day, the Marines developed developed two two possibl
possiblee
intruders.33
intruders .33 scenarios.
scenarios . The The first
first assumed
assumed that that aa Panamania
Panamaniann
The pattern
The pattern of of events
events in in August
Augustand andSeptembe
Septemberr Defense Force patrol had penetrated the depot, depot ,
was similar but
was similar but less
less dramatic,
dramatic, with with aa number
number ooff bumped into one observation post, and then, on ititss
sporadic sightings
sporadic sightings and and brief
brief firefights
firefights in in both
both th thee way out,
way out, run run into
into another
another.. One Oneor ormore
more
tank farm
tank farm andand ammunition
ammunition depot depot.. Frustrations and Panamanian
Panamanian patrols patrols maymay have
have come
come to to the
the rescue
rescue
tensions persisted
tensions persisted.. There
There were still no confirme confirmedd of the first
of the first patrol
patrol.. The Thesecond
secondwas was that that th
thee
dead, and
dead, and very
very little
little hard
hard evidence
evidence to to prove
prove wh whoo Panamanians
Panamanians had had deployed
deployed a a number
number of of small
small
the intruders
the intruders were were.. ItIt appeared
appeared to the Marines tha thatt patrols from the beginningbeginning.. But, once again there
many of
many of their
their counterparts
counterparts in in the
the other
other service
servicess were neither
neither bodies
bodiesnor norspent
spentshells.36
shells . 36
continued to
continued to doubt
doubt thatthat the
the intruders
intruders were were pro-
pro- The repercussions
repercussions of of the
the October
October firefight
firefightss
fessionals.
fessionals . were predictable
were predictable.. The Panamanian press press exploite
exploited d
In order to to put
put the
the doubts
doubts to to rest,
rest, and
and inin gener-
gener- the
the Halloween
Halloween theme, theme, showing
showing cartoons
cartoons ooff
al to bridge the cultural gap between the Marine Mariness Marines shooting
shooting at at witches
witches flying
flying through
through th thee
and members
and members of of the
the other
other services
services at at all
all levels,
levels , palm trees
trees.. For its part, Southern Command direct- direct -
Colonel Conley developed an orientation progra program m ed the
the joint
joint task
task force
force toto place
place limits
limits onon nighttim
nighttimee
for Army and Air Force
for Army and Air Force staff officersstaff officers.. He
He arranged
arranged patrolling
patrolling and and the
the deployment
deployment of of observation
observation an and d
for them
for them to to fire
fire Marine
Marine weapons
weapons on on the
the range
range an andd listening
listening postsposts in in the
the jungle
jungle.. The Marines had to
invited them to walk the lines in in the
the tank
tank farm
farm aatt count the
count the number
number of of rounds
rounds they
they fired,
fired, and
and then
then ttoo
night, which usually included spending spending some some tim timee account for
account for them
them during
during lengthy
lengthy debriefings
debriefings..
in a fighting hole watching watching and and waiting.
waiting .The The reac-
reac- Limits also
Limits also were
were placed
placed on on the
the number
number of of Marine
Mariness
tion was positive, and helped to achieve achieve Conley'
Conley'ss permitted in the tank farm at any one one time
time.. This
This
goal.
goal . The visitors
visitors saw
saw that
that the
the Marines
Marines were
were livingg
livin often meant that there was only a reinforced pla-
often
in the field, under near near combat
combat conditions.
conditions .Sand- Sand- toon in
toon in Arraijan
Arraijan TankTank Farm,
Farm,leaving
leavingoneoneplatoon
platoont to o
bags and gun gun pits
pits reminded
remindedthem themof ofVietnam.34
Vietnam . 3 4 patrol the
patrol the ammunition
ammunition depot depot andand oneone ininreserve
reserve,,
which gave the Marines Marines an an opportunity
opportunity to to rest
rest an
andd
**A similar initiative,
A similar initiative, aimed
aimed at
at maintaining
maintaining the the morale
morale ofof train.. Later, the Marines were informed
train informed that,
that, hence
hence--
Marines on
Marines on the
the line,
line, was
was "Staff
"Staff and
and Officer
Officer Appreciation
Appreciation Day,
Day,"" forth, their primary duty was to conduct training
forth, training,,
when staff
staff officers
officers and
and non-commissioned
non-commissioned officers
officers would
would leav
leavee
their desks
desks and
and wield
wield machetes
machetes toto help
help clear
clear vegetation
vegetation in
hi th
the
e
and that
and that their
their missions
missions in in the
the storage
storage facilitie
facilitiess
their
tank farm
tank farm.. (Col
(Col Thomas
Thomas W W.. Roberts
Robertsintvw,
intvw,30Mar90,
30Mar90,pp.. 38
38 [Oral
[Oral were secondary.
were secondary.The Thetheory
theory behind
behind the the change
changess
History Collection,
History Collection, MCHC,Washington, D D.C.])
.C .]) was that
was that Marines
Marines attracted
attracted intruders
intruders.. Therefore, iiff

11
11
fewer Marines
fewer Marines deployed,
deployed, there
there wouldwould be be fewer
fewer never know when or where where he he might
might encounte
encounterr
intruders and fewer incidents.
intruders and fewer incidents . ItIt was
was almost
almost an
an them. Roberts shared
them . Roberts shared thethe JTF
JTF Panama's
Panama's assump-
assump-
argument for leaving the tank tank farm
farm and and the
the ammu-
ammu- tion that the Panamanian Defense Forces wante wantedd
nition supply point unguarded, which no one was to
to cause embarrassing incidents, but came to aa dif-
cause embarrassing incidents, but came to dif-
prepared to
prepared todo.37
do . " ferent conclusion. If defense force
conclusion . If defense force commander scommanders
The changes
The changes exacerbated
exacerbated the the existing
existing frictio
frictionn had to think twice before entering the storag storagee
between Marine
Marine and and Army
Army commanders,
commanders, each each ooff facilities, there would not be many
facilities, there would not be many incidents . incidents.
whom had
whom had different
differentconcerns
concerns.. The The more
more senior
senior Colonel Roberts appeared to have been right; right ; the
the
Army commanders
commanders obeyed obeyed political
political dictates
dictates in in net result of the the change in in tactics
tactics was
was aa shar
sharpp
order to
order to minimize
minimize confrontation,
confrontation, while while condition
conditionss decrease
decrease in in the
thenumber
numberof ofincidents.40
incidents . 41
on the
on the ground
ground dominated
dominated the the thinking
thinking of of Marin
Marinee Operation Rabbit Hunt, which was launched iinn
Operation
commanders, who
commanders, who never
never stopped
stopped pressing
pressing fo forr the
the ammunition
ammunition depot depot in in December,
December, apparentl
apparentlyy
more tactical
more tactical freedom Anotherresult
freedom.. Another result of of th
thee had the
the same
same kind
kind of
of deterrent
deterrent effect
effect.. In what was
restrictions was,
restrictions was, almost
almost literally,
literally, aa bunker
bunker mentali-
mentali- essentially aa cordon
cordon andand search
search operation,
operation, Marine
Marine
ty. Since the
ty. Since the Marines
Marines could not go to the enemy, Forces Panama, accompanied by an entire Army air- air -
they had
they had toto wait
waitforforhim
himtotocome
cometotothem them. Oncee
. Onc borne infantry battalion, the 1st Battalion, 508t 508thh
he appeared
he appeared in in front
front of
of their
their positions,
positions, the the rules
rules of
of Infantry, swept through the ammunition supply
engagement were
engagement were such
such that
that the
the Marines
Marines either
either ha
hadd point during
point during thethe early
early morning
morning hours hours of of 1199
to warn
to warn the
the intruder
intruder or or leave
leave it it to
to him
him toto initiat
initiatee December, while Army military police police andand engi-
engi-
hostilities.. One
hostilities One Marine
Marine officer
officer remembered
remembered what neers patrolled
neers patrolled the
the perimeter.
perimeter. No No intruders
intruders were
were
it was
it was like for the rifleman at his post: captured, due perhaps to possible possible security
security leak
leakss
from aa joint
from joint command
command that that was,
was, not
not unnaturally,
unnaturally,
[The intruder] would
[The intruder] would come come towardstowards thethe position,
position, andand closely intertwined with Panamanian
closely intertwined with Panamanian society. But society. But,,
aa Marine
Marine mightmightlock lockon ontoto[the (theintruder]
intruder].., with his
. . . with his as were many of the other Marine initiatives, it wa wass
night vision
night visionsystem
system.... [B]ut the
. . . . [B]ut the Marine
Marine... had to
. . . had to chal-
chal-
lenge the
lenge the aggressor.
aggressor.So Sothe theagressor
agressor suddenly
suddenly had had the
the not a failure in that it helped to deter intruders intruders,,
upper hand
upper hand .. . . because
. because the the aggressor
aggressor knew knew that that th
thee which remained as much a part of the mission as as
Marines.., were so
Marines . . . were so well
well disciplined
disciplined that that...
. . .They
They would
woul d killing or catching them.4'
them .4 1
not open up
not open up unless
unless the the PDF PDF.. violated one
. . .violated one of of the
the rules
rules Another significant event event in in December
December was was ththee
of engagement
engagement.... . . . . [Tlhen
[T]hen this bad guy shoots at you you...,
.. .,
visit of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
the blast from the enemy enemy muzzle muzzle is is going
going to to momentar-
momentar-
ily...
ily. . . blind you and
and thenthen... . . . [you have] lost that opportu- opportu- Admiral WilliamJJ.
Admiral William Crowe, USN,
. Crowe, USN, who who toured
toured th thee
nity because the
nity because the aggressors
aggressors are
are well
well trained
trained and
and they
they hi
hitt Arraijan Tank Farm and expressed shock at its size
the
the deck
deck and
and back
back Out of there
out of there....
. . . .'" and dense vegetation
and vegetation.. He found the lack of visibil-
ity troubling, noting
ity troubling, noting that that anan intruder
intruder coul couldd
Under the circumstances, many many Marines
Marines felt
felt tha
thatt approach unseen to within five yards of Marine
the best way to protect themselves was to improve positions.
positions . "I thought it was bad being inside a sub- sub -
their positions, whichwhich became
became ever ever more
more elabo-
elabo- marine," he said,
said, "[but]
"[but] [t]his
[t]hisisis[really] horrible!" 4 Z
[really]horrible!"42
rate.. By now, there was a system of bunkers an
rate andd
trench lines
trench lines that
that covered
covered parts
parts of of the
the tank
tank far
farm m The Evolution
The Evolution of
of Training
Training
and, to
and, to aa lesser
lesser extent,
extent, the
the ammunition
ammunition supply supply
point.. Finally it was clear that the pendulum ha
point hadd As the
As the months
months progressed,
progressed, thethe training
training packag
packagee
swung too
swung too far,
far, and
and the
the new
new commander
commander of of Marin
Marinee instituted by Marine Forces Panama evolved to to
Forces Panama,
Forces Panama, Colonel
Colonel Thomas
Thomas W. W. Roberts
Roberts,, meet the demands of the situation
meet situation.. As
As most of ththee
ordered virtually
ordered virtually allall of
of the
the positions
positionsin inthe
thefuefuell infantrymen who were destined to be deployed to
infantrymen to
storage area
storage area razed
razed.. The
The joint
joint task
task force
force concurre
concurred d Panama would
Panama would be
be drawn
drawn from
from thethe 6th
6th Marines
Marines,,
in the
in the decision,
decision, asas well
well as
as its
its corollary,
corollary,thatthatMarine
Mariness they were
they were required to attend a tailored course ooff
return
return to to light
light infantry
infantry tactics
tactics in in both
both the
the tank
tank instruction before deploying
instruction deploying.. The Thecourse
course wawass
farm and
and the
the ammunition
ammunitiondepot.39
depot . 3 9 approximately 38
approximately 38 days
days long
long.. It
It stressed
stressed small
small uni
unitt
Roberts' reasoning
reasoning was was that
that the
the change
change woulwouldd leadership, patrolling,
leadership, patrolling, night
night fighting,
fighting, and
and comba
combatt
make life
life more
more risky
risky for
for the
the intruder.
intruder. Since
Since most
most firing, day
firing, day and
and night. Throughtrial
night . Through trial and
and error,
of the
the Marines
Marines would
would notnot bebe in
in fixed
fixed positions
positionsbu butt Marines learned
Marines learned that, when firing at night, mor moree
patrolling or lying in ambush, the intruder would was not better. Results improved when they they fired
fired

12
12
 *4

When not
When not on
on patrol,
patrol, Marines
Marines honed
honed their
their battle
battle skills
skills in
in live
live night-fire
night-fire training
training.. The
training was
was aimed
aimed at
at creating
creating aa highly
highly disciplined
disciplined and
and technically
technically proficient
proficient force
force..
one or two
one or two shots,
shots, evaluated
evaluated the the strike
strike ofof the
th e other scenarios,
other scenarios, Marines
Marines practiced
practiced firing
firing atat silhou-
silhou-
rounds, and made corrections.
corrections . Finally,
Finally, there
there were
were ettes at
ettes at night
night.. At the night vision station,station, trainer
trainerss
seemingly endless
endless drills
drills onon the
the rules
rules of of engage-
engage- presented
presented Marines with different
Marines with different scenarios,
scenarios, askin
askingg
ment.43
ment .43 them to
them to describe
describe whatwhat theythey saw
saw while
while wearin
wearing g
The course
The course waswas aa success
success due due inin large
large part
part ttoo their goggles
their goggles.. The Theprocedure
procedureatatthe the rules
rules ooff
the foresight and and initiative
initiative ofof the
the regimental
regimental com-com- engagement station
engagement station waswas similar
similar.. There
There were
were more
mander, Colonel
Colonel Russell
RussellHH.. Sutton,
Sutton, who who under- than two dozen scenarios, requiring responses in
than
stood the
the need for constant, near real-time feed- feed - Spanish and
Spanish andEnglish
English.. Over
Over the
the course
course of of time,
time, mos
mostt
back from
from Panama
Panama to to make
make the the training
training fit
fit the
the Marines internalized
Marines internalized the the rules,
rules, which
which change
changedd
situation.
situation . To get that feedback, Colonel
Colonel Sutton
Sutton oorr somewhat over
somewhat over time
time but but consistently
consistently directe
directedd
one of
of hishis principal
principal staffstaff officers
officers travelled
travelled ttoo Marines to
Marines to use
use the
the minimum
minimum force force necessary
necessary ttoo
Panama
Panama on on aaregular basis . 44
regularbasis.44 counter threats
counter threats.. Under most circumstances during
Training did not not stop
stop after
after the
the Marine
Marine arrived
arrived inin the deployment
the deployment of of Marine
Marine Forces
Forces Panama,
Panama, if intrud
intrud--
Panama.
Panama . First, everyone received a week of indoc- ers were
ers were spotted,
spotted, thethe Marines
Marines had to challenge
trination and and orientation
orientation at at the
the Jungle
Jungle Warfare
Warfare them, and
them, and could
could take
take action
action only
only if if the
the intrude
intruderr
Training Center at Fort Sherman Sherman in in the
the Canal
Canal Zone
Zone.. committed aa hostile
committed hostile act,
act, which
which was was defined
defined as as
Then, even during the execution phase of the mis- pointing aa weapon
pointing weapon at at aa Marine
Marine or or attempting
attempting ttoo
sion, there
there was
was more
more training
training.. As As often
often asas every
every flank his
flank position . 4 5
his position.45
other night, front-line
front-line Marines
Marines cycled
cycled throug
throughh There was
There was even
even aa combat
combat pistol
pistol course
course fo forr
three stations where they practiced using night nigh t Marines armed
Marines armed withwith the the weapon,
weapon, important
important
vision goggles and
vision goggles and combat
combat firingfiring techniques
techniques,, because many of them had only fired their pistol
because pistolss
before running
before running through
through rules
rules of
of engagement
engagement drills
drills.. at stationary targets at known distances in order to to
During one
During one training
training exercise,
exercise, Marines
Marines moved moved tacti-
tacti- qualify. The course
qualify. The course consisted
consisted of of 10
10 rounds
rounds fired
fired aatt
cally down
cally down an an 800-meter
800-meter junglejungle trail
trail where
wherethe theyy eight targets, while
eight targets, while kneeling
kneeling and and standing,
standing, wit withh
had to
had to make
make split
split second
second "shoot
"shoot or or don't
don't shoot"
shoot " both
both strong
strong andand weak
weak hands,hands, as as well
well as as from
fro m
decisions while "minimizing"
decisions "minimizing" their their own positions
positions.. behind a low wall, a high high wall,
wall, through
through aa window,
window,
Pop-up targets
Pop-up targets and
and flashbangs
flashbangs added added realism
realism.. In In and at point-blank
and at point-blank range range.. To add stress, Marine Mariness

13
had
had to to complete
complete the the course
course in in less
less than
than on onee preparations for for the
the election
election thatthat Noriega
Noriega had had ttoo
minute.
minute . Every "pistol "pistol carrier"
carrier had had to
to fire, or refire
refire,, permit in MayMay.. This
This meant that the PDF spent more
the
the course
course before before going
going to to the
the field.
field . To
To make
make suresur e of its
of its energy
energy onon the
the streets
streets andand highways,
highways,which whichiin n
that skills were were notnot lost,
lost, the
the "pistol
pistol carrier"
carrier" also had
also turn created
turn created aa new
new set set of
of issues,
issues, that
that of
of freedom
freedomooff
to fire a few rounds for familiarization
familiarization almost
almost ever
everyy movement.. The problem was that the Panamanian
movement
day. 4 C
day.46 government began
government began to to restrict
restrict the
the ownership
ownershipof ofpri-
pri-
Most
Most Marines Marines became
became extremely
extremely proficient
proficient aatt vate vehicles by members of Southern Command Command,,
shooting at night, far more so than their opponents and to harass both individuals
individuals and and convoys
convoys at at road
road--
who failed
failed to to wound or or kill
kill aa Marine
Marine in in the
the tan
tankk blocks and
blocks andcheckpoints
checkpoints.. One One consequence
consequence of of th
the
e
farm or or ammunition
ammunitionsupply supplypoint point. On the
. On the othe
otherr shift in
shift in defense
defense force
force tactics
tactics waswas that,
that, among
amongthei theirr
hand, Marines scored numerous hits on their their oppo-
oppo- counterparts in
counterparts in Southern
Southern Command,Command, there there wa wass
nents, not not to
to mention
mention the the targets
targets on on the
the range
range,, now more
now more understanding
understanding and and sympathy
sympathy for for wha
whatt
where nighttime
nighttime scores
scores of of 15
15 out
out ofof 20
20 were
were th thee the Marines had endured
the endured..
norm.47
norm .47 Despite Noriega's best efforts, the ticket which whic h
Apart from from the
the training
training inin battle
battle skills,
skills, there
there wawass he endorsed
endorsed lost lost thethe 7 May May election
election.. Noriega'
Noriega'ss
continuing
continuing educationeducation for for officers
officers andand staff
staff non-
non - response was
response was to to send
send the the paramilitary
paramilitary DignityDignit y
commissioned officers officers.. To Todevelop
developaa commo
commonn Battalions intointo the
the streets
streets to to attack
attack his opponents
opponents,,
vocabulary and to exercise exercise tactical
tactical judgment,
judgment, the they
y including the the winning
winning candidates
candidates for for Presiden
Presidentt
conducted sand table exercises, many of the themm and Vice
and Vice President
President.. The The 10 10 May
May attack
attack on on Vic
Vicee
based
based on on scenarios
scenarios generated
generatedby byDr.Dr.William
Willia m President-elect Guillermo Ford was immortalize immortalizedd
Robertson's
Robertson's Korean KoreanWar Warclassic,
classic,Counterattack
Counterattack oonn by
by a a press
pressphotographer
photographerwho whoproduced
produced aa
the Nakong,
Nakong,1950.48 1950. 48 sequence of
sequence of photographs
photographsof ofNoriega's
Noriegas enforcer
enforcerss
The result result ofof the
the training was was aa highly
highly disci-
disci- striking the defenseless politician politician withwith sticks,
sticks, leav-
leav-
plined and and tactically
tactically andand technically
technically proficien
proficientt ing him bleeding profusely onto his white shirt. shirt .
force. Despite the
force . Despite the restrictions, which were frus- Overall, the the period was was similar
similar to to that
that ofof the
th e
trating at at times,
times, there
there was
was painstaking
painstaking adherence
adherence previous March,
March, and and evoked
evoked aa like like response
responsefro fromm
to the
the rules rules of of engagement,
engagement, which which camecame easie
easierr American policy-makers.
American policy-makers Withindays
. Within daysof of the
the elec-
elec-
because the Marines were confident in their own tion, additional Army and Marine Marine reinforcement
reinforcementss
abilities.
abilities . They They knew
knew that
that they
they could
could face
face most
most ooff were on their way way to to Panama
Panama.. Since freedom of
the challenges that they were likely to encounte encounterr movement
movement was was now now one one of of the
the central
central issues,
issues ,
in Panama,
in Panama, which which was was notnot just
just another
another trainin
trainingg General Woerner wanted mobile forces that suited suite d
area.
area . Staying ready to execute a tangible missionn
missio the terrain and and the
the situation
situation.. He He needed
needed the kin kindd
helped to keep morale high, which in turn mean meantt of light armored vehicles (LAVs) (LAVs) available
available only
only iinn
that the numbernumber of of office
office hours
hours to to enforce
enforce disci-
disci- the Marine CorpsCorps inventory.
inventory.The TheLAV
LAV was was the state-
state -
pline under
pline under the the Uniform
Uniform Code Code of of Military
Military Justic
Justicee of-the-art
of-the-art vehicle
vehicleinin its class, faster
its class, faster and
and more
more
was very
was verylow.49low. 49 maneuverable than most most of of the
the alternatives
alternatives.. It was
also formidable-looking, standing high on a eight eight--
The New
The New Year
Year wheel chassis
wheel chassis topped
topped by by aa chiselled
chiselled turret
turret.. The tur-
ret housed aa 25mm25mm "Bushmaster"
"Bushmaster" chain chain gungun an andd
Although there were incidents in January 1989
1989,, 7.62mm machine gun
7 .62mm machine gun.. Depending on its configu-
especially in the ammunition storage depot ration, most
ration, most vehicles
vehicles could could alsoalso carry
carry eigheightt
between the 6th and the 24th, the new yea
yearr infantrymen.
infantrymen .
brought aa period
brought period of
of relative
relative calm,
calm, and
and then
then aa virtu
virtu-- Given General
Given General Woerner's
Woerner's preference,
preference, itit waswas nno o
al end
end to
to confrontation
confrontation atat both
both facilities
facilities.. The situ-
situ- surprise that additional Marine Marine reinforcement
reinforcementss
ation was so quiet that a rumor that the Marine Mariness were drawn
were drawn from
from Company
CompanyA, A, 2d Light
Light Amphibiou
Amphibiouss
were going home in February
February made
made thethe rounds
rounds.. Infantry (LAI)
(LAJ) Battalion,
Battalion, equipped
equipped with with LAVs,
LAVs, oorr
However, the Joint Chiefs of Staff decided they tanquitos (little tanks), as the Panamanians soo soonn
were still needed in Panama,
Panama, andand the
the execute
execute orde
orderr labelled them.
labelled them . Accompanied by a battalion com-
never came.5°
never came .' " mand group
mand group and
and lifted
lifted into
into Howard
Howard Air Air Force
Force BasBasee
The reason why it was so quiet on the tank farm by six
six Air
Air Force
Force C-141C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter and three C- C-55
front was that the focus of activity had shifted to Galaxy aircraft, the tanquitos of Company
Galaxy aircraft, the tanquitos of Company A arrive d A arrived

14
14
in country
in country on 12 May. May. TheThe contingent
contingent comprise
comprisedd to conduct
to conduct operations
operations to to destabilize
destabilize the the PDF,
PDF,
14 light
14 light assault
assault variants (LAV-25s), two logistics ensure freedom
ensure freedom of of movement
movement for for U.S.
U .S . forces, and
forces, and
variants (LAV-Ls), and one command and contro controll rehearse and
rehearse and reconnoiter
reconnoiter for for follow-on
follow-on opera- opera-
variant, as well as 10 four-man scout scout teams
teams to to pro-
pro- tions.55
tions .53
tect
tect the LAV-25s.5'
LAV-25s . 5 ' One of
One of the
the more
more successful
successful Sand
Sand Flea
Flea opera-
opera-
The company's primary mission was to partici- tions was
tions was Westward
Westward Ho,
Ho, yet
yet another
anotherdemonstratio
demonstration n
pate in operations
operations to to ensure
ensure that that U.S.
U .S . forces
forces in of the
of the LAVs
LAYs usefulness in low-intensity conflicts conflicts..
Panama enjoyed
enjoyed freedomfreedom of of movement
movement in in an
andd The operation
The operation began
began early
early on
on 77 August
August.. Two pla- pla-
around the
around the Canal
Canal Zone,Zone, which
which was was guarantee
guaranteed d toons and a command element conducted a rout routee
under thethe Carter-Torrijos
Carter-Torrijos Treaty Treaty in in order
order forfor the
them m reconnaissance along
reconnaissance along the
the southwestern
southwestern borderborder ooff
to defend
to defend the the Canal
Canal.. TheThe security
security operations
operations were were the Canal ZoneZone.. Panamanian Defense Force ele-
known
known as as "Sand
"Sand FleasFleas."." Participation in this series ments detained
ments detained one
one of
of the
the LAVs
LAVs nearnear the
the town
town ooff
of operations
of operations signalled
signalled aa change
change for for Marine
Marine Forc Forcee Arraijan. LAYs went to the rescue,
Arraijan . A full platoon of LAVs rescue ,
Panama, which
Panama, which had had been
been largely
largely confined
confinedto toth
thee while Army
while Army helicopters
helicopters monitored
monitored defense
defense forc forcee
boundaries of
boundaries of Rodman
Rodman and and neighboring
neighboring militar militaryy activity from
activity from the air. Anotherplatoon
air. Another platoon of of LAV
LAVss
installations.. ItIt can
installations can bebe argued
argued thatthat itit was
was thethe LAV
LAVss stood by
stood by to
to block
block the
the routes
routes along
along which
which th thee
that transformed
that transformed Marine Marine Forces
Forces Panama
Panama from from a Panamanians could
Panamanians could send reinforcements..
send reinforcements
reinforced security
reinforced security force
force into
into aa maneuver
maneuver force force.. Meanwhile, the
Meanwhile, the command
command element lured aa squad- squad -
Within days of their arrival, the LAV5 seemed ttoo
LAVs seemed sized element
element of of the
the PDF
PDF onto
onto American-con-
American-con-
be everywhere
be everywhere at at once,
once, an an intentional
intentional tactic tactic trolled territory,
trolled territory, where
where Marines
Marines detained
detained its its mem-
mem-
designed to
designed to keep
keep the the Panamanian
Panamanian Defense Defense Force Forcess bers and
bers and confiscated
confiscated approximately
approximately one one dozen
dozen
off balance
off balance.. Their
Their effect
effect onon the
the PDF
PDF was was clear
clear iinn weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition
weapons ammunition..
incidents like
incidents like that
that of of 23
23 May,
May, when when Panamania
Panamanian n
Marine light armored
armored vehicles
vehicles cross
cross the
the Bridge
Bridgeofof
military police
military police stopped
stopped aa column
column of of LAVs
LAVs return-
return-
the Americas during
the Americas during one
one of
of several
several freedom
freedom ooff
ing to
ing to Rodman
Rodman from from aa routine
routine patrol,
patrol, claiming
claiming tha thatt
movement exercises.The
movement exercises. Theexercises
exercisesensured
ensuredtha
thatt
the LAYs were machines of
the LAVs were machines of war and therefor e war and therefore
American forces enjoyed
American forces enjoyed free
free movement
movement in in an
andd
required an
required an escort
escort.. The LAJ platoon
The LAI platoon commande
commanderr
replied that, by stopping
replied that, by stopping his vehicles, th his vehicles, thee around
around thethe Canal Zone and
Canal Zone and kept kept ththee
Panamanian Defense Forces off
Panamanian off balance.
balance .
Panamanians had violated his right
Panamanians had violated his right to freedom o to freedom off
movement. He gave the policemen
movement . He gave the policemen a card whic h a card which
spelled out out American
American treaty treaty rights
rights andandallowe
allowed d
4
spelled
them two minutes to consult with their superior superiorss
before he would "carry "carry Outout his mission."
mission ." Afte Afterr
making a show of attempting to call
making a show of attempting to call a superior, th a superior, the
e
Panamanian soldiers apologized
Panamanian soldiers apologized before permittin gbefore permitting
the LAYs
LAVs to to continue
continueon ontheir
theirway.52
way. 5 2
A few days later, in Operation Big Show, th thee
LAVs swam the Canal from west to east in an exer exer--
cise
cise designed
designed to to secure
secure U.S.U .S . housing and other
facilities at Fort Amador. The
facilities at Fort Amador . The tactic tactic of of crossing
crossing the
Canal
Canal at at will caught the
will caught the Panamanians
Panamanians off off guard,
guard ,
and
and waswas successful
successful enoughenough to to bebe repeated
repeated on on 20,
20 ,
23, and 26 June in similar operations.
23, and 26 June in similar operations . One month One month
later, on 22 July, the company company executed
executed Operatio
Operation n
Hippocrates, designed
designed to to test
test their
their ability
ability to to creat
createe
aa diversion
diversion on on thethe west
west bank
bank of of the
the Canal
Canal tha thatt
would make it difficult for the PDF
would make it difficult for the PDF to send rein- to send rein-
forcements to
forcements to the
the capital
capital on on the
the east
east bank
bank.. That
same dayday the
the Joint
Joint Chiefs
Chiefs issued
issued National
National Securit
Securityy
Directive 17, which formalized
Directive 17, which formalized what was alread what was already y
fact—giving commanders in Panama
fact—giving commanders in Panama the authority the authority

15
Major Manuel
Major Manuel Sieiro,
Sieiro, Noriega's
Noriega's brother-in-law,
brother-in-law, wa
wass units which played
units which played aa role role inin the
the events
events of of 33
among the
the detainees,
detainees, who
who were
were released
released afte
afterr October, when
October, when Panamanian
Panamanian militarymilitary dissident
dissidentss
being disarmed
disarmed and photographed . 54
andphotographed.54 under Major Moises Giroldi attempted to to over-
over-
Westward Ho was a typical operation in that LAI LA I throw Noriega, but succeeded only in holding hi himm
operations were were thethe focus
focus of of effort
effort for Marine
Marin e prisoner
prisonerfor for aa few few hourshours in in the the PD PDFF
Forces Panama
Panama during during the the summer
summer and and fall
fall ooff Commandancia, its headquarters in the capital. capital .
1989.. ItIt was
1989 was also
also typical
typical in in that
that the
the PDF failed ttoo The day before, Marine Forces Forces Panama
Panama was was place
placedd
impede
impede the the movement
movement of of the
the Marine
Marine vehicles
vehicles.. on standby, having received orders to prepare ttoo
What was
was less less typical
typical waswas the
the Marines'
Marines' propagan-
propagan- block the approaches to Panama City from the
da coup
coup.. While most Sand Flea operations clearly west, where the 6th and 7th PDF Companies ha hadd
demonstrated the futility of harassing mobile an andd their bases
bases.. The
The order
order to to execute
execute finally
finally cam camee
disciplined troops,
disciplined troops, the the detention
detention of of Noriega'
Noriega'ss around
around 11001100 on on the
the 3d,
3d, while
while thethe outcome
outcome was was
brother-in-law and
brother-in-law and his
his cohorts
cohorts was was anan unexpected
unexpected still in doubt
doubt.. While other Marine units moved ttoo
windfall which
windfall which increased
increased Marine self-confidence
self-confidence.. staging areas, 33
staging areas, 33 FAST
FAST Marines
Marines under under Firs Firstt
This was
This was important
important in in an
an uncertain
uncertain environment Lieutenant Robert F.
Lieutenant Robert F Killackey
Killackey responded.
responded . A
where it remained difficult to
where to measure success . 55
measure success.55 detachment
detachment of of Army
Army engineers
engineers and and aa reaction
reaction
Over time,
time, LAI
LAI operations
operations became
became more
more ambi-
ambi- force of LAI
force LAJ Marines
Marines in in light
light armored
armored vehicles
vehicles pro-pro-
tious and
tious and ranged
ranged farther
farther afield,
afield, asas in
in the
the case
case ofof vided support
vided support.. Killackey's
Killackey'sMarines
Marinesestablished
established a
Operation Lola,
Operation Lola, aa 300-kilometer
300-kilometermotorized
motorizedrecon-recon- roadblock approximately two kilometers kilometers west west ooff
naissance which
naissance which began
began on on 23
23 September,
September, aa littllittlee the tank farm, where the Pan-American Highwa Highwayy
more than
more than one one month
month after
after Company
Company B, B, 2d
2d LA
LAII intersected a north-south
north-south highway
highway.. The engineerengineerss
Battalion replaced
Battalion replaced Company
Company A, A, which
which rotate
rotatedd placed obstacles,
placed obstacles, while
while the
the LAI
LAIMarines
Marineswaited waitedi in n
home.
home . The The operation
operation took took thethe company
company west west reserve nearby
reserve nearby.. There
There waswas airair support
support on on station.
station.
through jungle
through jungle andand rolling
rolling terrain
terrain toto the
the town
town of of Just to
Just to be
be sure,
sure, Killackey
Killackey had had even
even taken
taken the trou-
Arenosa.
Arenosa . The Thelocal
localpopulace
populace welcomed
welcomed the the ble to plot artillery
ble artillery targets.58
targets . 5"
Marines in in what
what waswas generally
generally aa showshow of of friendl
friendlyy Tension was was high
high.. The Marines knew that the theyy
curiosity
curiosity despitedespite the the open
open hostility
hostility of of PDF
PD F could face up to two companies of PDF soldiers soldiers,,
"escorts," who followed
"escorts," followed the theLAVs
LAVsin inchase
chasecars.56
cars . 5" possibly supported by
possibly supported by Cadillac
Cadillac Gage Gage V-15 V-1500
Despite the focus on mobile operations, the LAI armored cars and V-300 armored personnel carri-
routine was not very different from that of the rifle rifle ers, some armed with 90mm guns guns.. But Butitit soo
soonn
companies that continued to serve in Panama Panama.. The The became clear that the greater threat was was from
from th thee
company generally was
company generally was on on aa schedule
schedule of of three-day
three-day east.
east . Hundreds of civilians were fleeing the capital
capita l
rotations, with
rotations, with oneone platoon
platoon on on patrol,
patrol, another
another iin n on account of the coup coup.. At times near panic, the
training, and and the
the third
third inin maintenance
maintenance.. Training
Trainin g crowd pressed againstagainst the
the Marine
Marine positions
positions.. Th Thee
emphasized 25mm gunnery, small arms marksman-
emphasized marksman - Marines held the crowd back as much by their pro pro--
ship, and
ship, and rules of engagement
engagement.. There There were live-fire fessional and aggressive appearance as by thei theirr
exercises virtually
exercises virtually every
every dayday.. What
Whatwas was somewha
somewhatt obstacles. They did
obstacles . They did not
not need
need toto fire
fire any
any shots,
shots, or or
different from the training for infantry Marines wa wass come intointo physical
physical contact
contact with
with any
any ofof the
the would
would--
the roadblock training. While the
the roadblock training . While the scout platoo n scout platoon be refugees.5'
refugees . 5'
practiced crowd control formations, other LAJ LA I Although
Although the the perimeter
perimeter held, held, two two thing
thingss
Marines developed techniques for clearing clearing bot bothh became clear
became clear with
with time.
time . One Onewas wasthat,that, ifif th
thee
hasty and
and deliberate
deliberateroadblocks.57
roadblocks . 57 Marines had
Marines had to
to open
open fire
fire for
for any
any reason,
reason, civilian
civilian
casualties would
casualties wouldbe behigh
high. Thesecond
. The second was was that
that
The October
The October Coup
Coup and
and its
its Aftermat
Aftermath
h PDF reinforcements
PDF reinforcements were were notnot travelling
travelling by by road
road..
Ultimately, Noriega
Noriega waswas rescued
rescued by by troops
troops airlifte
airliftedd
The LAI company
The LAI company was
was one
one of
of the
the few
few Marine
Marine into the capital
capital.. That
That being
being the case, Killackey'
the case, Killackey'ss
Marines were withdrawn after being in in place
place fo forr
*The
approximately two hours. hours . OnceOnceagain,
again,restrain
restraintt
* ThePDF
PDFwas
was able
able to
to deploy
deploy "escorts"
"escorts" since advance warn-
since advance warn-
ing of impending movements
movements generally
generally was
was required
required by
by th
thee and common sense had served the Marines well. well .
CanalTreaty.
Canal Treaty.InInthis
thisinstance,
instance,the
thePDF
PDF"escorts"
"escorts"did
didnot
nothinde
hinderr The coup
The attempt prompted
coup attempt prompted Souther Southern n
American freedom of movement.
movement . Command and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Staff to to reevalu-
reevalu -

16
 existingcontingency
ate existing
ate contingency plans plans for forPanama
Panama.. begin with
begin with aa number
number of of simultaneous
simultaneous attack attackss
Collectively known
Collectively known as as Prayer
PrayerBook,
Book,they theyinclude
included d throughout the
throughout the country.
country. The primary mission for for
plans forfor neutralizing
neutralizingthe thePDF, defending th
PDF, defending thee Task Force
Task Force Semper
Semper Fi,Fi, the
the designation
designationgiven givenMarinMarinee
Canal, and
Canal, and restoring
restoring lawlaw and
and order.
order. ButBut they were Forces Panama
Forces Panama and and its
its attached
attached units units under
under 90-290-2,,
primarily defensive
primarily defensive in naturein nature. . They
They lacked the
lacked the was to
was to support
support the the attacks
attacks by by defending
defending the the west
west--
range of options, specifically offensive options, that tha t ern approaches
ern approaches to to Panama
Panama City, City, including
including th thee
the new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Staff, Bridge of
Bridge of the
the Americas
Americas whichwhich connected
connected the the eas
eastt
General Cohn LL.. Powell, and the new SouthCo
General Colin SouthCom m and west sidessides ofof the
the Pan-American
Pan-American Highway Highway ove overr
commander, General
General Maxwell
Maxwell R R.Thurman,
.Thurman, wanted wanted.. the Canal.
the Canal . Since Marine forces were already per-
In particular, they wanted to change Blue Spoon, Spoon , fectly positioned,
positioned, the the planners
planners neededneeded only only ttoo
the plan for neutralizing the PDF, in order to pro-
the pro- make itit official
make official.. Although
Although not not explicit
explicit in all ver-
vide aa capability to respond virtually without sions of
sions of the
the plan,
plan, other
other missions
missions assigned
assigned included
included::
notice to
notice to unforeseen
unforeseen contingencies
contingencies and and to to com-
com- protecting U.S.
protecting U .S . facilities at Howard, Rodman,
Howard, Rodman, an andd
bine conventional
bine conventional and and special
specialforces,
forces,such suchas asArm
Army y neighboring Fort Kobbe Kobbe;; seizing the port of Vaca Vac a
Rangers and
Rangers and paratroopers,
paratroopers, for night operations operations.. Monte;; and
Monte neutralizing all PDF
and neutralizing PDF threats
threats in its
in its
They also
also wanted
wanted to to be
be able
able toto do
do more
more thanthan sim-sim- assigned zone,
assigned zone, which
which included
included basesbases and and station
stationss
ply neutralize the PDF. PDE After 3 October it was clea clearr in the
in the towns
townsof ofArraijan and Veracruz
Arraijan and Veracruz.. The security
that simply
that simply eliminating
eliminating Noriega
Noriega and and replacing
replacing hi himm of Howard,
of Howard, throughthrough which
which troops
troops andand equipmen
equipmentt
with another
another Panamanian
Panamanian military
military officer
officer woulwouldd flowed into
flowed into Panama,
Panama, eventually
eventually becamebecame Marin Marinee
have little effect
have little effect onon the
the situation
situation.. The The PDF was, was , command's focus of effort.6 effort ." '
after all, his
after his creature
creature.. In October
In October and and November,
November, General General Stiner
Stiner an andd
The need for change meant a larger role for th thee his staff
his staff held
held aa series
series of
of meetings
meetings in in Panama
Panama wit withh
XVIII Airborne Corps under Lieutenant General subordinate commanders
commanders to to discuss
discuss the the plan
plan.. The
Carl W.W Stiner,
Stiner, USA.
USA. His Hiscommand
command was was the the U.S.
U .S . commander of Marine Forces Panama, Colonel Colone l
Army's crisis action team which any of the region-
the region - Charles
Charles E E.. Richardson
Richardson;; his his operations
operations officer,
al commanders-in-chief could
al commanders-in-chief could task task. . Able
Able to call
to call oonn Lieutenant Colonel Michael
Lieutenant Colonel Michael JJ.. Franks;
Franks ; and liaison
some 85,000 troops at posts
some 85,000 troops at posts throughout th e throughout the officer, Major Bron
officer, Major BronNN.. Madrigan,
Madrigan, represented
represented the
United States,
United States, and
and to
to deploy
deploy forces
forces on on short
short notice
notice,, Marine position with energy and imagination. imagination .
it had
had aa large
large and
and competent
competent operations
operations staff, staff, aass They made
They made itit clear
clear that
that 90-2
90-2 represented
represented aa sub- sub-
well as some of the best troops and equipment iin n stantial change and
stantial change and expansion
expansion of of the
the origina
originall
the U.S. arsenal. Stiner himself was an
the U .S . arsenal . Stiner himself was an experience dexperienced Marine mission in in Panama
Panama.. Under 90-2, the the Marine
Marine
and aggressive
and aggressive field
field commander
commander who who already
already had had aa command
command could could become
become responsible
responsible for for anan are
areaa
contingency plan for Panama on
contingency plan for Panama on the shelf . Bu the shelf. Butt which embraced literally hundreds of square square kilo-
kilo -
now Powell
now Powell and and Thurman
Thurman decided
decided to to enlarg
enlargee meters. Remembering that
meters . Remembering that itithad had originally
originally
Stiner's role.. His
Stiner's role His staff
staff would
would take
take the
the lead
lead in in plan-
plan- deployed as the advance force for a Marine expe-
ning operations
ning operations in in Panama
Panama and,and, inin the
the event
event of of hos
hos-- ditionary brigade,
ditionary brigade, andand that
that Blue
Blue Spoon
Spoon had had con-
con-
tilities, he would assume overall command, becom- tained provisions for a MEB, Franks suggested iin
tained provisions for a MEB, Franks suggested n
ing Commander-in-Chief, Joint Joint Task
Task Force
Force South
South.. early October that the MEB be written
early October that the MEB be written into 90-2 . into 90-2.
The final
The final version
version of of Stiner's
Stiners operations plan, plan , When it became clear that this would not happen happen,,
known
known as as XVIII
XVIII Airborne
Airborne Corps
Corps Op Op Plan
Plan 90-2
90-2,, both Richardson
both Richardson and and Franks
Franks repeatedly
repeatedly requeste
requestedd
emphasized overwhelming force,
emphasized overwhelming force, maximum
maximum sur- sur- that at least one Marine battalion deploy
that deploy to to Panam
Panamaa
prise, and centralized control. In line with
control . In line with guid- guid- to augment
to augment the the task
task force
force.. Ultimately,
Ultimately,Genera Generall
ance from
from Washington,
Washington, itit also
also emphasized
emphasized the the nee
needd Stiner decided against deploying additional Marine
Stiner Marin e
for
for restraint
restraint in the application
in the application of of force
force in in order
order ttoo forces.
forces . However,
However, he
he did
did agree
agree to
to provide
provide a
a battal-
battal-
limit collateral damage
limit collateral damage andand civilian
civilian casualties
casualties.. The The ion of
of the
the 82d
82d Airborne
Airborne Division
Division no no later
later than
than 3366
principal missions under the
principal missions under the plan were toplan were to protec
protectt hours after
hours after H-Hour,
H-Hour, in in addition
addition to to the
the 536t5 36thh
the canal, defend treaty rights, remove Norieg Noriegaa Engineer Battalion
Battalion and and the
the 534th
534th Military
Military PolicPolicee
from power,
power, andand create
create a substitute
substitute for for the PDF PDF to to Company. Later in the planning planning cycle,
cycle, Stiner's
Stiners staff
staff
protect a democratically-elected
democratically-elected government government iin n decided to to substitute
substitute aa battalion
battalion of of the
the 7th
7th Infantr
Infantry y
Panama..
Panama Division
Division (Light)(Light) forfor the
the battalion
battalion of of the
the 8282dd
Stiners
Stiner's plan
plan of of attack called for operations to Airborne Division.6'
Airborne Division . "

17
 In the meantime, the LAI LA! Marines continued ttoo Onn
and anything else they could [lay their hands on] . . . .O
conduct Sand
conduct Sand Flea
Fleaoperations
operations.. Given
Given the
the height-
height- the other
the other side
side of
of the
the roadblock
roadblock waswas another
another crowd,
crowd, thi
thiss
ened possibility
possibility of
of aa large-scale
large-scale operation
operation agains
againstt one friendly,
one friendly, cheering . what we
cheering .. . . what we had
had done.
done . .. . ."
.

Noriega and the PDF, these operations were more

Noriega more Five minutes later the company was again mov
Five mov--
important than ever.
important ever. While
While Panamanian
Panamanian military
militar y ing down the open
open road.
road .Soon,
Soon, however,
however, it encoun-
responses may
responses may have
have slowed
slowed somewhat
somewhat duedue to
to th
thee roadblocks.. ItIt breached
tered two more roadblocks breached thethe firs
firstt
purge which
which followed
followed the the coup
coup attempt,
attempt, ther
theree without stopping
without stopping.. The
The second,
second, near
near the
the town
town ooff
were still difficult timestimes.. On 31 October,
October, forfor exam-
exam- Rio Potrero,
Rio Potrero, was
was built
built around
around aa farmer's
farmer's picku
pickupp
ple, Company
Company B B encountered
encountered aa roadblock
roadblock at at La
La truck.
truck . The PDF had apparently
apparently forced
forced himhim and
and hi
hiss
Chorerra, several
Chorerra, several kilometers
kilometers westwest ofof the
the Cana
Canall neighbors to set it up.
neighbors up . When
When thethe treaty
treaty affairs offi-
offi-
Zone along the Pan-American Highway, during th thee cers told the farmer that the Marines had simply
cers simply
execution of Operation Chisum. Chisum . TheThe Marines
Marines were
wer e pushed vehicles
vehicles out
out of
of their
their way
way at at two
two previou
previouss
disappointed when JTF Panama Panama ordered them to to roadblocks, he
roadblocks, he and
and his
his friends
friends redirected
redirected their
turn around rather than accept accept the
the risk
risk of
of collater-
collater- anger at the Panamanian troops and drove the lit-
anger lit -
al damage
al damage which which attempts
attempts to to breach
breach inevitabl
inevitably y tle truck away.
tle truck away.`''
entailed.62
entailed . G" Block and counterblock technology continue continuedd
On 22
On 22 November
November 1989, 1989, during
during Operatio
Operationn to evolve after Rough Rider. The
to evolve after Rough Rider. The Panamanian s Panamanians
Rough Rider, matters were refreshingly differen differentt staged junkyard
junkyard vehicles
vehicles at at key
key locations
locations toto creat
createe
for the next company
company of of LAI
LA! Marines
Marines to to serve
serve iin
n roadblocks, and stacked old tires in front of them them,,
Panama--Company D, 2d LAI LAI Battalion,
Battalion, undeunderr ready to set them on fire. The
fire . The Marines acquired
acquire d
Captain Gerald H. H . Gaskins. Plannedto
Gaskins . Planned tofamiliarize
familiarize grappling hooks and fire extinguishers to remov removee
the
the fresh company with the towns of Nuevo
fresh company with the towns of Nuev o the threat, and
the threat, prepared for
and prepared for more
more serious
serious threats
threats,,
Emperador, Nuevo Guarare, Vista Allegre, an andd such as Molotov cocktails, by issuing M-14 rifles ttoo
Arraijan, the
Arraijan, the operation
operation called
called for
for the
the deploymen
deploymentt two trained
trained snipers
snipersininthe
thecompany.65
company.`5
of 12
12 LAVs
LAVs and and three
three HMMWVs,
HMMWVs, supported
supportedby byaann
Army psychological
Army psychological operations
operations detachment
detachment and and Causee
Setting the Stage for Just Caus
two treaty affairs officers, as well as an OH-58 OH-58 Pav Pavee
Low helicopter
Low helicopter.. On On the
the outskirts
outskirts ofof Vista
Vista Allegre
Allegre,, Although Sand
Although Sand Flea
Flea operations
operations continue
continuedd
leading LAV
the leading
the reported aa crowd
LAY reported crowd wavinwavingg throughout December,
December, the Marines spent spent more
more
Panamanian flags
Panamanian flags and
and several
several banners
banners in in front
front of
of aa and more time planning and rehearsing for contin contin--
roadblock.. At
roadblock At that
that point,
point, the
the lead
lead element
element halte
haltedd gencies under
gencies under Plan
Plan 90-2
90-2.. Marine
Marinecounterintelli-
counterintelli-
75 meters
75 meters from from the
the roadblock,
roadblock, while
while the
the rear
rear ele-
ele- gence operatives
gence operatives andand interrogator-translators
interrogator-translators con- con-
ment set
ment set up up aa counterblock
counterblock to to prevent
prevent any any sur-
sur- tinued to to collect
collect data
data onon potential
potential threats
threats an andd
prise from
from the the rear.
rear. When a shouting match match erupt-
erupt- targets of all kinds, including
targets including specific
specific buildings
buildings an andd
ed between
ed between the the treaty
treaty affairs
affairs officers
officers and and th
thee individual defense
individual defense force
force personalities
personalities.. Thei Theirr
crowd, Captain
crowd, Captain Gaskins requested permission ttoo reports, often
reports, often the
the fruit
fruit of
of long
long hours
hours on
on the
the street
streetss
warn the crowd that, in five minutes, the LAYs LAV s and in
and in the
the barrios
barrios around
around Rodman,
Rodman, placed
placed aa wealt
wealthh
would breach
breach the the roadblock.
roadblock .Almost
Almostimmediately,
immediately, of information
of information at the disposal
at the disposal of ofColone
Colonell
Marine Forces Panama granted permission. permission . Captain
Captain Richardson'sstaff
Richardson's staff. With that knowledge
. With that knowledge in in hand
hand,,
Gaskins
Gaskins orderedordered the the treaty
treaty affairs
affairs officers
officers ttoo they were
they were able
able toto conduct
conduct realistic
realistic planning
planning exer-
exer-
reboard their vehicles and the company to move. move . cises, and
cises, and prepare
prepare forfor operations against a range of
He described what happened next next:: potential targets. As part of the process,
process, operation
operationss
officers drafted
drafted sets
sets of
of orders,
orders, written
written forfor bot
bothh
The agitators realized what our intentions were, an andd offensive and defensive scenarios, which were dis-
several vehicles
vehicles were
were hit
hit by
by rocks
rocks.. The
The company
company . . . col-
. .

tributed to all companies.

companies .First First Lieutenant
Lieutenant Kenneth
lapsed
lapsed into into aa single
single file
file except
except forfor the
the rear
rear element
element
which blocked
which blocked traffic
traffic until
until every
every vehicle
vehicle was
was through
through.. M. DeTreux recalled
M . DeTreux recalled that
that at
at least once a week com com--
One Panamanian
One Panamanian rammed
rammed an an LAV-L
LAV-L with
with aa pickup
pickup truc
truckk pany commanders
commanders briefedbriefed their
their officers
officers onon recen
recentt
. . . . [A]
[A] female
female agitator tried to block our movement with developments and pointedpointed outout possible
possible changes
changesiin n
her body.She
her ShefeU
fell backwards, feet in the air, flipping
flipping ove
overr the orders
orders that
that could
could result
result from
from them
them.. Then
Then th thee
another . . .. vehicle
another Theagitators
vehicle.. The agitators were
were shocked,
shocked, andand
.

began beating
.

beating our
our vehicles
vehicles with
with their
their fists,
fists, flag
officers would conduct
officers would conduct map map exercises
exercises.. Colonel
Colonel
began flag poles,
poles,
Richardson also
Richardson also conducted
conducted frequent
frequent sand
sand tabl
tablee

18
18
 including aa three-story
including three-story fortress-like
fortress-like office building
building..
The result was that one LAI LA! platoon
platoon was was ordered
ordered
to join
to join Task
TaskForceForceGator
Gator. Toprepare
. To preparefor foranothe
anotherr
possible mission
mission in in downtown
downtown Panama PanamaCity, City FAS
FAST T
Marines practiced
practiced operations
operations to to reinforce
reinforce th thee
detachment of
detachment of Marine
Marine Security
Security GuardsGuards at at ththee
American
American Embassy, Embassy, which
whichwas was nearnear th thee
Commandancia.67
Commandancia ."
It bears emphasis that virtually all Marines were
involved in preparations for implementing implementing 90-2 90-2..
Colonel Richardson
Colonel Richardson realized
realized that,
that, given
given the
the ambi-
ambi-
tious nature of the mission, it was likely that hhee
would commit Marines Marines from from administrative
administrative an and d
combat service support units to
combat service support units to combat, that is ,combat, that is,
commit Marines whose primary job was to sup sup--
port the Marines on the front lines lines.. They practiced
practice d
basic combat
combatskills skills and and literally
literally fired fired theitheirr
weapons day and night until he was
weapons day and night until he was satisfied wit satisfied with h
their
their proficiency.68
proficiency. "
The added
added responsibility
responsibility was was especially
especially wel- wel-
come to one Marine, Second Second Lieutenant
LieutenantThomasThomas H. H.
Goessman, who had joined the Marine Corps to
become
become an an infantry
infantry officer
officer but,but, by
by the
the luck
luck ofof ththee
draw at the Basic School, became became aa supply
supply officer.
officer.
He was
was elated
elated when
when it it dawned
dawned on on him
him that
that he
he wawass
Photo
Photo by
by CWO-3 W. Rowe,
CharlesW.
C\VO-3 Charles Rowe,Jr.
Jr. likely to
to see
see more
more action
action than
than many
many of of his
hisbrothe
brotherr
Light Amphibious
Light Amphibious Infantry
Infantry Battalion
Battalion Marines
Marines officers
officers who
who werewere serving
serving in in combat
combat arms arms billets
billets
train
train for
for urban
urban warfare.
warfare . In
In the
the event of conflict outside Panama.
Panama . Most,
Most, if if not all, Marines in Panam Panamaa
the Marines were
were to
to be
be prepared
prepared to
to secure
secure aa num-
num- shared Goessman's
shared Goessman'sattitude attitude; theywanted
; they wanted to to bbee
ber of Panamanian Defense Force facilities. there and to share in conducting the operation.6 operation ."
• The tempo
tempo of of events
events increased
increased significantly
significantly
exercises for the
exercises for thesame
samepurpose
purpose. ." after 16
after 16 December
December.. That Thatday,day,Marine
Marine First First
Company D, D, 2d2d LAI
LAI Battalion,
Battalion, prepared
prepared to to Lieutenant Robert
Lieutenant Robert Paz,
Paz, whowho was was assigned
assigned to to th
thee
secure a nearby
nearby PDFPDF facility,
facility Directorate of Traffi
Trafficc operations section
operations section at at SouthCom
SouthCorn and and therefore
therefore no nott
and Transportation (DNTT)
and Transportation (DNTT)Station
StationNo No.. 2,
2, in subject to
subject to the
the precautionary
precautionary MarineMarinecommand
commandreg- reg-
Arraijan, and, to a limited extent, trained for
Arraijan, and, to a limited extent, trained for mili- mili- ulation against liberty in Panama City, drove wit withh
tary
tary operations in urban areas . Although none ooff
operations in urban areas. Although none three other
three other officers
officers toto have
have dinner
dinner in in the
the capital
capital..
the Marines, either in the LAI or the infantry com- They lost their
their way,
way and found themselves at at aa PD
PDFF
pany, received
received aa great
great deal
deal of
of urban
urban training,
training, aatt checkpoint near
checkpoint near the
the Commandancia
Commandancia.. Panamanian
least the LA!
LAI Scout platoon practiced, as a unit, for
scout platoon soldiers carrying
soldiers carrying AK-47AK-47 rifles
rifles shouted
shouted threats
threats andand
operations that went beyond
beyond the
the simple
simple mission
missionooff attempted to
attempted to drag
drag them
them out out ofof their
their car.
car. At
At thathatt
each fire team protecting
protecting its
its own
own LAV.
LAy. Other LAI point, the young officers decided decided to to drive
drive away.
away. At At
Marines worked with the Army's Task Force Gator, Gator, least one
least one ofof the
the PDF
PDF soldiers
soldiers opened
opened firefire with
with an an
whose objective was
whose objective was to neutralize th
to neutralize thee AK-47, and and hit
hit the
the car.
car. Paz,
Paz, who
who was was sitting in the
Commandancia.
Commandancia . After After witnessing
witnessing thethe accuracy
accuracy of back seat,
back seat, was
was struck
struck by by aa round
round which
whichentere
entered d
LAy
LAV gunnery,
gunnery, and and conducting
conducting extensive tests, tests , through the trunk. He was pronounced dead a few
through
including firing into
including firing into windows
windows at at ranges
ranges upup to
to minutes later
minutes later at Gorgas Army Community Community HospitalHospital..
2,000 meters,
2,000 meters, Army
Army planners
planners concluded
concluded thatthat th
thee Navy Lieutenant Adam J.
Navy Curtis and
J. Curtis and hishis wife
wife,,
LAy was the most effective weapon in
LAV in the
the JTF
JTF Bonnie, witnessed
Bonnie, witnessed the the incident,
incident, having been
Panama inventory for engaging targets inside the
Panama stopped at
stopped at the
the same
same checkpoint
checkpoint.. Shortly after the the
PDF Headquarters,
PDF Headquarters, aa complex
complex of of 15
15 buildings
buildings shooting, they
shooting, they themselves
themselves were were taken
taken to to the
the

19
19
Commandancia, where PDF soldiers beat beat the
the lieu-
lieu - the President's
the President's approval
approval to to proceed
proceed.. H-Hour wa wass
tenant
tenant and and threatened
threatened his his wife.
wife . They They werewere set for 0100 on 20 December.
set
released
released aa fewfewhours
hourslater.7°
later.'° The decision
decision to to execute
execute 90-2,
90-2, nownow renamed
renamed Jus Justt
American military
American military leaders
leaders in Washington and Cause by
Cause by the
the Joint
Joint Chiefs
Chiefs of of Staff,
Staff, was
was closely
closelyheld held,,
Panama reacted strongly to the incidents, incidents, especial-
especial- and even
and even after
after being
being briefed
briefed by the current JTF
ly since Noriega had declared on 15 Decembe Decemberr Panama commander,
Panama commander, Major Major General
General Marc Marc A A..
that a state of war existed between the United Unite d Cisneros, USA, on the night
Cisneros, USA, on the night of 18 December, of 18 December,
States and
and Panama
Panama.. It It now
now appeared
appeared thatthat America
Americann Colonel Richardson could not inform his staff staff..
servicemen were were at at risk
risk in
in Panama,
Panama, and and that
that th
thee Returning from the meeting, all he said to the themm
PDF was Out out ofof control
control.. The decision was relative- was that
that Lieutenant
Lieutenant Paz Paz hadhad notnot died
died inin vain,
vain, an andd
ly easy.
easy To do nothing but protest was unaccept- unaccept- then set
then set about
about making
making sure sure that
that his
his Marines
Marines wer weree
able.
able . To remove Noriega and and leave
leave the
the PDF
PDF intac
intactt as prepared
as prepared as as they
they could
could be be without
without knowing
knowing th thee
was not
was not any
any more
more attractive
attractive nownow thanthan itit had
had bee
beenn plans.
plans . ThisThismeant
meantthat that19 19December
Decemberbecame became a
in October, especially
in October, especially since
since the
the PDF
PDF appeared
appeared ttoo maintenance and
maintenance and logistics
logistics day day. Captain
CaptainGaskin
Gaskinss
have
have actedacted moremore or or less
less on on its
its own
own on on 1616 told his
told his officers
officers that,
that, until
until further
further notice,
notice, thei theirr
December.
December. The Theonly
onlyoption
option remaining
remaining was was ttoo appointed place
appointed place of of duty
duty waswas the the maintenanc
maintenancee
implement 90-2 90-2 contingency
contingency plans plans against
against botbothh ramp.. While
ramp While the
the LAI
LAJ officers
officers werewere at at the
the mainte-
mainte-
Noriega and the PDF, which which thethe Joint
Joint Chiefs
Chiefs ooff nance ramp, Colonel
Colonel Richardson
Richardson attended
attended anothe
anotherr
Staff discussed when when theythey gathered
gathered at at Genera
Generall meeting at JTF Panama headquarters, and received receive d
Powell's quarters
Powell's quarters in in Washington
Washington on on Sunday,
Sunday, 1177 permission to brief his officers at 1800, and and toto
December.7"
December. allow themthem toto brief
brief their
theirtroops
troopsthree
threehours
hourslater.72
later .' ]
During the
During the meeting,
meeting, the the Commandant
Commandant of of th
thee Even though the Marine mission did not coin-
Marine Corps,
Marine Corps, General
General Alfred
Alfred M M.. Gray, offered ttoo cide exactly with expectations, and even even thougthoughh
commit the
commit the 11th
11th Marine
Marine Expeditionary
Expeditionary Uni Unitt the decision to execute at night came as a surprise, surprise ,
(MEU), Special Operations Capable (SOC), tto
(MEU), Special Operations Capable (SOC), o the objectives and tasks tasks were
were by by and
and large
large familiar,
familiar,
Panama.. He
Panama He pointed
pointed out out that
that the
the unit,
unit, aa composit
compositee ones
ones which the Marines had anticipated in
which the Marines had anticipated in their
thei r
Marine Air-
Marine Air- Ground
Ground TaskTask Force
Force built
built around
around aa bat-
bat- training.
training . At 1800 on the 19th, Colonel Richardson
Richardso n
talion landing team of infantry,
talion landing team of infantry, was thoroughlywas thoroughly briefed individual units on their assigned missions missions..
ready. ItItwas
trained and ready. wasalready
alreadyembarked
embarked on on Company D, 2d LAI Battalion (Minus) (Minus) (Reinforced)
(Reinforced),,
board ship and, unlike airborne units,
board ship and, unlike airborne units, carried 3 0 carried 30 was to attack and seize DNTT DN1T Station No. No . 2, 2, attack
attac k
days worth
worth of of supplies
supplies.. Currently between Hawai Hawaiii and seize the PDF station in Arraijan, and screen to to
and California, it could be off Panama within aafe
and California, it could be off Panama within feww the west
the west ofof Arraijan
Arraijan.. Company D's 2d Platoon was
days.**
days . ** However, the consensus among the Joint to support
support TaskTask Force
Force Gator.
Gator. Company
Company I,I, 33dd
Chiefs was
Chiefs was that
that the
the United
United States
States needed
needed to to reac
reactt Battalion, 6th
Battalion, 6th Marines
Marines (Reinforced),
(Reinforced), was was to to estab-
estab-
as soon
as soon as as possible,
possible, and and that
that the
the approximately
approximately lish aa roadblock
lish roadblock southsouth ofof Howard
Howard AFB, AFB, attack
attack andand
24,000 troops
24,000 troops already
already earmarked
earmarked for for the
the operatio
operationn seize the
seize the PDF
PDF station
station in in Veracruz,
Veracruz, and and maintai
maintainn
under Contingency Plan 90-2 would be more tha thann security in
security in the
the tank
tank farm
farm.. When
When relieved
relieved by by ththee
enough to to ensure
ensure quick
quick success
success.. With
With the Joint Marine Security
Marine Security Force
Force Company,
Company, itit was was toto occup
occupy y
Chiefs in full agreement, General Powell secure securedd the high
the high ground
ground west west ofof Howard,
Howard, and and screen
screen th thee
approaches to
approaches to the
the airfield.
airfield. The reinforced
reinforced detach-
detach-
ment from
ment from BSSG-6
BSSG-6 was was to to form
form aa provisional
provisional rifl riflee
**At
At least
least one
one writer
writer has
has raised
raised questions
questions about
about the
the incident,
incident ,
suggesting that Lieutenant
Lieutenant Paz
Paz andand the
the other
other officers
officers in
in the
the ca
carr
platoon, seize and hold the Bridge of the Americas, Americas ,
may have been on some kind of mission, possibly of their ow ownn and provide
and provide combat
combat service
service support
support to to Marin
Marinee
making.
making . The driver of the vehicle, Captain Richard
Richard E. E .Haddad,
Haddad , command.
command . The The Marine
Marine Security
Security ForceForce Compan
Companyy
was
was also
also aaMarine
MarineCorps
Corps officer
officer assigned
assigned to to Souther
Southernn was to to relieve
relieve Company
Company II in in the
the tank
tank farm,
farm, follo
followw
Command.
Command . See John G. Roos,"Did President Bush jump jump the
the gu
gunn in trace
trace ofof Company
Company D D and
and establish
establish aa roadbloc
roadblockk
in ordering
ordering thethe invasion
invasion of
of Panama?"
Panama?" ArmedArmed Forces
Forces Journa
Journall
International, Sep92,
Sep92, pp.
pp .10,
10, 14.
14 .
west
west of of the
the fuel
fuel storage
storage facility
facility on on the
the Pan-Pan -
** American Highway,
Highway, and and maintain
maintain security
security at at othe
otherr
amphibious group
Three amphibious
** Three group ships
ships with
with the
the embarke
embarkedd
Marine Expeditionary
Expeditionary Unit
Unit arrived
arrived off
offCamp
CampPendleton
Pendletonon on1199
U.S. Navy installations
U .S . Navy installations.. The FAST Platoon, in in addi-
addi-
December, while the fourth arrived in San Diego and offloade offloadedd tion
tion toto serving
serving as as the
the command's
command's reserve, reserve, woul wouldd
on 22
on 22 December.
December. be prepared, on
be prepared, order, to
on order, to reinforce
reinforce the the Marine
Marin e

20
20
 —E
2: 0
C
—
a C
LU
C)

's-ca
'it, C
C/)

N —
o—--C
-J
C 4)

,c* C'

F C —.
oN

21
21
 I -#

P/3otoby
Photo bySgt
Sgt Robert
Robert C.
C.JenL's
Jenks
Marine Forces
Marine Forces commander Col Charles E E.. Richardson, center left, paces the
the floor
floor of
of
the combat operations center two hours before Operation Just Cause is launched.
the combat operations center two hours before Operation Just Cause is launched .

Detachment at at the
the U.S.
U .S . Embassy and and provide
provide a Combatt
Comba
close-quarter battle element for Company D.
close-quarter D.
When Richardson briefed
When Richardson briefed the the mission,
mission, h hee Even 'before
before H-Hour,
H-Hour, Marines went into action. action .
stressed security
stressed security of of operations
operations and andthetheuse
useof ofmin-
min- At approximately
At approximately 0040,
0040, Captain
Captain Gaskins
Gaskins received
received aa
imum force
imum force.. HeHetold
toldhishiscommanders
commanders to avoi avoidd report that Panamanian V-300 armored personne personnell
damaging historical
damaging historical sites
sites and
and public
public works,
works, and and ttoo carriers were on
carriers were on the
the move
move in in the
the vicinity
vicinity ooff
give the
give the PDF
PDF thethe opportunity
opportunity to to surrender
surrender.. No on onee Rodman.
Rodman . He He assumed
assumed that
that they
they were
were heading
heading fo forr
was to forget that the Panamanian
Panamanian people people were were no
nott Panama City, and, mindful of his mission, ordered
Panama
the target
the target.. But
But he
he did
did not
not want
want anyone
anyone to to neglect
neglect his Marines
his Marines toto begin
begin moving
moving to to their
their blocking
blocking posi-
posi-
the mission,
the mission, concluding
concluding with with thethe words
words "attack
attack allal
l tions.. At approximately 0050, 13 Company D LAVs
tions
targets," including the
targets, including the PDF,
PDF, thethe traffic
traffic police,
police, anandd moved out,
moved out, loaded
loaded with
with the
the scout
scout platoon,
platoon, unde
underr
the Dignity
Dignity Battalions.73
Battalions . 73 Sergeant Thomas P. Bernius, and 17 17 FAST
FAST Marines
Marines..
When Major Robert B B.. Neller, commander of the As the LAVs approached
approached DNTT
DNTT Station
Station NoNo.. 2,
2, th
thee
security
security force since August 1988,
force since August 1988, briefed
briefed his his PDF opened
opened fire
fire with
with small
small arms
arms from
from nearby
nearby
Marines, he spoke for many other Marine com- bunkers.. While 1st Platoon proceeded towards it
bunkers itss
manders when he said that this was the moment ooff objective at Arraijan despite the fire, 3d
objective at Arraijan despite the fire, 3d platoo n platoon
truth, one for which many of them had been wait- turned its attention on the station.
station . With
With rounds
ing. HeHe told
told his
his Marines
Marines that that itit was
was allall right
right to
to bbee pinging off their armor, three of its LAVsLAVs burst
burst int
intoo
scared; was normal
scared ; that was normal.. All they
they had had to
to dodo was
was to to the Station compound, firing their M-60
the station compound, firing their M-60 coaxia l coaxial
do their jobs
do their jobs andand take
take care
care ofof each
each other
other.. Th Thee machine guns
guns;; they
they did
did not
not fire
fire their
their main
main guns
guns in in
Marines were
Marines were quiet
quiet andand serious;
serious; therethere waswas no no order to limit
limit collateral
collateral damage
damage.. Two Two of of the
the vehi-
vehi-
cheering.. But
cheering But there
there was
was commitment. For exam- cles stopped about 20 meters from the station an andd
ple, three
ple, three Marines
Marines whowho hadhad already
already checked
checked out out ooff continued to to fire
fire while
while Sergeant
Sergeant Bernius
Berniusand and aa
the command
the command and and were
were waiting
waiting to to fly
fly home
home quiet-
quiet- squad of scouts under Corporal Garreth C. C .Isaak
Isaak
1)1drew
ly drewtheir
theirweapons
weapons and and went back back to to work.74
work . 74 dismounted and ran up up to
to the
the building
building.. Bernius
Bernius

22
and Isaak
and Isaak forced
forced the the front
front door
door openopen with with buck
buck-- When consulted, the Marine command's opera-
shot rounds from M-203
shot M-203 grenade
grenadelaunchers.75
launchers . 7 5 tions officer,
tions officer, Lieutenant Colonel Franks, consistent consistent--
Once inside
Once inside the the dimly
dimly lit
lit building,
building, the the Marine
Mariness ly made
ly made itit clear
clear that
that thethe commander's
commander's intent intent wa wass
faced a confusing tableau of muzzle muzzle flashesflashes andand ricnc-- to limit
to limit collateral
collateral damage,
damage, but but only
only to to the
the exten
extentt
ochets. They could
ochets . They could hearhear the
the rounds
rounds strike strike the th e possible,
possible, and and certainly
certainly not not at at the
the cost
cost of of any
an y
walls, and they
walls, and they defended
defended themselves
themselves by by firing
firing iin n Marine's life.76
Marine's life . "
the direction
direction of of the
the flashes
flashes.. Working their way While moving west
While moving west on on thethe Pan-America
Pan-Americann
down the central passageway, they proceeded proceeded ttoo Highway, 1st
Highway, 1st Platoon
Platoon (Reinforced),
(Reinforced), the the platoon that
clear the rooms
clear the rooms that that opened
opened fromfrom itit.. WhenWhen the theyy had not
had not stopped
stopped to to neutralize
neutralize the the DNTT
DNTT Station Station,,
reached the end of of the
the passageway,
passageway, aa PDF PDF soldie
soldierr encountered aa roadblock
encountered roadblock outside outside Arraijan
Arraijan aatt
ran into one of the rooms and closed the door. door . approximately 0120
approximately 0120.. The Theroadblock
roadblock was was built
built
During a lull in the firing, firing, Corporal
Corporal Isaak Isaak kicke
kickedd around two
around two gasoline
gasoline tank tank trucks
trucks.. Captain Gaskin Gaskinss
the door open
the door open and, and, firing
firing his
his weapon,
weapon, started started intintoo stopped his
stopped his LAVs
LAVs about about 1,500 1,500 meters
meters from from th thee
the room
room.. He was hit while still in the
was hit while still in the doorway, doorway, roadblock in
roadblock in order
order to to guard
guard against
against aa possible
possible rockrock--
and fell back into the passageway. passageway. In Inthe
the next
next et-propelled grenade
et-propelled grenadeattack attack.. TheThe scouts
scouts deploye
deployed d
instant, one of the other Marines fired bucksho buckshott to reconnoiter,
to reconnoiter, and and reported
reported that that there
there were
were 20 20 ttoo
into
into the
the room,
room, and, and, seconds
seconds later,
later, yet yet another
anothe r 30 armed
armed personnel
personnel around around the the tankers.
tankers . In In the
Marine fired his squad's automatic weapon in the meantime, 3d
meantime, 3d Platoon
Platoon arrived
arrived and and established
established aan n
same
same direction.
direction . Then ThenSergeant
SergeantBernius Berniusordereorderedd overwatch position,
overwatch position, while
while FAST FAST Marines
Marines provide
provided d
one of his men to throw a grenade into the room room.. forward, rear,
forward, rear, and
and flank
flanksecurity.
security. Gaskins
Gaskins hesitated
hesitated
The scouts were
The scouts were under under orders
orders to to use
use grenade
grenadess to fire
to fire on
on the
the tankers
tankers because of the potentiall potentiallyy
sparingly as
sparingly as another
another part part of
of the
the effort
effort to to limit
limit col-
col - disastrous consequences
disastrous consequences but, but, at at 0210,
0210, decided
decided tha thatt
lateral damage
damage.. Finally,Finally,he heordered
ordered the the squad
squad ttoo he had little
he had little choicechoice. . He requested
requested permission
permission tto
o
carry Corporal
carry Corporal Isaak Isaak outside
outside.. They
They left left Isaak,
Isaak, wh who o do so from Marine Force Panama Panama.. LieutenanLieutenantt
probably had already died, with with the the corpsman
corpsman oonn Colonel Franks, monitoring
Colonel Franks, monitoring radios radios in in the
the opera-
opera-
the logistics
the logistics LAV, LAY, and and continued
continued on on toward
towardss tions section, gave him that permission. permission . The The
Arraijan
Arraijan in in accordance
accordance with with theirtheir orders
orders fromfro m tankers turned out to be empty,
tankers turned out to be empty, and the round s and the rounds
Captain Gaskins
Captain Gaskins to to spend
spend no no more
more than than 10 10 min-
min- from the
from the armored
armored vehicles'
vehicles' main main guns
guns disperse
dispersedd
utes at
utes at the
the station
station.. A A few minutes later, later, aa team
team ooff the opposition
oppositionwithoutwithoutincident.77
incident ."
four Marines
four Marines from from Company
Company D D Headquarters
Headquarters agai againn Within minutes,
Within minutes, 1st 1st Platoon
Platoon arrived
arrived at at its
its nex
nextt
swept through
swept through the the DNTT
DNTF Station.
Station . In Inthe
the room
room target,
target, the
the PDF
PDF substation
substation in in Arraijan.
Arraijan . Fiftee Fifteenn
where Corporal
where Corporal Isaak Isaak waswas hit,
hit, they
theyfoundfoundaasevere-
severe- scouts
scouts dismounted
dismounted and and took
took cover
cover against
againstthe thewall
wal l
ly wounded
ly wounded PDF PDF soldier,
soldier, whowho reached
reached for for hi hiss surrounding the the small
small two-story
two-story building
building.. Finding
weapon when
weapon when he he saw
saw the
the Marines
Marines.. One of the cov- cov- both the wall and the building impervious to smal smalll
ering Marines
Marines shot shot andand killed
killed him him.. They
They cleared
cleared arms fire, they pulled back, and permitted the vehi vehi--
the rest of the building without incident. incident .The The final
final cles' main
main gunsguns to to create
create openings
openings for for them
them.. TheTh e
toll for
for the
the operation
operation againstagainst the
the station
station was was on onee scouts
scouts ranran through
through the the openings,
openings, and, and, learnin
learningg
Marine killed and one wounded wounded.. One Panamanian from Corporal Isaak's experience, experience, used used fragmenta-
fragmenta-
was killed,
was killed, another
another wounded,
wounded, and and three
three wer weree tion grenades
grenades to secure the building, which ulti-
detained.
detained . For For thethe Marines,
Marines, it it was
was the the single mos mostt mately burst into flames. flames . Within
Within the the hour,
hour, itit was
was lit-
lit-
costly engagement during Just Cause; Cause ; Corporal
Corporal tle more
more than
thanaasmoking
smokingruin.78 ruin . 7N
Isaak was the only Marine killed in Panama Panama duringduring Meanwhile, Marines Marines of of 3d
3d Platoon
Platoon proceeded
proceeded ttoo
the fighting.
fighting . another target
another target in in Arraijan,
Arraijan, the the local
local headquarters
headquartersooff
Corporal Isaak's
Isaak's death
death brought
brought home home the the seri-
seri- Noriega's political
Noriega's political party
party.. They,
They, too,too, found
found itit diffi-
diffi-
ousness of the enterprise to the LA! LAI Marines, virtu virtu-- cult to
cult to force
force entry.
entry. All Allthethe doors
doors and and windows
ally all
ally all of
of whom
whom learned learned of of itit within
within minutes
minutes.. were protected by grillwork that was locked into int o
Henceforth, they
Henceforth, they werewere more
more conscious
consciousof ofthei
theirr place.. The situation
place situation called
called for for aa different
different methomethod d
security. The
security. The LAVs
LAYs buttoned
buttoned up, up, with
with only
only thethe dri-
dri- of operations
of operations.. During the attack on the PDF sub-
ver and
ver and the
the vehicle
vehicle commander
commander exposed, exposed, and and th thee station, Captain Gaskins
Gaskins had had persuaded
persuaded Lieutenant
Lieutenant
vehicles ran
vehicles ran with
with blackout
blackoutlights
lights.. There
There was also Colonel
Colonel Franks to allow him to use the FAST
Franks to allow him to use the FAS T
less of
less of an
an inclination
inclination to to err
err on
on the
the side
side of of restraint
restraint.. Marines, who had been following
Marines, who had been following in trace an in trace andd

23
23
 orange
orange and
and frill
full of
of flames. TheMarines
flames. The Marines quickly
quickly go
gott
were specialists in forcible
forcible entry
entry techniques
techniques.. They The y barbed
barbed wire
wire in
in place
placeand
andthe
theU.S.
U.S .Army
Armyengineers
engineers . . .
now advanced
now advanced on on thethe building
building.. While Whilethe the LA
LAII moved their large
moved their large earth
earth movers
movers into
into position
position to
to com-
com-
Marines and the LAVs provided perimeter security,
Marines close off
pletely close
pletely off the highway . . . . [W]ithin
the highway [W]ithin minutes the
minutes th e
the FAST
the FAST Marines
Marines used used shotguns
shotguns to to break
break th thee Bridge of the Americas was secure
secure . . . .
locks, and
locks, and then
then warned
warned the the occupants
occupants of of the
the build-
build- The Marines and engineers on the bridge had a
ing in
ing in Spanish
Spanish.. Seconds
Secondslater,
later,they
theythrew
threw aa stun
stun ringside seat
seat for
for the
the fighting
fighting to to their
their front,
front, butbut,,
grenade through
grenade through the the door,
door, andand thenthen entered
entered.. A A apart
apart from hundreds, and
from hundreds, and later
later thousands,
thousands, ooff
Panamanian, visibly
Panamanian, visibly shaken
shaken by by the
the effects
effects of of th
thee Panamanians who who wanted
wanted to to leave
leave the the city
city oonn
grenade but
grenade but otherwise
otherwise uninjured,
uninjured, staggered Out ou t account of the fighting,
fighting, no no one
one challenged
challenged th thee
into the night
into night air.
air . The
The FAST
FAST Marines proceeded to to detachment's right to the bridge.8' bridge ." '
secure the
secure the building
building without
without causing
causing any any casualties
casualties,, Some
Some of of the
the firing
firing which
which the the support
support grou groupp
thereby proving
thereby proving the
the value
value ofof their
their extensive
extensive train-
train- Marines heardheard and and sawsaw was was initiated
initiated by by thei
theirr
ing in
ing in close-quarter
close-quarter battlebattle techniques
techniques.. As a result, result , brother Marines in the four LAVs detached to Task Tas k
they now
they now became
became the the recognized
recognized "indoor"
"indoor" special-
special- Force Gator. The LAJ LAI Marines were providing providing cov- cov-
ists, which
which meant
meant that
that Gaskins
Gaskins and and other
other comman
comman-- ering fire for the Army
ering fire for the Army assault on th assault on thee
ders began to use them as the weapon of choic choicee Commandancia. They fired more
Commandancia . They fired more than one hun- than one hun-
for clearing buildings.79
clearing buildings . " dred 25mm
dred 25mm rounds rounds with with pinpoint
pinpoint accuracaccuracyy
Shortly after 0400, its targets targets having
having bee beenn through specific
through specific windows
windows in in the
the large building,
building ,
secured, the company almost literally circled th thee while AC-130
while AC-130 Specter
Specter gunships
gunshipsfired firedatatititfrom
fromththe e
wagons to rest before proceeding around 0730 ttoo air with 105mm
air 105mm cannoncannon and andGatling
Gatlingguns.82
guns . H 2
search
search the the homes
homes of of Rigoberto
Rigoberto Paredes Paredes an andd While most of the MarinesMarines in in Panama
Panama spentspent th thee
Lieutenant Reuben Dario Serrano, both prominen prominentt night on
night on the
the move,
move, one one detachment
detachment of of Marines
Marines iin n
Noriega supporters
supporters.. Not Not surprisingly, neither wa
surprisingly, neither wass the capital
the capital had
had asas its
its mission
mission to to stay
stayput put.. The eight-
eight-
home.8°
home ."° man Marine Security Guard Detachment under unde r
By dawn
dawn on on 20
20 December,
December, it it was
was clear
clear that
that the
the Staff Sergeant
Staff SergeantMichael
MichaelSS. Pellowatatthe
. Pellow theAmerica
American n
Marine units
Marine units were
were accomplishing
accomplishing their their principa
principall Embassy withstood
withstood aa kindkind of of siege
siege during
during thethe early
early
mission, that
mission, that of
of blocking
blocking the the western
western approache
approachess morning hours
hours of of 2020 December
December with little assis-
to the
to the capital
capital.. As AsearlyearlyasasH-Hour
H-Hour itself,
itself, 0100
0100,, tance or
or support.
support .The TheFAST
FAST detachment
detachment which ha hadd
Marine Security
Marine Security Force
Force elements
elements had had setset up
up th
thee prepared to reinforce the Marines inside the th e
roadblock between
roadblock between the the tank
tank farm and Arraijan wit withh embassy was busy elsewhere, and the only sem-
the help
the help ofof Army
Army engineers,
engineers, who provided earth- blance ofof support
support from
from fellow
fellow Marines
Marines came came frofrom m
moving equipment
moving equipment to to place
place in in the
the roadway.
roadway. two of the four LAVs
two LAYs attached to Task Force Force Gator,
Gator,
Security Force
Security Force Marines
Marines had had also
also assumed
assumed the the mis-
mis- positioned on
positioned on the
the streets
streets nearnear thethe embassy
embassy afte afterr
sion of
sion of providing
providing security
security in in the
the fuel
fuel storage
storage facili-
facili- supporting the
supporting the attack
attack on on the
the Commandancia
Commandancia Bu Butt
ty from
ty from Company
Company K, K, which
which hadhad begun
begun its its deploy-
deploy- the presence
the presence of of the
the LAV
LAy detachment
detachment did did not
not mak
make e
ment
ment to to positions
positions further
further west
west.. A A contingency
contingency much of
much of aa difference
difference to to Pellow's
Pellow's Marines,
Marines, whos whosee
platoon fromfrom the
the Marine
Marine Force's
Force's command
command ele- ele- posts were
posts were inside
inside thethe embassy
embassy compound
compound.. For all
ment had secured the northern roadblock, locate locatedd intents and
intents and purposes,
purposes, they they werewere on on their
their ownown
north of of Rodman
Rodman near near Miraflores
Miraflores Lock Lock on on th
thee throughout the
throughout thenight.83
night . 8 3
Canal. The support
Canal . The support group
group detachment,
detachment, which wa wass From 0030
0030 on, on, they
they could
could hearhear firing,
firing, and,
and, aatt
organized into a small small task
task force
force of of 2525 Marine
Mariness times, seesee PDF
PDF soldiers
soldiers run run byby thethe posts
posts in in the
the
reinforced by by Army
Army engineers,
engineers, had had secured
secured th thee embassy. Pellow ordered
embassy. Pellow ordered his his Marines
Marines not not to
to fire
fire aatt
Bridge of
Bridge of the
the Americas
Americasby by0106
0106.. TheThe detachmen
detachmentt the passing targets, certainly a prudent decision, decision ,
commander, Captain William
commander, "Scott" Aitken
William SS.. "Scott" Aitken,, since the PDF showed little interest in the embassy embass y
described the seizure in graphic terms
described terms:: before
before 0122,0122, when when three threerocket-propelle
rocket-propelledd
grenades (RPGs),
grenades (RPGs), firedfired from
from aaposition
positionininfront frontooff
H-Hour came
H-Hour came .. . . .The
. The skies were filled with Army
Army the embassy, struck
the embassy, struckthe thecompound
compound. When th
. When thee
helicopters heading
helicopters heading toward toward Panama
Panama City
City and
and the
the soun
sound d
of AC-130
of AC-130 gunships
gunships pounding
pounding the
the PDF
PDF headquarters
headquarters . . . .
impact occurred,
impact occurred, Pellow
Pellow was was reporting
reporting by by tele-
tele-
As the [BSSG]
As the [BSSG] convoy
convoy approached
approached the the bridge,
bridge, itit wa
wass phone to
phone to his
his company
company commander
commander in in Miami,
Miami, an andd
exposed to
exposed to firing
firing ..... . [From]
[From] across
across the canal.
canal . Fortunately had to
had to cut
cut the
the conversation
conversation short short.. Believing
Believing tha thatt
the firing
the firingwas
wasnot notaccurate
accurate. .... [By now] the
. . . [By the sky
sky was
was his Marines
his Marines werewere about
about to to make
make aa last last stand,
stand, thethe

24
company commander
company commander told told Pellow
Pellow to to "take
"take as as man
manyy the mission
mission for
for most
most Marines,
Marines, therethere was
was relativel
relatively y
of them
of them as as you
you can
can with
withyouyou." Pellow ordered
." Pellow ordered his his little change
little change in in the
the day-to-day
day-to-day routineroutine for for ththee
Marines to
Marines to load
load solid
solid shot
shot in
in their
their shotguns,
shotguns, and and tto
o Marines of Company K.
Marines K . ItItwas,
was,again,
again, the
the luck
luck ooff
fire
fire atat anyone
anyone carrying
carrying an RPG. RPG . (It It was
was no nott the draw. The company's missions, those of secur-
the
Pellow's decision
Pellow's decision to to arm
arm hishis Marines
Marines with shot- shot - ing Veracruz
ing Veracruz and and protecting
protecting the the western
western flank
flank ooff
guns. StateDepartment
guns . State Departmentpolicy policy determined
determined the the Howard Air
Howard Air Force
Force Base,
Base, took
took them
them to to aa ramshackle
ramshackle
table of equipment for Marine
table MarineSecurity
SecurityGuar Guard d seaside community and and aa string
string of of hills
hills covere
coveredd
detachments.)
detachments Theydid
.) They didnotnotacquire
acquireany any target
targetss with jungle
with jungle which
which stretched
stretched in in aa five
five kilometer
kilometer ar arcc
before the next salvo
before salvo of
of three
three RPGs,
RPGs, this
this time
time fire
firedd from Sierra
from Sierra Minon
Minon to to Cerro
Cerro Galera
Galera.. For the average
from aa position
from position behind
behind thethe embassy,
embassy, struck
struck abou
aboutt Marine, duty
Marine, duty inin those
those hills
hills was
was notnot much
much differen
differentt
one hour later. Their
one Theironly
onlypotential
potentialtarget
target waswas a from duty
from duty in
in the
the tank
tank farm
farm or or ammunition
ammunition suppl supplyy
PDF officer
PDF officer with
with aa radio
radio that
that one
one ofof the
the Marine
Mariness point..
point
spotted near the front gate
spotted gate.. To make sure that the th e The 2d
The 2d Platoon,
Platoon, under under Second
Second Lieutenan
Lieutenantt
officer did
officer did not
not order
order another attack, possibly by by Jeffrey RR.. Chessani,
Jeffrey Chessani, received
received thethe most
most challengin
challengingg
infantry, Pellow ordered his Marines to
infantry, Pellow ordered his Marines to fire tear ga sfire tear gas assignment, that of
assignment, that of securing
securing Veracruz
Veracruz.. As As his
his pla-
at the
the officer.
officer. He He was
was "dusted"
"dusted" withwith aa generou
generouss toon approached in
toon approached in the
the town,
town, thethe night
night seemed
seemed ssoo
dose.
dose. Later, they fired more rounds of tear gas at a unnaturally quiet that
unnaturally quiet that Chessani
Chessani wondered
wondered ifif hhee
park across the street which the PDF could hav havee was leading
was leading hishis Marines
Marines into into an an ambush
ambush.. At At
used to stage troops for an assault. But
used to stage troops for an assault . But there wa there wass approximately 0140, 0140, whenwhen theythey arrived
arrived at at thei
theirr
no assault and, when morning came,
no assault and, when morning came, the Marine s the Marines first objective, the Panamanian Defense Force sta-
were exhausted
exhausted but but uninjured
uninjured and,and, in
in atat least
least on
onee tion in
inVeracruz,
Veracruz, there
there waswas nono one
one toto be
be found.
found . The
Th e
case, covered with with dust
dust from
from aa wall
wall hit
hit byby anan RP
RPG G station was strewn with clothing, equipment, equipment, an andd
round.. Looking back on
round on their
their performance
performance after after documents of all kinds, including
including passports,
passports, sho shott
the fact,
the fact, General
General Thurman
Thurman commented
commented that that aann records, school
school certificates,
certificates, and and check
check books
books..
infantry company
infantry company of of lesser
lesser men
men could
could not not have
hav e There was even a half-eaten meal, meal, further
further proof
proof
done as wellwell as
as the
the eight
eightembassy
embassyMarines.84
Marines . " that the occupants had left in
that the occupants had left in a hurry a hurry. . After
After secur-
secur-
While the
While the order
order toto execute
execute JustJustCause
Causechanged
changed ing the
ing the station,
station, the
the platoon
platoon withdrew
withdrew from from th thee
Sgt
Sgt George
George Gamma,
Gamma, aa Marine sn4ier, lays
Marine sniper, lays down
down protective
protective fire
fire on
on the
the entrance
entrance toto
the Panamanian
the Panamanian Defense
Defense Force
Force regional
regional headquarters
headquartersatatLa
LaChorrera
Chorreraininprepara-
prepara-
tion for the Marine assault on the compound.
tion
Photo by
Photo by Sgt
Sgt Robert
Robert c.Jcnks
CJenks

25
25
town to establish a blocking position and to patrol Captain Hurt proceeded
Captain Hurt proceeded to
to reconnoiter
reconnoiter in
in th
thee
the area.85
the area . 8 5 vicinity of
vicinity of the
the objective,
objective, which
which was was aa block-lon
block-longg
In the
the meantime,
meantime, 1st
1st and
and 3d
3d Platoons
Platoonsmove
moved d compound of four large buildings surrounded by aa
into their blocking
blocking positions
positions in
in the
the nearby
nearby hills
hills,, six foot concrete
six foot concrete wall wall studded
studded with with firing
firing ports
ports..
where they established patrol bases.
bases. They began a With the
With the objective
objective in in sight,
sight, Hurt
Hurt began
began to to take
take fire
fire..
routine that
routine that would
would vary
vary little
little for
for the
the duration
duration ooff "You could see the tracers tracers come
come up up.. In a chopper,
the operation
the operation.. Between daybreak on on 20
20 Decembe
Decemberr you don't
you don't hear
hear the the guns
guns;; butbut youyou [do]
[do] hear
hear th thee
1989 and 5 January
January 1990,
1990, they
they spent
spent most
most of
ofthei
theirr crack of
crack of the
the bullets
bullets coming
coming by by your
your aircraft
aircraft.. IItt
time quietly patrolling, setting practice ambushes
ambushes,, sounds just
sounds just like
like when
when youyou pull puli butts
butts atat the
the rifl
riflee
searching farms, and detaining suspects
suspects.. Although
Althoug h range."
range Impressedby
." Impressed bythe
thevolume
volumeof offire,
fire, and
and wor-
wor-
they received fire from time to time, they them- them - ried that
ried that the
the small
small Marine
Marine task
task force
force would
would be be out
out--
selves did not return fire, either because they di didd numbered and
numbered and outgunned,
outgunned,CaptainCaptainHurt Hurtrequeste
requested d
not have a definite target or because they they coul
couldd close air
close air support for the impending assault from from
not fire
fire without
without running
running the
the risk
risk ofof hitting
hitting nearby
nearby Marine Forces Panama, which decided that the risk risk
civilians."
civilians ." of collateral
of collateral damagedamage was was small
small and and passed
passed th thee
request on on totoJTF
JTF South
South for action.
action . Despite
Despite his ini-
La Chorrera tial opposition to running a close close air
air mission
mission in in a
built-up area, General Stiner himself approved th thee
Early on
Early on the
the morning of 20 December, Marin Marinee request.
request . Within
Within the the hour, three aircraft were on sta sta--
Forces Panama
Forces Panama received
received aa verbal
verbal order
order from
from JT JTF F tion, one OA-37 Dragonfly Dragonfly to to mark
mark the
the target
target anand d
South to
South to assault
assault and
and secure
secure the
the headquarters
headquartersof ofththee two Virginia National Guard A-7 Corsairs to attac attackk
10th Military
Military Zone
Zone in in La
LaChorrera—Panama's
Chorrera–Panama's thir thirdd it.. Captain Hurt controlled the mission
it mission.. After th thee
largest city with a population
population of of 80,000
80,000.. It It was
was aan n Dragonfly had fired a white
Dragonfly had fired a white phosphorous rocke tphosphorous rocket
unexpected mission
mission thatthat would
would take
take Marine
Marine unit unitss into the
into the compound,
compound, the the A-7's
A-7s stitched the target
west of their originally assigned area of operations. operations . with 20mm cannon
with 20mm cannon fire without fire without damaging
damaging an anyy
Nevertheless, it was also a logical objective for th thee buildings outside its
buildings outside its walls . walls.89 89
Marines since itit was was the
the headquarters
headquarters for for most
mostooff Seconds after
Seconds after the last
last cannon
cannon roundround struck
struck th thee
the PDF units in in that
that area
area.. Colonel
ColonelRichardson
Richardson compound, Captain Hurt cleared the company tto
compound, Captain Hurt cleared the company o
decided to assign the mission to Company D an
decided andd assault from the position it had assumed som somee
its attachments
its attachments from from the
the FAST
FASTPlatoon.87
Platoon .87 2,000 meters
2,000 meters from from thethe objective
objective.. Literally
Literally before
before
At 1530, the
At 1530, the company
company proceeded
proceeded west west on on ththee the smoke had had cleared,
cleared, the
the LAVs
LAVs passed
passed throug
throughh
Pan-American Highway
Pan-American Highway. Ten minutesminutes later,
later, Captai
Captain n the main
main entrance
entrance of of the
the compound,
compound, firing firing thei
theirr
John E
John E.. Hurt, an F-18 pilotpilot serving
serving asas aerial
aerialobserv-
observ- main
main guns guns.. TheThe remnants
remnants of of the PDF garrison,
garrison ,
er, launched
launched in in an
an Army
Army OH-58
OH-58 Kiowa
Kiowahelicopter
helicopteriin n reported to
reported to have
have beenbeen 265 265 strong
strong on on 110 0
support of the operation
operation.. At 1547, the company
At 1547, the company December, fled
December, fled inin disarray
disarray. The Theonly
onlyopposition
opposition
encountered aa roadblock
encountered roadblock builtbuilt around
around aa number
number ooff came from
came from aa few few snipers
snipers whowho continued
continued to to fir
firee
buses.
buses . The
The LAVs began to take small small arms
arms fire
fire fro
from m while FAST Marines Marines and and LAI
LA! scouts
scouts cleared
cleared th thee
the roadblock and the adjoining hill hill.. Only
Only after the
after the buildings, which
buildings, which caughtcaught fire
fire.. Black
Blacksmoke
smoke bil-bil-
volume of fire increased did the crew members member s lowed through
lowed through the compound
compound.. Within Within 10 minutes
10 minutes
realize whatwhat waswashappening
happening; the noise
; the noise of of their
their it was
was secure
secure.. The MarinesMarines seized seized aa quantity
quantity ooff
vehicles and the dampening effect of
vehicles and the dampening effect of their helmet s their helmets weapons and and documents,
documents, and and then
then returned
returned ttoo
made it nearly impossible to hear anything else. else .To To Arraijan with
Arraijan with their
their booty
booty sincesince they
they were
were no nott
them itit sounded
sounded likelike someone
someone beating
beating on on aa tin
tin ca
cann strong
strong enoughenough to to maintain
maintain aa presence
presence in in LLaa
far away
far away. At that point, Captain Gaskins ordered hi hiss Chorrera and accomplish their their original
original mission.9°
mission ."
lead elements
elements to to assault
assault the
the roadblock
roadblock.. LedLed by by two
two
LAVs rolling side by side at speed and
LAVs rolling side by side at speed and firing thei r firing their PDF Prisoners
main guns, the assault was over almost as soon aass
it began
began.. Shocked by the light armored attack, the th e The Marine
Marine command's
command's orders
orders for
for D-Day
D-Day plus
plus 11,,
owners
owners of of the
the buses,
buses, which
which belonged
belonged to to privat
privatee 21 December,
21 December, were
were to avoid decisive engagements
engagements,,
companies, took took fright
fright and
and drove away . 8 8
droveaway88 since the focus of effort was going to other units.
since units .
While the LAVs dealt
While the LAVs dealt with the with the roadblock,
roadblock, Nevertheless, there was pressing work. Byth
work . By thee

26
26
 Photo by
Photo by Sgt
Sgt Robert
Robert C
C.. jenks
Jenk s

After Marine
After Marine LAVs
LA Vsentered
enteredthe
theLa
La Chorrera
Chorrera compound,
compound, LAI
LAI scouts
scouts prepared
prepared ttoo
assault and clear the reported 265-man-strong PDF garrison.
garrison .
As thick black
As thick black smoke
smoke billows
billows from
from the
the com-
com- early evening of 20 December, the command had
early
pound's main
pound's main building,
building,Marine
Marinescouts
scoutswait
waitfoforr learned that
learned that aa crowd
crowd of of 200
200 to
to 300
300 Panamanians
Panamanians
the final
the final go-head
go-head toto assault. Overcoming spo-
assault. Overcoming spo- was looting
was looting andand burning
burning buildings
buildings inin Arraijan
Arraijan.. IItt
radic sniper fire, they secured the building with-
they secured the building with- was for
was for that
that reason
reason that
that the
the command's
command's missionmissionss
in minutes.
in minutes. for 21
for 21 December
December were were toto stabilize
stabilize Arraijan,
Arraijan,captur
capture e
Photo by Sgt Robert
Robert C
C.Jenks
. Jenks any PDF
any PDF and and Dignity
Dignity Battalion
Battalion personnel
personnel who wh o
were still
were still at
at large,
large, andand expand
expand itsits sphere
sphere ofof contro
controll
to the
to the nearby
nearby townstowns of of Nuevo
Nuevo Arraijan
Arraijan andand Vist
Vistaa
Allegre.
Allegre .
The command
The command looked first first toto Company
Company D D,,
already deployed
already deployed aroundaround Arraijan
Arraijan and
and able
able to
to fiel
fieldd
urban security
urban security patrols
patrols onon short
short notice,
notice, and
and then
then ttoo
a provisional rifle rifle platoon
platoon which
which arrived
arrived aa dayday
later.
later . Late
Late inin the
the morning
morning on
on the
the 21st,
21st, Marine
Marine
Forces Panama received an unexpected windfall
Forces
that helped
that helped to to accomplish
accomplishits itsnew
newmission
mission. . A A
Panamanian lieutenant by
Panamanian lieutenant bythe
thename
nameofofLt LtDanil
Danioo
Gallardo surrendered
surrendered to to Security
Security Force
Force Marines
Marines aatt
the western roadblock near near Arraijan,
Arraijan, andand said
said tha
thatt
his men
men were
were ready
ready toto surrender
surrender if if promised
promised googoodd
treatment.
treatment . After
After receiving
receiving that assurance, Gallardo
kept his word, and, and, over
over the
the next
next two
two days,
days, helpe
helped d
to arrange the
to arrange the surrender
surrender of of more
more thanthan 40 4000
Panamanian
Panamaniansoldierssoldiers919 1
Much the same scenario occurred in
Much in Veracruz
Veracruz..

27
27


4ACI

,.1w

—C

C— a

Photo by
Photo by Sgt
Sgt Robert
Robert C
C.Jenks
. Jenks
A FAST company Marine
Marine escorts
escorts one
one of
of the
the many
many detainees
detainees seized
seized during
during the
the firs
firstt
hours of Operation Just Cause.
Cause .

Several of
Several of the
the more
more than
than400
400Panamanian
Panamaniansoldiers
soldierswho
whosurrendered
surrenderedatatArraija
Arraian n
board school
board school buses
buses which
which would
would take
take them
them to
to the
the Marine
Marine holding
holding facility
facility aatt
Rodinan.
Rodman. Photo by
Photo by Sgt
Sgt Robert
Robert CC.Jenks
. Jenk s

a,
— -J-

28
28
On 22 December, Company K Marines returned ttoo
the center of that town to deter snipers and loot- loot-
ers,
ers, and
and soon accepted the
soon accepted the surrender
surrender of of 53
53 PDF
PD F
soldiers. The Marines
soldiers . The Marines decided
decided to to use
use aa number
number ooff
the former
the former soldiers
soldiers to to guide
guide security
security patrols
patrols thathatt
the Marine
the Marine command
command had had ordered
ordered for for Veracruz
Veracruz iin n
addition to
addition toArraijan
Arraijan.. Since
Since all
all of
of these
these guides had
local ties,
local ties, the
the theory
theory was was that
that they
they would
wouldfeel feel aa
sense of
sense of responsibility
responsibility for for their
their hometowns
hometowns..
Company K
Company K also
also enlisted
enlisted the the services
services of of the
the
woman who had been elected
woman who had been elected mayor but denie dmayor but denied
office by the Noriega regime regime.. She Shehelped
helped the the
Marines with the restoration of
Marines with the restoration of city services , city services,
including the distribution of food and water, which
had been cut off since 20 December, an unintend-
ed side-effect
side-effect ofof the
the Marine
Marineroadblocks.92
roadblocks . 92
After hearing
After hearing reports
reports of of aa rally
rally by by 500
500 Dignit
Dignity y
Battalion members in La Chorrera on the mornin morningg
of 22 December, and being directed by JTF Sout Southh
to maintain aa presence
to maintain presence in in the
the city,city,Colone
Colonell
Richardson
Richardson and and hishis staff
staff made
made preparations
preparations ttoo
deploy their
their newly
newly arrived
arrived reinforcements
reinforcements to to LLaa
Chorrera.
Chorrera . The Thereinforcements
reinforcementswere were the the long
long--
promised soldiers
promised soldiers of of the
the 2d2d Battalion,
Battalion, 27th 27th
Regiment, 7th Infantry DivisionDivision (Light)
(Light).. To prepare
for the
for the deployment,
deployment, Colonel Colonel Richardson
Richardson and and
Lieutenant Colonel Franks reconnoitered
reconnoitered by by air.
air .As
As
they flew over the area by helicopter,helicopter, they they scat-
scat-
tered surrender leaflets, which worked worked far far better
than anyone had imagined.
than anyone had imagined . Even before th Even before thee
deployment of the Army battalion, 75 PDF soldier soldierss
decided to surrender in La Chorrerra,Chorrerra, and and the
the LAI
LAI
Photo by
Photo by Sgt
Sgt Robert
RobertCC.Jenks
. Jenk s
Marines had to make another trip trip toto escort
escort thethemm
to the
An exhausted
An exhausted Marine
Marine breaks
breaks for
for chow
chow after
after lon
long
g
the closest
closestdetention
detentioncenter.93
center. 93
The final
The fmal event
event of of the
the day
day waswas thethe insertion
insertion ooff hours of confronting,
hours of confronting, detaining,
detaining, and
and then
then pro-
pro-
the first wave of the 2d Battalion,Battalion, 27th 27th Infantr
Infantryy cessing large numbers of looters in the port
cessing large numbers of looters in the port ofof
Vaca Monte.
into LaLa Chorrera
Chorrera by by helicopter,
helicopter, which which was was com-
com-
pleted during
pleted during the
the early
early morning
morning hours hours of of 2233 bers, about 25
bers, about 25 percent
percent of
of the
the total
total numbe
numberr
December.
December. The Thebattalion
battalionimmediately
immediatelyswep sweptt detained by the American joint joint task
task force
force.. The rou-
through the city from southwest to northeast, dri- tine was for the unit that captured a detainee to
ving aa number
ving number ofof Panamanian
Panamanian soldiers
soldiers towards
towards th thee send him
him toto aa forward
forward collection
collection point,
point, such
such as
as th
thee
LAI and FASTFAST Marines'
Marines positions
positions screening
screening the the cit
cityy one in Arraijan Literallyhundreds
Arraijan.. Literally hundreds of of detainee
detaineess
to the east.
east . During
During thethe days that followed, the bat- poured into that
poured into that site,
site, which
which after
after 22 Decemberr
22 Decembe
talion, like its Marine
Marine counterparts,
counterparts, spent spent much
muchooff was under the control of
was under the control of the U .Sthe U.S. . Armys
Army's 534th
its time capturing and guarding PDF soldiers soldiers wh whoo Military Police Company, 16th Military
Military Police Company, 16th Military Polic e Police
had evaded
evaded thethefirst
firstsweep.94
sweep . " Brigade.
Brigade Workingwith
. Working withthe
theMarines,
Marines, thethe militar
military y
The detainees absorbed a great deal of time an andd police searched, tagged, and
police searched, tagged, and processed th eprocessed the
effort. By the time Just
effort . By the time Just Cause Cause ended a few days
day s detainees before evacuating them to the Marine
detainees Marine
later, the Marine command, numbering about four holding facility at Rodman
Rodman.'5 .JS
percent of the American forces, had captured some At the facility, which was little more more than
than aa soft-
soft-
1,320 Defense
1,320 Defense Force
Force and and Dignity
Dignity Battalion
Battalion mem mem-- ball field
ball field with
with aa few tents and portable toilets sur- sur-

29
29
rounded by
rounded by barbed
barbed wire wire and
and guard
guard towers,
towers, ther
theree Richardson not
Richardson not only
only agreed
agreed to to detach
detach aa number
number ooff
was further processing.
processing . BetweenBetween20 20Decembe
Decemberr Security Force MarinesMarines for for the
the operation,
operation, but but als
alsoo
and 55 January,
and January, more more thanthan 2,000
2,000 Panamanian
Panamanianss put Neller
put Neller in in command
command.. Richardson gave Nelle Nellerr
passed through
passed through the the facility,
facility, and
and were
were checke
checkedd two hours
hours to to prepare
prepare to to move
move his his new
new task
task force
force,,
against the
against the data
data bases
bases which
whichthe thecommand's
commands intel- intel- codenamed Bulldog,
Bulldog, composed
composed of of Company
Company B, B, 22dd
ligence section
ligence section hadhad putput together
together in in the
the month
monthss Battalion, 27th Infantry;
Infantry ; the the LAI
LAI company,
company, still rein rein--
before the
before the operation
operation.. With senior PDF PDF member
memberss forced with
forced with aa detachment
detachment of of FAST
FAST Marines
Marines;; andand th thee
helping to
helping to maintain
maintain orderorder while
whilearmed
armedsailors
sailorswitwithh detachment of Security Force Marines. Marines . TheThe Marine
Marin e
dogs manned the perimeter, the camp
dogs manned the perimeter, the camp ran smooth- ran smooth- units began a motor march to the west, while while th thee
ly.There
ly. There were
were no
no recorded
recorded instances
instances of of mistreat-
mistreat- Army company,
Army company, which started from La Chorrera Chorrera,,
ment or attempts to escape, either
ment or attempts to escape, either from Rodma from Rodman n moved east to meet them them at at the
the intersection
intersection of of th
thee
or from
or from Arraijan
Arraijan.. Pan-American Highway and
Pan-American Highway and the road to Vac a the road to Vaca
In due
In due course,
course, the the Navy
Navy and and Marine
Marine Corp Corpss Monte.
Monte . They rendezvoused at 1530. 1530 .
detainees were
detainees were transferred
transferred to to the
the JTF
JTF camp
campaatt With Captain
With Captain Hurt Hurt once
once again
again reconnoitering
reconnoitering to to
Empire Range
Empire Range near
near thethe Canal
Canal for
for disposition
disposition.. WitWith h the front from the air, the units coordinated their
few exceptions,
few exceptions, the the detainees
detainees werewere released
released bby y plans while
plans while on on thethe move
move.. The coordination served
mid-January,
mid January, thethe process
process of of sorting
sorting the the good
good frofrom
m its purpose,
purpose, as as itit prevented
prevented the the task
task force
force fro from m
the bad
the bad having
having been
been completed
completed.. ApartApart from
from th thee inadvertently
inadvertently firingfiringon onU.S.
U .S .Navy
Navy SEALs
SEALs in in high-
high-
individuals actually
individuals actually charged
charged with
with crimes
crimes andand held
held speed boats heading
speed boats heading north north towards
towards the the objective
objective..
for trial, the task was to determine who was fit ttoo While the
While the Navy
Navy screened
screened the the seaward
seaward flank,
flank, th thee
return to
return to public
public service
service andand who
who was was notnot.. It was
was aa task force entered the port's gateway, gateway, and and encoun-
encoun-
subtle undertaking,
subtle undertaking, complicated
complicated by by the
the fact
fact that
that tered aa crowd
tered crowd of of looters,
looters, many
many of of whom
whom were were try-
try-
the JTF's
the JTFs role was now now to to advise
advise and and support
support th thee ing to
ing to drive
drive away
away on on heavily
heavily loaded
loaded trucks
trucks.. Th Thee
new Panamanian government
new government;; American
American liaisoliaisonn Marines stopped the trucks, and threw the contra-
Marines contra -
officers could
officers could only
only makemake recommendations
recommendations abou aboutt band on the ground
band ground.. AsAsword wordofofthe theMarines
Marines''
the employment
employment of of any
any given
given individual,
individual, or or abou
aboutt arrival spread,
arrival spread, other
other looters
looters andand civilians
civilians began
began ttoo
personnel policies in general. Unfortunately,
general . Unfortunately, som somee stream towards the gateway, by now secured by
of the newly released detainees were PDF mem- Company B ..All
Company All told,
told, the
the task
task force detained some som e
bers believed to be corrupt, who somehow joine joinedd 400 people
400 people forfor Marine counterintelligence team teamss
the post-PDF
the post-PDF police
police force,
force, much
much to to the
the dismay
dismay of of to process
to process.. TheThe group
group included
included aa number
number of of for-
for-
Marines likelike Colonel
Colonel Richardson
Richardson.. In In some
some cases
cases,, eign seamen,
eign seamen, among among them them Cubans,
Cubans, Germans
Germans,,
Marines detained the same man more than once. once . Peruvians, and
Peruvians, and Nicaraguans,
Nicaraguans, all allfrom
fromships
shipsdockedocked d
However, there were also many many cases
cases ofof PDF
PDF mem-
mem- at Vaca Monte
at Monte.. By Bymidnight
midnightall allofofthe
theforeigner
foreignerss
bers who, under the new regime, did their their best
best ttoo had been
had been released,
released, and and thethe number
number of of detainee
detaineess
rebuild the
the country.
country. had fallen
had fallen toto 100
100 Panamanians,
Panamanians, 13 13 of
of them
them regula
regularr
Panamanian soldiers
Panamanian soldiers assigned
assigned to to Vaca Monte, who
More New
More New Responsibilities
Responsibilities were held for for further
further processing.
processing .
Confronting the
Confronting the looters
looters turned
turned outout to to be
be ththee
By 23 December, it was clear that there was lit- highlight of of the
the operation
operation.. WhileWhile they they occupie
occupiedd
tle
tle threat
threat to
to the
the Arraijan
Arraijan Tank
Tank Farm. Duty for
Farm . Duty for the attention
the attention of of the
the lead
lead elements
elements of of the
the task
taskforce
force,,
Security Force Marines in the storage facility wa wass other elements
other elements searched
searched for for signs
signs of of Noriega's
Noriega'selit elitee
uneventful and their commander,
commander, Major
Major Neller,
Neller, force, including
including supposed supposed weapons
weapons caches,caches, bu butt
approached Colonel
Colonel Richardson
Richardson about
about the
the possi-
possi- found little
little apart
apart fromfrom 120120 kilograms
kilogramsof ofTNT.
TNT Th The e
bility of detailing
bility of detailing some
some ofof his
his Marines
Marines for
for more
more antiterrorist unit
unit had had left
left the
the area
area well
well before
before the the
active duty. At that time, "more
"more active
active duty"
duty" mean
meantt operation. When Colonel
operation . When Colonel Richardson
Richardson heard heard the the
the impending
impending operation
operation against
against Vaca
VacaMonte,
Monte, aa news, hehe regretted
regretted that that hehe had
had been
been unable
unable to to ddoo
nearby seaport
nearby seaport.. Marine
MarineForces
ForcesPanama
Panama ha hadd more
more to to neutralize
neutralize aa dangerousdangerous part part of of ththee
received reports
received reports that
that Noriega's
Noriega's 100-strong
100-strong antiter-
antiter- Panamanian Defense
Panamanian DefenseForce.97
Force . "
rorist unit
rorist unit maintained
maintained aa presence
presence at
at aa small
small base
base in
in The other
The other significant
significant event event of of the
the day
day occurre
occurredd
the town
the town9 .% when Marine
when Marine Forces
Forces Panama
Panama was was placed
placed under
under th thee
Neller got more than he bargained for. Colonel
Neller operational control of the 7th Infantry Division aatt

30
30
 .yl

Photo by
Photo by Sgt
Sgt Robert
Robert C
C.Jcnks
. Jenk s
Vehicles and
and people
people wait
wait to
to be
be searched
searched at
at one
one of
of several
several checkpoints
checkpointsset
setup
upbby
y
Marines throughout
Marines throughout their
their operational
operational area.
US. Army military
U.S. Army military police
police attached
attached to
to the
the Marine Command
Command conduct
conduct a vehicl
vehiclee
search.
search .
Photo by Sgt Robert
Robert C
C.Jenks
. Jenk s

Pt I 1PGL:t' SFS1f i
di—

ta
rt

31
31
 1630 and,
1630 and, until
until the
the beginning
beginning of
of February,
February, cease
ceasedd secured
secured the
the perimeter,
perimeter, while
while FAST cleared th
FAST cleared thee
to be
be aa more
more oror less
less independent
independent component
component ooff objective.
objective . All told, they cleared approximately 4 400
JTF South
JTF South.. While
While thethe attachment
attachment was, at least in multistory, multiroom buildings under the leader- leader -
theory, a blow to Marine doctrine
theor) a blow to Marine doctrine and
and pride,
pride, the
the ship of First
ship of First Lieutenant
Lieutenant Killackey,
Killackey, who who ha hadd
practical consequences were limited,
practical consequences were limited, since th since thee returned to Panama for for aa second
second tour
tour.. The targets
Marine Command had never been a true
Marine Command had never been a true Marin e Marine even included a radio station and possible tunnel tunne l
air-ground task
air-ground task force
force and
and had
had already
already acco
accom m complex in the town of Nuevo EmperadorEmperador.. During
During
pushed
plished most of its assigned missions.'8
missions . " these operations, LAI
LA! and FASTFAST Marines
Marines captured
captured a
number of Noriega affiliates, all without causing
Christmas Eve
Ev e any civilian
civilian casualties
casualties."
."
But perhaps the most important
important capture
capture hap-hap-
The operation against Vaca Monte was the las
lastt pened almost by chance.
pened almost by chance . It was during a vehicle
vehicle
major action
major action which
which carried
carried with
with itit the
the threat
threat ooff recovery operation on
recovery operation on Christmas
Christmas Day Day that
that aa
hostilities on
hostilities on aa large
large scale
scale.. By
ByChristmas
Christmas Eve Eve,, detachment of support group Marines captured capture d
Marine commanders realized that the fight was all
Marine local strongman Rigoberto Paredes while passin passingg
but over,
but over, especially
especially after
after Noriega
Noriega sought
sought refuge
refuge iinn through NuevoArraijan.
through NuevoArraijan . Paredes, who was high oonn
high
the Papal
the PapalNunciatura
Nunciatura. Whenthe
. When the news
news spread,
spread, JTF South's
South's wanted list, had eluded U.S. U .S . forces
forces for
fo r
crowds of
crowds of Panamanians
Panamanians celebrated
celebrated in
in the
the streets
streets.. five days.. When
five days When thethe detachment
detachment appeared
appeared on on th
thee
In Veracruz,
In Veracruz, theythey produced
produced aa large
large portrait
portrait of
of th
thee scene, local citizens were literally chasing Parede Paredess
legitimately elected president, Guillermo Endara,
legitimately down thethe street Beingcaptured
street.. Being capturedsaved
saved hishis life
life..
and hung
and hung itit at
at the
the local
local PDF
PDF station
station.. The hangin
hangingg Even after
after the
the capture,
capture, the
the citizens
citizens pleaded
pleaded withwith
of the
of the portrait
portrait ofof Endara
Endara marked
marked the
the end
end of
of hostil-
hostil- the
the detachment commander, Captain
detachment commander, Captain Willia
William m
ities in
ities in Veracruz
Veracruz and and the
the surrounding
surrounding area
area."
." Aitken, to kill him."2
Aitken, him . '

Christmas Day
Christmas Day and
and After
After Marine Reinforcements

During the
During the days
days that
that followed,
followed, the the Marine
Mariness While some
While some Marines
Marines who who had
had experience
experiencedd
slipped into
slipped into aa routine
routine ofof search
search and
and seizure
seizure opera-
opera- months of of tension,
tension, followed
followed by by the
the release
release ofof Jus
Justt
tions, and
tions, and conventional
conventionalpatrolling
patrolling.. TheThe searche
searchess Cause, and and then
then the
the letdown
letdown after
after combat,
combat, began
began
were still mainly for for PDF
PDF cadre
cadre or
or weapons
weapons.. There to feel
feel aa sense
sense ofof frustration,
frustration, aa fresh
fresh company
company ooff
were, basically, two types of searches, those at road- road - Marines, Company
Marines, Company I,I, 3d 3d Battalion,
Battalion, 6th Marines, wa wass
blocks and
blocks and those
those of of property.
property. Working
Working the the road-
road- preparing to
preparing to embark
embark for for Panama
Panama.. The company'
company'ss
blocks was
blocks was frustrating
frustrating.. After After06000600 on on 2255 Marines had gone on their normal Christmas leave.
Marines leave .
December, JTF
December, JTF South
South allowed
allowed vehicles
vehicles to to pass
pas s On 2727 December,
December, the the regimental
regimental commande
commanderr
through the
through the blocks,
blocks, butbut only
only under
under thethe conditio
condition n asked the company commander if he could have
that they
that they bebe searched
searched.. The The intent
intent was
was toto searc
searchh his Marines
Marines ready ready to to deploy
deploy by by noon
noon on on 2288
thoroughly. ItItdid
vehicles quickly but thoroughly. did not
not work
work December. InInan
December. anactactofoffaith,
faith,Captain
Captain Blaine
Blame D D..
that way.
that way. The
The buses
buses that
that stopped
stopped atat the
the roadblock
roadblockss Vorgang assured
Vorgang assured Colonel
Colonel Sutton
Sutton that
that hehe could
could..
were filled to
were filled to overflowing
overflowing with with the
the poor,
poor, thei
theirr There were
There were aa few
few tense
tensehours
hours.. AtAt 0800
0800 on on 2828
domestic animals,
domestic animals, andand their
their possessions
possessions.. The initial December, he
December, he had
had only
only 7272 Marines
Marines in in his
his squad
squad--
reaction among
reaction among Marines
Marines was was that
that itit was
was simply
simply bays but,
bays but, by
by noon,
noon, he he had
had 241
241 Marines
Marines and and wawass
impossible to
impossible to accomplish
accomplish the the mission
mission.. However,
However, able to
to embark
embark thethe company
company for for Panama
Panama the the sam
same e
over time,
over time, experts
experts emerged
emerged who who could
could do do th
thee afternoon.. When
afternoon Whenthey they landed,
landed, they
they brought
brought th thee
work. There was, for
work . There for example, a Security Force Forc e total number
total number of of Marines
Marines in in Panama
Panama to to 927,
927, com-
com-
Marine who developed an unerring sense for PDF pared to
pared to approximately
approximately 21,000 21,000 Army,
Army, 3,500
3,500Ai Airr
soldiers, whom
soldiers, whom he he could
could distinguish
distinguish from
from ordinary
ordinary Force, and
Force, and 550
550Navy
Navypersonnel
personnel."."
citizens,and
citizens, anddetain
detain.".' On arrival,
On arrival, the
the company
company wasted
wasted little
little time
time.. Early
Earl y
The property searches
The property searches were
were largely
largely conducte
conducted d on the
on the morning
morning of of 29
29 December,
December, Colone Colonell
by FAST
by FAST Marines
Marines supported
supported by byLAI
LA!Marines,
Marines,whos whosee Richardson briefed the new unit on its mission,
Richardson mission ,
duty in
duty in Vaca Monte had ended by Christmas Day Day,, which he
which he described
described as as public
public safety
safety andand civil
civil
freeing them
them for for other
othertasks.
tasks Typically,
. Typically, the
the LAVs
LAVs affairs.. Later,Vorgang's
affairs Later,Vorgang's Marines
Marines drew
drew ammunition
ammunition

32
and equipment, and the next day, they deployed ttoo 31 December,
December, Company
Company II Marines
Marines deployed
deployed to to
Nuevo Arraijan, Nuevo
Nuevo Arraijan, Nuevo Emperador,
Emperador, and
and Vist
Vistaa search aa pig
pig farm
farm after
after receiving
receiving aa tip
tip that
that there
there
Allegre.. They
Allegre They also
also replaced
replaced Security
Security Force
Force Marine
Mariness was aa Dignity
was Dignity Battalion
Battalion armsarms cache
cache onon the
the proper-
proper-
on the roadblock west of Arraijan and detached ty (Marine Forces Panama had received
ty. (Marine Forces Panama had received report s reports
one platoon to
one platoon to the
the force
force guarding
guarding the the tank
tank farm
farm.. that some Dignity Battalions
Battalions planned
planned toto resist
resist eve
evenn
Although their
Although their instructions
instructions were
were somewhat
somewhat nebu-
nebu- after most of their comrades in the PDF had sur-
lous—establish aa presence
presence in in the
the towns
towns and
and kee
keepp rendered.) Shortlyafter
rendered .) Shortly aftermidnight,
midnight, in in the
the first
the peace—and although the company was thin on hours of
of the
the new
new year,
year, the
the Marines
Marines took
took firefire fro
fromm
the ground, givengiven the
the size
size of
of its
its area
area of
of operations
operations,, the
the farm,
farm, ran
ran through
through the the rules
rules of
of engagement,
engagement ,
all of the
all of the Marines
Marines turned
turned to to with
with enthusiasm,
enthusiasm , returned
returned 1717 rounds
rounds of of fire,
fire, and
and wounded
wounded one one
including aa provisional
provisional rifle
rifle platoon
platoon of of forwar
forwardd Panamanian
Panamanian in in the
the leg
leg.. Only
Only after
after the firing ha hadd
observers, engineers, mortarmen,
mortarmen, machine
machine gun-gun- ceased did
ceased did they
theylearn
learnthat
thatthe
the"hostiles"
hostiles" were
were paipaidd
ners, and armorers.
armorers . For Forthese
theseMarines
Marines new new ttoo security guards
security guards;; they had not known that America Americann
Panama, it was different, interesting, and challeng- forces were in
forces were in the
the area,
area, and
and had
had been
been afraid
afraid thathatt
ing work
work.. Not Not only
only did
did they
they secure
secure andand patrol
patrol ththee someone was
someone was trying
trying toto steal
steal their
their pigs '°
pigs.. 115
towns, but they also built a small bridge in Nuevo Nuev o pattern was
The pattern
The was similar
similar on on 33 January,
January, the the da
dayy
Arraijan.'°4
Arraijan . 104 Noriega walked out of the Papal Nunciatura, pas
Noriega pastt
At times, domestic, military, and political pres- the two
the two Marine
Marine LAVsLAV5stillstillattached
attachedto toTask
TaskForc Forcee
sures combined
sures combinedininstrange strangeways
ways. Onthe
. On thenight
night of
of Gator, and
Gator, and surrendered
surrendered to membersmembers of of the
the U.S.
U.S .

Marines take to
Marines take to horseback
horseback to
to patrol
patrol the
the countryside
countryside in
in search
search offormer PDF
PDF mem-
mem-
hers and arms caches.
bers
Photo by CWO-3 Charles W. Rowe, Jr.
W. Rowe,Jr.

33
33
 SAN FRANCISCO
DI LA CALETA

34
Army's Delta
Army's Delta Force
Force.. AgainstAgainstaabackdrop backdrop ooff tance of
tance of Army
Army Captain
Captain Steve
Steve Stanaland
Stanaland and and hi hiss
Panamanians beating beating pots
pots andand pans,
pans, their
their way way ooff detachment of
detachment of civil
civil affairs
affairs specialists
specialists fromfrom th thee
urging Noriega
Noriega on on hishis way
way to to prison,
prison, Captai
Captainn 96th Civil
96th CivilAffairs
AffairsBrigade
Brigade. Therewas
. There wasfoodfoodto to dis-
dis-
Vorgang received
Vorgang received nearly
nearly simultaneous
simultaneous reportsreports tha thatt tribute, aa clinic
tribute, clinic to
to reopen,
reopen, and and aa police
police force
force ttoo
two of his detachments,
detachments, the Marines at the road- road - organize.
organize . TheThe task
task force
force installed
installed thethe rightfull
rightfullyy
block andand aa patrol
patrol inin aa rock
rock quarry,
quarry, werewere takintakingg elected mayor who, as other Panamanian politi-
Therewere
fire.. There
fire werealso alsoreports
reports of of aa possibl
possiblee cians, had
had been
been elected
elected inin May
May 1989
1989 butbut denie
denied d
Panamanian
Panamanian attack attack on on Vaca
Vaca Monte,
Monte, whichwhich hhee office, and, alongside him, a police chief chosen by
thought couldcould be be the
the kind
kind of of last-ditch
last-ditch stand
stand pre- pre- the townspeople.. They
the townspeople They helped
helped him him to to recruit
recruit aa
dicted in in some
some intelligence
intelligence reports
reports.. It was impos- police force which
police force which ran ran joint
joint patrols
patrols withwith th thee
sible toto determine
determine over over the the radio
radio whatwhat had had hap-
hap- Marines.07
Marines . 107
pened, but Vorgang had an obligation to pass the th e By early
By early January,
January, city
city services
services had
had returned
returned ttoo
report on to Marine Forces
report on to Marine Forces Panama, whic h Panama, which the level where they were on 20 December December.. Over Ove r
deployed
deployed aa reaction
reaction force
forceof ofLAVs
LAYs.. ThenThen the
the threats
threats time, the
the Marines began
began to to see
see their
their role
role not so so
dissipated. But they had been
dissipated . But they had been real . The repor t real. The report much as governing the town town as as of
of protecting
protecting th thee
from the roadblock grew out of a domestic inci- new government
government and and helping
helping itit to
to function
function.. At
dent
dent in in which
which a a battered
battered woman woman came came to to the
th e first the population was was somewhat
somewhat standoffish
standoffish,,
Marines for assistance
assistance.When
.When they went to investi- hesitant to work with the Marines.
Marines . After
After Noriega
Noriega
gate, someone started to shoot at them with a pis- was captured
captured on 3 January,
January, there
there was a turning
turnin g
tol.
tol . The Marines did not return return firefire.. The attack aatt point in Arraijan, as in other towns.
towns .The The PDF
PDF hav-
hav-
the quarry was also real enough, but it was simpl simplyy ing been defeated, it was now safe for Panamanians
Panamanian s
harassing fire. Vorgang debriefed
harassing fire . Vorgang debriefed the patrol leade the patrol leaderr to help
to help thethe Marines,
Marines, andand many
many diddid soso willingly
willingly.
carefully,
carefully, testing
testing his
his story. His
story. His answer answer was, "Sir, They offered information
information on on arms
arms caches,
caches, pointe
pointedd
when the
when the ground
ground nextnext to to you
you starts
starts spurting
spurting up up,, Out former PDF and Dignity Battalion
out former PDF and Dignity Battalion members fo members forr
and you
you seesee muzzle
muzzle flashes,
flashes, andand youyou hear
hear thethe crac
crackk arrest, and in general helped to restore
arrest, and in general helped to restore order. order.
over
over youryour head head . . . you're
. . . receiving fire
you're receiving fire."
." When the situation in Arraijan itself stabilized stabilized,,
Nevertheless,
Nevertheless, the the Marines
Marines did did notnot return
return fire fire Cronin sent mobile detachments
Cronin sent mobile detachments out into theout into the sur-
sur-
because they did not have a clear target target.. 1 '°
" rounding countryside, and repeated
rounding countryside, and repeated much th much thee
During January, the
During the operations
operations of of Task
Task Forc Forcee same process of removing the
same process of removing the traces of th e traces of the
Cronin in in Arraijan
Arraijan also
also reflected
reflected the the changing
changing mi mixx Noriega regime
Noriega regime and
and strengthening
strengthening its its successor.
successor .'°"
of political and military affairs. Commanded by
affairs . Commanded
Captain R
Captain R.. Barry
Barry Cronin, a Marine Corps militar militaryy Operation Promote Liberty
police officer assigned to the command element ooff
Marine Forces Panama, the task force was an an aadd By the
By the end
end of
of January,
January, the
the transition
transition from
from com-
com-
hoc group of
hoc group of some
some 70 70 Marines
Marines and and soldiers
soldiers whic whichh bat operations
bat operations to to nation-building
nation-building appeared
appeared com-com-
had started as
had started as aa contingency
contingency platoon platoon.. They first plete.. Many elements of the Army's
plete Army's XVIIIXVIII Airborn
Airborne e
arrived in
arrived in Arraijan
Arraijan onon 2222 December
December to to help
help fillfill th
thee Corps had
Corps had redeployed
redeployed to to the
the United
United States,
States, JTF
JT F
vacuum left left by
by the
the collapse
collapse of of the
the Noriega
Noriega regimeregime,, South having been disbanded on 11 January January.. When
Whe n
and started
and started fromfrom scratch,
scratch, with with aa hasty
hasty all-aroun
all-around d the 7th Infantry Division left
the 7th Infantry Division left Panama in Panama in earl
earlyy
defense and
defense and makeshift
makeshiftfortifications
fortifications.. Cronin
Cronin spent February, Marine Forces Panama
February, Marine Forces Panama once agai n once again
the first
the first night
night catnapping
catnapping in in aa truck,
truck, pistol
pistol in in hand
hand,, became a component of JTF Panama, as it had bee beenn
and awakened
and awakened more more thanthan once
once to to gunfire
gunfire as as hihiss before 20 December.
before 20 December . But there was a new title forr
fo
Marines traded
Marines traded fire
fire with
with Dignity
Dignity Battalion
Battalion mem- mem- the
the new phase of
new phase of operations In
operations.. In place of place of
bers.. In
bers Inthethedays
daysthat
thatfollowed,
followed, they they conducte
conducted d Operation Just Cause, there was now
Operation Just Cause, there was now Operatio n Operation
patrols, intended
patrols, intended primarily
primarily to to prevent
prevent the the PDFPDF and and Promote
Promote Liberty.
Liberty. ItsItspurpose
purposewas was"to"to promot
promotee
the Dignity
the Dignity Battalions
Battalions fromfrom organizing
organizing any any furthe
furtherr democracy, promote Panamanian confidence in it itss
resistance.
resistance Thenthe
. Then thefocus
focus shifted
shifted to to helping
helping ttoo democratically elected government, and suppor supportt
manage the
manage the collection
collection point point in in Arraijan
Arraijan fo forr the nation-building
nation-building process
process."°'
." 10'
detainees.
detainees . When the flood of detainees ebbed, th thee During Promote Liberty, the the Marine
Marine command'
command'ss
task force focussed more and more on preventin preventingg mission was to accomplish the JTF
mission was to accomplish the JTF mission in mission in it
itss
crime and restoring order with the welcome welcome assis- assis- area
area of operations in addition to continuing tto
of operations in addition to continuing o

35
35
screen Howard and guard the two storage facili-
screen patrol or to provide replacements for observatio observationn
ties.. There was little activity in the tank farm or the
ties and listening posts
and posts.. Marine Reservists from from the
the 4t
4thh
ammunition supply
ammunition supply point,
point, only
only occasional
occasional intrud-
intrud- Civil Affairs
Civil Affairs Group
Group on on two-week
two-week tours of active
ers who
ers who appeared
appeared to to be
be poachers
poachers.. Even
Even so, the duty were
duty were among
among the the augmentees
augmentees.. They coordi-
Marines who
Marines who stood
stood duty
duty in
in the
the fuel
fuel depot
depot face
facedd nated relief efforts,
nated relief efforts, screened
screened candidates
candidates for for gov-
gov-
most of
most of the
the same
same training
training requirements
requirements as as ha
hadd ernment positions,
positions, documented
documented claimsclaims against
against ththe e
their predecessors,
their predecessors,participating
participating in rules of
in rules of U.S. Government, and
U .S . Government, and liaised
liaised with
with local
local officials
officials..
engagement exercises
engagement exercises and and spending
spending aa great
great deal
deal of
of Colonel Richardson recognized
Colonel Richardson recognized the the Reservists
Reservists''
time on
time on the
the rifle
rifle and
and pistol
pistol ranges
ranges.. The
The command
command contribution, whichwhich demonstrated
demonstrated to to him
him the
the nee
needd
also experimented
also experimented with methods to minimize the the for organic civil affairs support in operations suc suchh
dangers of providing security at fixed sites, such as
dangers as Just Cause and Promote Libertytm Liberty ." '
camouflaging sentry
camouflaging sentry posts,
posts, using
using infra-red
infra-red lights
lights toto Throughout the
Throughout the period,
period, thethe Marine comman
commandd
communicate, and
communicate, and infiltrating reliefs throug
infiltrating reliefs throughh continued
continued to to gather
gather tactical
tactical intelligence
intelligence.. Marine
dense terrain
dense terrain."0.' ° intelligence specialists in in civilian
civilian clothes,
clothes, using
using th thee
The absence
absence of of activity
activity inin the
the tank
tank farm
farm and
and cover of of being
being on on liberty,
liberty conducted surveillanc
surveillancee
ammunition depot
ammunition depot allowed
allowed the the Marine
Marine units
units toto in the
in the vicinity of the cuartels Sentries maintained
focus on other
other missions
missions.. Usually
Usually in in concert
concert wit
with h logbooks to
logbooks to note
note anything
anything of of interest,
interest, such
such asas vehi-
vehi-
Panamanian police, they continued
Panamanian police, they continued to patrol th e to patrol the cles that drove by more
cles that drove by more than once than once. . Members off
o
towns of of Veracruz
Veracruz and and Arraijan,
Arraijan, andand to
to help
help ttoo the command's intelligence section
the command's intelligence section travelled t o travelled to
restore their municipal
municipal governments
governments.. During
During thethe the cuartels
the cuartels on on aa daily
daily basis
basis to to debrief
debrief sentries,
sentries,
period leading up to Promote Liberty, there wer weree review logbooks, and update their own data bases.
still platoon-sized units in the former PDF gar- Other Spanish-speaking
Spanish-speaking interrogator-translator
interrogator-translator an andd
risons, or cuartels, of of both
both towns
towns.. Toward
Toward the the en
end d counterintelligence Marines circulated
counterintelligence Marines circulated among th among thee
of the operation, it was, for political reasons, nec- townspeople to the maximum extent
townspeople to the maximum extent possible, in possible, in
essary
essary toto let
let the
the new
new Panamanian
Panamanian National
National Polic
Policee some areas literally going from door
some areas literally going from door to door t o to door to
stand on its own
own.. Accordingly, the Marine Marine presenc
presence e establish rapport and gather information openly. openly .
in each town was reduced to a few men, occasion- occasion - The primary but
The primary, but not
not exclusive,
exclusive, focusfocus of of thei
theirr
ally augmented by small detachments to help efforts was to assess threats to to Marine
Marine units
units.. The
Several small Marine task forces, as this one, moved out into central and western
Panama to conduct reconnaissance and assistance missions as Panama gradually
returned to a democratic society.
society .
Photo by
Photo by Sgt
Sgt Robert
Robert CC.Jenks
. Jenks

- - ___-/
____

36
36
 !'G During the
During the height
height of
of the
the fighting
5
114
fighting two
tiR \AC1

two children
children in
in Vera
Vera Cruz
Cruz took
took time
time to
to make
make aa
Photo by
Photo by Sgt
Sgt Robert
Robert CC.Jenks
. Jenk s

sign thanking the Marines of Company K, 3d Battalion, 6th Marines Marines..

secondary purpose was was to
to prepare
prepare packages ooff did what
did what civil
civil affairs
affairs work
work they
they could
could.. For
For exam-
exam-
information for civil affairs operations. Both wer
information for civil affairs operations . Both weree ple, they
ple, they opened
opened field
field expedient
expedient roadside
roadside clinic
clinicss
extremely useful
extremely useful to
to commanders
commanders."2 .1' medical care
and provided medical care to
to the
the local
local citizenr
citizenryy
During Promote
During Promote Liberty,
Liberty, Marine
Marine elements
elements wen
wentt while they
while they were
were inin the
the area
area.3
." 3
far beyond their originally assigned area of opera- In late
In late March,
March, Marines
Marines replaced
replacedArmy
Armytroops
troopsaatt
tions, and
tions, and conducted
conducted reconnaissance
reconnaissance and and presenc
presencee the old
the old Panamanian
Panamanian DefenseDefense ForceForce base
base atat Ri
Rioo
missions in in central
central and
and western
western Panama
Panama.. In early Hato, aa town
Hato, town located
located some
some 80 80 kilometers
kilometers west
west ooff
February, the LA! LAI company deployed to the town townss the Canal
the Canal.. The mission
mission was
was to to maintain
maintain aa presenc
presencee
of Santiago and and Sona,
Sona, and,
and, in
in late
late February,
February, aann and aa forward
and forward refueling
refueling site
site.. The
The Marine
Marine command
command
infantry
infantry task task force
force deployed
deployed to theAzuer
to the Azueroo took advantage of the opportunity, and used Rio
Peninsula. During March,
Peninsula . During March, aa completely
completely motorize
motorizedd Hato to support its LAI LA! operations in the west west.. For
and mechanized task
and mechanized task force
force under
under Marine
Marine Force
Forcess First Lieutenant Brian K. Foster, a Company C pla-
Panama's last last commanding
commanding officer,
officer, Colonel
Colonel Jame
Jamess toon commander, the deployment was a tremen-
M. Hayes, launched
M . Hayes, launchedOperation
OperationTexas
TexasRangers,
Rangers, a dous opportunity
opportunity.. Although
Although an an unusual
unusual responsi-
responsi-
reconnaissance in force in and around the towns town s bility for an officer of his rank, he was was placed
placed iinn
of David,Volcan, and and Rio
Rio Sereno
Sereno in
in the
the province
province ooff command of a task task force
force which
which comprised
comprised rough-
rough-
Chirique.
Chirique . Built Builtaround
aroundCaptain
CaptainRichard
Richard R R.. ly 80 Marines and sailors built built around
around aa rifle
rifle pla-
pla-
Huizenga's Company
Huizenga's Company C, C, 2d
2d LAI
LA! Battalion,
Battalion, the
the tas
taskk toon and an LAI LA! platoon
platoon.. He learned quickly
quickly that
that
force covered
force covered 1,500
1,500 kilometers
kilometers and
and made
made five
five tac-
tac- there was no one to rely upon except himself himself.. Fo
Forr
tical overnight
tical overnight stops
stops.. Its accomplishments includ-
includ- 51 days he was, in effect, the mayor of Rio Hato and and
ed the
ed the capture
capture of of holdouts
holdouts from
from thethe Noriega
Noriega the surrounding countryside."4
countryside .' "
regime, in
regime, in one
one case
case within
within meters
meters of of the
the Costa Foster used
used hishis small
small task
task force
force well,
well, plannin
planningg
Rican border.
Rican Earlier,the
border. Earlier, thetask
taskforce
force uncovered
uncovered a and executing aa judicious
and executing judicious mixture
mixture ofof deterrent
deterrent
cache of
cache of falsified
falsified passports
passports and
and large
large amounts
amounts of of patrols and
patrols and nation-building
nation-building operations
operations.. At
At first
first th
thee
American currency. Duringthe
currency. During theoperation,
operation, th thee Marines and and sailors
sailors worked
worked hardhard simply
simply toto main-
main-
Marines enjoyed
Marines enjoyed the the support
support of of courageou
courageouss tain
tain aa presence
presence and and establish
establish rapport
rapport with
with thei
theirr
Panamanians like
Panamanians like the
the mayor
mayor ofof Rio
Rio Sereno,
Sereno, Mari
Mario o neighbors in
neighbors in the
the provincial
provincial towns,
towns, while
while obeying
obeying
Lascano, who
Lascano, who rode
rode along
along with
with the
the LAVs,
LAVs, pointin
pointing g orders not
orders not to
to become
become involved
involved withwith any
any ofof the
the
out targets and
out targets and signing
signing search
search warrants
warrants.. !n
In addi-
addi- young
young womenwomen in in them,
them, whichwhich Foster
Foster late
laterr
tion to search
tion to search andand seizure
seizure operations,
operations, thethe Marines
Marines described as
described as the
the greatest
greatest potential
potential danger
danger to to the
the

37
37
success of his mission
mission.. Over time, the Marines
Marines wo wonn curtailment of
curtailment of routine
routine patrols
patrols in in the
the outlyin
outlyingg
the support of the local citizenry.
citizenry. They
They discovered,
discovered , regions, and
regions, and the
the LAI
LAI platoon
platoon waswas withdrawn
withdrawn fro from m
for example,
for example, thatthat they
they could
could use
use their
their tanquitos
tanquitos tto o Rio Hato
Rio Hato.. The
The rifle
rifle platoon
platoon remained,
remained, but limitelimited d
accomplish their their peacetime
peacetime mission
mission.. In the word
wordss its activities
its activities toto training
training and
and providing
providing security
security fo forr
of the
the Marine
Marine command's
commands operations
operations officer,
officer , the base
the base.. At the same time, the Marine command comman d
Lieutenant ColonelRobert
Lieutenant Colonel RobertJJ.. Fawcett,
Fawcett, itit was
was ththee conducted two small intelligence-gathering opera-
light armored vehicle
light armored vehicle people-magnet
people-magnet."5 They
."''' They tions, sending
sending motorized
motorized unitsunits toto Arenas
Arenas on th thee
attracted crowds in remote areas simply by appear- appear - western side of the Azuero peninsula and to th
western thee
ing.
ing . The Marines would then distribute candy to mountainous region
mountainous region ofof Coclecito,
Coclecito, 130 130 kilometer
kilometerss
the children, and and take
take the
the opportunity
opportunity to to mak
makee west of the capital
west capital..
contact
contact with with curious townspeople.. InInaashort
curious townspeople short By May,
By May, the
the situation
situation was
was such
such that
that JTF
JTF Panam
Panamaa
time, they became more comfortable
time, they became more comfortable with th with thee decided that it was no longer appropriate appropriate forfor U.S.
U .S .
Marine presence, and did what they could to help help,, forces to
forces to operate
operate at at any
any distance
distance from
from the
the Canal
Canal,,
offering information and
offering information and hospitality
hospitality.. That
That in turn and
and plans
plans were
were mademade to to redeploy
redeploy the the Marine
Marin e
made it possible for the Marines
made it possible for the Marines to help to help ththee command to the United States. States . By By11June
June al alll
National Police in another way way;; they
they ferried a num-
num- detachments still deployed in the countryside
ber of policemen around the countryside in in th
thee had withdrawn to
had withdrawn to the
the Canal
Canal ZoneZone andand the
the pack-
pack -
tanquitos and then introduced them
tanquitos and then introduced them to contact s to contacts out began.
out began . On 13 June, all of the elements
elements of
of thee
th
that they
that they had
had made
made earlier
earlier alongside
alongside the
the armore
armored d command, with the exception exception of of Security
Security ForcForcee
vehicles."6
vehicles .'' ' Marines, embarked
Marines, embarked on on board
board thethe Trenton
Trenton and,
and, five
five
Apart
Apart from from other
other good works, like
good works, like repairin
repairingg days later, the last Marine walked down the gang gang--
roads, bridges,
roads, bridges, and
and other
other facilities
facilities when
when possible
possible,, way at Morehead City, North Carolina Marine
Carolina.. Marine
the Marines
the Marines helped
helped to to reduce
reduce the
the danger
danger from Forces Panama was deactivated
Forces Panama was deactivated on 23 Jun on 23 Junee
unexploded ordnance
unexploded ordnance.. After learning
learning that
that aa num-
num- 1990."
1990 ."
ber of
ber of children
children had
had been
been wounded
wounded by by unexplode
unexploded d The prevailing attitude among the Marines was
ordnance, the Marines conducted a series of class-
ordnance, that
that itit was
was time
time to to leave
leave.. They
They werewere proud
proud ooff
es in
es in local
local schools,
schools, describing
describing thethe dangers
dangers and and their accomplishments, and
their accomplishments, and their
their morale
morale wa wass
telling the
telling the children what to do if they found ord- high Lieutenant Colonel
high.. Lieutenant Colonel Fawcett
Fawcett spoke spoke fo forr
nance.. The program was a success and proved to
nance many when
many when he he said:
said : "Wait
"Wait a second.
second . You tell m mee
be yet
be yet another
another way
way toto get
get close
close to
to the
the Panamanian
Panamanian to take the
to take the magazine
magazine out out of
of my
my weapon
weapon and and pu putt
people."7
people ." ' it back in
it back in my
my pouch
pouch.. You don't need any more more
In late
In late April,
April, political
political considerations
considerations dictated
dictated aa rifle carriers.
rifle carriers Itstime
. Its timefor forusustotogogohome
home."."" "

38
 Notes
Note s

1.
1. For
For additional
additional background
background see: Allan R
see : Allan R.. 21. Clarkson
21. Clarkson intvw, p
p.. 34;
34 ; and Thomas intvw,
intvw, pp
pp..
Millett, Semper Fidelis, The History of the United
Millett, Semper Fidelis, The History of the Unite d 23-24.
23-24 .
States Marine Corps
Corps (New
(New York:
York: The Free Press
Press,, 22.
22. Clarkson
Clarkson intvw,
intvw, p.
p .35;
35 ;and
andCOMarF0rPM,
COMarForPM ,
1980), pp
1980), pp.. 165-167;
165-167 ; Col Robert Robert D D.. Heinl,
Heinl,Jr.,Soldiers
Jr., Soldiers Sitrep 2, 152300ZApr88 ("Just Cause" File, MCHC
('Just Cause" MCHC,,
of the
of the Sea-The
Sea-The United United States
States Marine
Marine Corps,
Corps, 1775 1775-- Washington, D.C.).
Washington, D .C .) .
1962 (Annapolis:
1962 (Annapolis :U.S. U . S . Naval
Naval Institute, 1962), p. p . 148;
148 ; 23. Clarkson
23. Clarkson intvw,
intvw, p.
p . 23.
23 .
and Capt
and Capt JJ.. H H.. Reynolds, The Marines Marines in in Panama"
Panama' 24. Ibid.,
24. p.. 36.
Ibid ., p 36 . SeeSeealso WilliamBranigin
also:: William Branigin,,
(ms, MCHC,
(ms, MCHC, Washington,
Washington, D D.C., 1975)..
.C ., 1975) Firefight in
"Marines in Firefight in Panama,"
Panama," TheThe Washingto
Washington n
2. Capt
2. Capt J. B.. Reynolds,
J. .H Reynolds, "The "The Marines in Panama" Panama" Post, 14Apr88, p
Post, p.. A-i,
A-1,and
andWilliam
William Branigin,
Branigin, "U.S.
"U .S .
(ms, MCHC,Washington,
(ms, MCHC,Washington, D D.C.,
.C ., 1975), pp.
pp .10-12.
10-12 . Marine Describes
Marine Describes 'Intruders'
'Intruders';; DoubtsDoubts Persist
Persist oonn
3. Maj
3. Maj Alfred F F. Clarkson intvw, 27-28Mar90, pp pp.. Panama Incident," The Washington Post, 16Apr88,
Panama Incident," 16Apr88 ,
4-5 (Oral
4-5 (Oral History
History Collection,
Collection, MCHC, MCHC, Washington
Washington,, p.. A-i8.
p A-18 .
D.C.),
D hereafter Clarkson
.C .), hereafter Clarksonintvw; intvw ;andandLtCol
LtCol James
James B. B. 25. Valore
25. Valore intvw, p p.. 46.
46 .
Thomas intvw,
Thomas intvw, 29May90,
29May90, pp pp.. 12-13 (Oral History 26. Clarkson
26. Clarkson intvw, p p.. 37.
37 .
Collection,
Collection, MCHC, MCHC, Washington,
Washington, DD.C.), hereafterr
.C .), hereafte 27. COMarForPM
27. COMarForPM msg msg to LtGen Cook
to LtGen Cook,,
Thomas intvw.
Thomas 14i232ZFeb90 ("Just
141232ZFeb90 ("Just Cause"Cause" File, File, MCHC MCHC,,
4. Clarkson
4. Clarkson intvw,intvw, pp. pp . 6-7;
6-7 ; and LtGen Ernest T Washington, D
Washington, D.C.).
.C .) . SeeSeealsoalso:: Maj MajCharles
Charles A A..
Cook intvw,
Cook 29May90,pp
intvw, 29May90, pp.. 2-5
2-5 (Oral
(Oral HistorHistoryy Christburg intvw,
intvw, 25Apr90,
25Apr90,pp.. 33 33 (Oral
(Oral History
History
Collection, MCHC, MCHC, Washington,
Washington, DD.C.), hereafter
.C .), hereafter Collection, MCHC,
MCHC, Washington,
Washington, DD.C.), hereafterr
.C .), hereafte
Cook intvw. Christburg intvw;; and Col Charles
Christburg intvw Charles E. E . Richardson
Richardso n
5.
5. Cook
Cook intvw,
intvw, p. p . 2;2 ; Clarkson
Clarkson intvw, pp.. 6; 6 ; and
an d intvw, 23Apr90,pp.. 48
intvw, 23Apr90, 48 (Oral
(Oral History
History Collection
Collection,,
Jeremiah O'Leary, "White House says Marines ttoo MCHC, Washington,DD.C.),
MCHC, Washington, hereafter Richardso
.C .), hereafter Richardson n
project power in Panama," The The Washington
Washington Times, Times , intvw.
4Apr88, p. p . 9.
9. 28.
28. COMarF0rPM,
COMarForPM, Sitrep 43, 270500ZJan89 270500ZJan89 ("Jus ("Justt
6.
6. COMarForPM,
COMarForPM, Sitrep Sitrep 1, 072302ZApr88 ("Jus ("Justt Cause" File,
Cause" File, MCHC,
MCHC, Washington,
Washington, D D.C.).
.C .) .
Cause" File,
Cause" File, MCHC,
MCHC,Washington,
Washington, D D.C.).
.C .) . 29.
29. MarForPM
MarForPMComdC, ComdC,6Apr88-3 6Apr88-31Dec88 1Dec88 ("Just ("Jus t
7. Maj
MajJoseph
JosephP. P.Valore
Valore intvw,
intvw, 29Mar90, pp pp.. 4-7
4-7 Cause" File,
Cause" File, MCHC,
MCHC,Washington,
Washington, D D.C.),
.C .), p.
p . 6.
6.
(Oral History
(Oral History Collection,
Collection, MCHC,Washington,
MCHC,Washington,DD.C.), .C .) , 30.
30. Clarkson
Clarksonintvw,intvw,p. p .44;
44 ;Valore
Valoreintvw,
intvw, p. p . 60;
60 ; and
an d
hereafter Valore intvw.
hereafter LtCol Gene
LtCol Gene A A. . Tromly
Tromly intvw,
intvw, 13Apr90,
13Apr90, pp.. 44
44 (Oral
(Ora l
8.
8. Ibid.,
Ibid ., pp.
pp . 9-10;
9-10 ; and and Maj
Maj William
William J. J . Philbin
Philbi n History Collection, MCHC,Washington,
MCHC,Washington, D D.C.),
.C .), here-
here -
intvw with author, 223Jun94
intvw 3Jun94.. after Tromly intvw.
after intvw .
9.
9. Clarkson
Clarkson intvw,intvw, pp.61. .61 . 31.
31. Clarkson intvw,
Clarkson intvw, p. p .69;Valore
69 ; Valoreintvw,
intvw, pp. pp . 54,76.
54, 76 .
10.
10. Valore
Valore intvw,
intvw, pp.pp .16-20.
16-20 . 32. Clarkson intyw,
32. Clarkson intvw, pp pp. 47-48;
. 47-48 COMarForPM,
; COMarForPM ,
11. Ibid ., p .20 .
Ibid.,p.20. Sitrep 16, 220900ZJul88 ("Just Cause" File, MCHC, MCHC ,
12. Cook
12. intvw, pp .12-13.
Cook intvw,pp. 12-13 . Washington, D.C.).
Washington, D.C .) .
13. Valore
13. Valore intvw, p p.. 23
23.. 33. Clarkson
33. Clarkson intvw, pp. pp .47-48.
47-48 .
14. Clarkson
14. Clarkson intvw,intvw, pp. pp . 18-19.
18-19 . 34. Tromly intvw, pp . 43-44.
34. Tromly intvw, pp. 43-44 .
Valore intvw,
15. Valore
15. intvw, pp.pp . 25-30.
25-30 . 35. Clarkson
35. Clarkson intvw,
intvw, p. p . 56.
56 .
16. Valore
16. intvw, p
Valore intvw, p.. 3131;; and
and Clarkson intvw, pp
Clarkson intvw, pp.. 36. Ibid., p.
36. Ibid ., p .62;
62 ;and
and LtCol
LtCol William
William K. K .Jones,
Jones,Jr., Jr. ,
19,
19, 26
26.. intvw, 17Apr90,
17Apr90, pp pp.. 7-8 (Oral History Collection, Collection ,
Valore intvw,
17. Valore
17. intvw, pp pp.. 32-35
32-35;; and Clarkson intvw, intvw, MCHC, Washington,DD.C.),
MCHC, Washington, hereafter Jones
.C .), hereafter Jones intvw
intvw..
pp.21,24.
pp . 21, 24 . 37.
37. Clarkson
Clarkson intvw,
intvw, p.
p .64;
64 ; LtCol
LtCol Martin RR. . Berndt
Berndt
18. Ibid.,
Ibid ., pp..2525.. intvw, 26Apr90, pp pp.. 24-2
24-255 (Oral
(Oral History
History Collection
Collection,,
19. Ibid ., pp.31.
19. Ibid., . 31 . MCHC, Washington,DD.C.),
MCHC, Washington, hereafter Berndt
.C .), hereafter Berndt intvwintvw;;
20. Ibid.,
20. 27;; and
Ibid ., pp.. 27 and Valore
Valore intvw,
intvw, p.
p . 51
51.. and USCinCSo
and USCinCSo msg msg to to JCS,
JCS, 141831ZDec88
14183 lZDec88 ("Jus ("Justt

39
39
 Cause' File, MCHC, Washington,
Cause" Washington, D D.C.).
.C .) . Robert F F. Killackey
Killackey intvw, intvw, 30May90, pp. pp . 12-14
12-14 (Oral
38. Jones intvw,
38. intvw,p. p . 18.
18 . History Collection, MCHC,Washington, D.C.), D .C .), here-
here -
39.
39. LtCol
LtCol Sands
Sands A. A . Robnick intvw, 24Apr90, p p.. 119
9 after Killackey
Killackey intvw intvw. .
(Oral
(Oral History Collection, MCHC,Washington, D.C.),
D . C .), 59. Ibid.,pp.
59. Ibid ., pp .15-17.
15-17 .
hereafter
hereafter Robnick
Robnick intvw; intvw ;andandCOMarForPM
COMarForPM msg to 60.
60. See COMarForPM
See COMarForPM Oplan Oplan 5-89
5-89 (Ghostbuster),
(Ghostbuster) ,
LtGen Cook, 292030ZNov88 ("Just Cause" File File,, 071600RNov89
071600RNov89 ("Just Cause" File, ("Just Cause" File, MCHC MCHC,,
MCHC,Washington,
MCHC, Washington, D.C .) . D.C.). Washington, D .C .) . For a general description of th
Washington, D.C.). For a general description thee
40. Col
40. Col Thomas
Thomas W. Roberts intvw, 30Mar90, 30Mar90, pp pp.. planning phase, see LtGen Edward M. Flanagan,Jr.,
M . Flanagan, Jr. ,
54-5 5 (Oral History Collection, MCHC,Washington,
54-55 (Oral History Collection, MCHC,Washington , USA (Ret),
USA (Ret), BattleBattle for forPanama
Panama (Washington
(Washington::
D.C.), hereafterRoberts
D .C .), hereafter Robertsintvw
intvw; andRobnick
; and Robnickintvw, intv Brassey's, 1993),
Brassey's, 1993), pp pp.. 32-45, hereafter Flanagan, Flanagan ,
pp
pp.. 22-23.
22-23 . Battle for Panama
Battle Panama..
41. Clarkson
41. Clarkson intvw,
intvw, p. p . 69.
69 . 61.
61. Ibid.,
Ibid ., p.p .70.
70 . See
See also:
also :LtCol
LtColMichael
Michael J.J. Franks
Frank s
42.
42. Ibid.,
Ibid .,p.p 72;
. 72 ;and
andBerndt
Berndtintvw,
intvw, p. p .34.34 . intvw, 23Apr90,
intvw, 23Apr90, pp pp.. 13-15
13-15 (Oral
(Oral History
History Collection
Collection,,
43. Capt
43. Capt Walter
Walter L. L .Mifier
Miller intvw,
intvw, 26Apr90,
26Apr90, pp. pp . 1-2
1-2 MCHC,Washington,
MCHC, Washington,DD.C.), hereafter Franks
.C .), hereafter Franks intvwintvw;;
(Oral History Collection, MCHC,Washington, D.C.), D .C .) , Cook intvw,
Cook intvw, pp.. 77;; and Richardson intvw, pp pp.. 6, 2222..
hereafter
hereafter Miller
Miller intvw.
intvw. 62. Mauskapf
62. Mauskapf and and Powers,
Powers, "LAVs," pp.. 53. 53 .
44.
44. Robnick
Robnick intvw,intvw,pp. pp .1-2;
1-2 ;andandCOMarForPM
COMarForPM 63. Ibid.,p.54.
63. Ibid ., p . 54.
Sitrep 66, 071900ZJul90 ("Just Cause" File, MCHC, MCHC , 64. Ibid.,p.54.
64. Ibid ., p . 54 .
Washington, D.C.).
Washington, D.C .) . 65.
65. Ibid.,p.54.
Ibid ., p . 54 .
45. Capt
45. Capt Edward J. J. Moss intvw, 25Apr90, 25Apr90, pp.. 66 66.
66. lstLt lstLtKenneth
KennethM. M .DeTreux,
DeTreux,"Infantry
"Infantryin in Low-
Low-
(Oral History Collection, MCHC,Washington, D
(Oral D.C.),
.C .) , Intensity ConflictConflict:: Observations from Operation Operatio n
hereafter MossMoss intvw.
intvw. Just Cause"
Just Cause" Marine Marine Corps Corps Gazette, Sep90, Sep90, p. p . 65,
65 ,
46. Capt
46. CaptScott
ScottE. E .Nisely,
Nisely,"Frequent
"Frequent Firing Helps, Helps,"" hereafter DeTreaux, 'Just
hereafter "Just Cause"
Cause";; and Richardso
Richardson n
Marine Corps Gazette,Ju193,
Marine Gazette, Ju193, p. p . 42.
42 . intvw,p.
intvw, p . 32.
32 .
47. Clarkson intvw,
47. intvw, pp.. 7474;; and
and MajMaj Robert
Robert B B.. 67. DeTreux,
67. DeTreux,"Just 'Just Cause,"
Cause," p. p . 65;
65 ; Kifiackey
Killackey intvw,
Neller intvw,
intvw, 17May90,
17May90, pp pp.. 34-35 (Oral Histor Historyy p. 17;
p . 17 ; and Members of 1st Light Armored Infantryy
Infantr
Collection, MCHC, Washington, Washington, D D.C.), hereafter
.C .), hereafter Battalion intvw,
Battalion intvw, 28Mar90, p . 15 28Mar90, p. 15 (Oral History
Neiler
Neller intvw.
intvw. Collection, MCHC,
Collection, MCHC,Washington,
Washington, D D.C.),
.C .), hereafter LAJ LAI
48. COMarForPM
48. COMarForPMSitrep Sitrep 72, 72, 180800ZAug8
180800ZAug899 intvw.
("Just Cause" File, MCHC,Washington,
("Just Cause" File, MCHC, Washington, D D.C.).
.C .) . 68.
68. Richardson
Richardson intvw, intvw, p. p .11.
11 .
49. COMarForPM Sitrep Collection
49. COMarForPM Sitrep Collection ('Just Cause ("Just Cause"" 69.
69. 2dLtThomas
2dLtThomasH. H .Goessman
Goessmanintvw, intvw, 17May90,
17May90, p. p.
File, MCHC,Washington,
File, MCHC, Washington, D .C .) . D.C.). 17 (Oral History Collection, MCHC, Washington Washington,,
50.
50. See
See USCinCSo
USCinCSo msg msg toto JCS,
JCS, 141731ZDec88
141731ZDec88 D.C.).
D .C .) .
("Just Cause" File, MCHC, Washington,
("Just Cause" File, MCHC, Washington, D D.C.).
.C .) . 70.
70. Maj Robert Robert C. C . Griffin,
Griffin, "Investigation
"Investigation to to
51.
51. For an overview
overview of LAV of LAy employment iinn Inquire into
Inquire into thethe Circumstances
Circumstances Surrounding Surroundingth thee
Panama, see Col Robert Robert PP.Mauskapf
Mauskapf and and MajMaj EariW.
Earl W. Death of
Death of First
First Lieutenant
Lieutenant Robert Robert Paz,
Paz, USMC,
USMC,on on116 6
Powers
Powers et al.,., "LAYs
et al "LANs in Action," Marine Corps Corp s December 1989,"
December 1989," 7Jan90
7Jan90 ("Just
("Just Cause"
Cause" File,
File, MCHC
MCHC,,
Gazette, Sep90, pp pp.. 50-59, hereafter MauskapfMauskapf an andd Washington, D.C.). D .C .) .
Powers, "LAYs."
Powers, "LANs ." SeeSeealso
alsoCook
Cook intvw,
intvw, pp.. 1, 1, for men- 71. Flanagan,
71. Flanagan, BattleBattle for for Panama,
Panama, pp. pp .51-52.
51-52 .
tion of General Woerner's attitude on on LANs
LAYs.. 72. Ibid.,
72. Ibid ., p.71;
p . 71 ;andandRichardson
Richardson intvw,intvw, p. p . 31.
31 .
52. COMarForPM
52. COMarForPM msgmsgto LtGen Cook
to LtGen Cook,, 73. Maj
73. Maj James
James W. W. Schindler intvw, 16May90, p. p . 10
10
290030ZMay89
290030ZMay89 ("Just Cause" File,
("Just Cause" File, MCHC MCHC,, (Oral History Collection, MCHC, MCHC,Washington,
Washington, D.C.); D .C .) ;
Washington, D.C.).
Washington, D.C .) . Neller, "Marines in Panama," Panama," pp. pp .18-19;
18-19; andand CWO-3
CWO-3
53. Mauskapf
53. Mauskapf and Powers, "LANs," "LAYs," pp.. 51 51.. C. W. Rowe,
C . W. Rowe, MarForPM
MarForPM Press Press Release
Release 03-90,
03-90, nn.d. .d .
54.
54. Ibid.,p.52.
Ibid., p . 52 . ("Just
Oust Cause"Cause"File, File,MCHC,
MCHC, Washington,
Washington, D D.C.).
.C .) .
55.
55. Maj
Maj Robert B. B . Neller,
Neller, "Marines
"Marines in Panama: Panama : 74.
74. CWO-3
CWO-3 C. C . W.
W. Rowe, MarForPM Press Release
1988-1990," pp.. 15 (ms, MCHC, Washington, D.C.,
1988-1990," D .C . , 20-90, n.d. ("Just Cause" File, MCHC, Washington Washington,,
1991), hereafter Neller, "Marines in Panama." Panama . " D.C.).
D .C .) .
56.
56. Mauskapf
Mauskapfand andPowers,
Powers,"LAVs,"
"LAVs," pp. pp . 52-53.
52-53 . 75.
75. CWO-3
CWO-3 C.W. C .W. Rowe,
Rowe, MarForPM Press Press Releas
Releasee
57. Ibid.,p.52.
57. Ibid ., p . 52 . 08-90, nnd.
08-90, .d .("Just
("Just Cause"
Cause" File,File, MCHC,
MCHC, Washington,
Washington ,
58.
58. Neller
Neller intvw,
intvw, pp. pp . 21-23;
21-23 ; andand First Lieutenant
First Lieutenant D.C.);
D.C LAI intvw,
.) ; LAI intvw,pp.. 30 30;; and
and Maj Bron N. N . Madrigan,
Madrigan ,

40
"The Attack
"The Attackon onthetheDNTTDNTFStation,"
Station,' Marine Marine Corps Corps 94. Ibid.,
94. Ibid .,pp.8-9;
pp . 8-9 ;andandCOMarForPM
COMarForPM msg msg to LtGen
LtGe n
Gazette, Apr90,
Gazette, Apr90, pp. pp .9-10.
9-10 . Cook, 281232ZDec89
Cook, 281232ZDec89 ('Just ('just Cause"
Cause" File, File, MCHC
MCHC,,
76. Franks
76. Franks intvw,pp.
intvw, pp .17-18;17-18 ; LA!LAI intvw,pp.
intvw, pp . 18-20.18-20 . Washington, D.C.). D .C .) .
77. Franks
77. Franks intvw, pp pp.. 16-17;
16-17 ; and Mauskapf an andd 95.
95. CWO-3
CWO-3 C. C.W W. Rowe,
Rowe, MarForPM Press Release Release
Powers, "LAVs,"
Powers, "LAVs," pp.. 57 57.. 18-90,nn.d.
18-90, ('just Cause" File, MCHC, Washington
.d . ('Just Washington,,
78.
78. Franks
Franks intvw,intvw, p. p . 1818;; and
and Mauskapf
Mauskapf and an d DD.C.); Flanagan, Battle
.C .) ; Flanagan, Battle for
for Panama,
Panama, pp.. 211 211;; and
and Cap
Captt
Powers, "LANs,"
Powers, "LAYs," pp.. 57 57.. RR.. Barry
Barry Cronin,
Cronin, "Military
"Military PolicePolice Operations
Operations iin n
79. Ibid.,
79. Ibid .,p.p .57;
57 ;Franks
Franks intvw,
intvw, p. p . 19.
19 . Panama,"Marine
Panama," Marine Corps Corps Gazette,
Gazette, Sep90, Sep90, pp.pp .67-68.
67-68 .
80. MarForPM,
80. MarForPM, "Sequence of Events,
Events, OpOrd OpOrd5-8 5-89 9 96.
96. "Sequence
"Sequence of of Events,"
Events," p. p . 9;
9 ; and
and Neller
Neller intvw,
"Ghostbuster"/"Just Cause,"
"Ghostbuster"/"Just Cause," 20-23Dec89, p 20-23Dec89, p.. 44 ('just
("Just pp
pp.. 47-48.
47-48 .
Cause" File,
Cause" File, MCHC,
MCHC, Washington,
Washington,DD.C.), hereafterr
.C .), hereafte 97.
97. Richardson
Richardson intvw, intvw, p. p . 24.
24 .
"Sequence of Events Events." ." See also MarForPM ComdC,
See also MarForPM ComdC , 98.
98. Ibid.,
Ibid ., pp.
pp .28-29;
28-29 ; and
and "Sequence Events," pp..
of Events,"
1Ju189-3 1Dec89.
1Ju189-31Dec89 . 99..
81. "Sequence
81. "Sequence of of Events,"
Events," p. p .4; 4 ;and
and Capt
Capt William
William 99.
99. Cline
Cline intvw,
intvw, p. p . 39.
39 .
S. Aitken, "Combat
S . Aitken, "Combat Service Service Support During 100. Madrigan, "Holidays," p p.
100. Madrigan, "Holidays," . 2727; "Sequence ooff
; "Sequence
OperationJust
Operation JustCause,"
Cause," MarineMarine Corps Corps GazetteGazette,, Events,"
Events," p . 13 .p. 13.
Dec90, pp
Dec90, pp..24-25.
24-25 . 101. Killackey intvw,
101. intvw, pp pp.. 26-27
26-27;; and and "Sequence
"Sequenceooff
82. Mauskapf
82. Mauskapf and and Powers,
Powers, "LAYs,"
"LANs," p. p . 58.
58 . Events," pp.. 12.
Events," 12 .
83. CWO-3
83. CWO-3 C. C.W W. Rowe,
Rowe, MarForPM Press Release 102. Ibid.,
102. Ibid .,p. p . 12;
12 ; and
and Madrigan,
Madrigan, "Holidays," pp.. 25 25..
01-90, nn.d.
01-90, ('just Cause"
.d . ("Just Cause" File,File, MCHC, WashingtonWashington,, 103. Capt
103. Capt Blame
Blaine D. D .Vorgang
Vorgang intvw,intvw, 26Apr90, pp.. 8 8
D.C.);
D MajBron
.C .) ; Maj BronN. N.Madrigan,
Madrigan,"How "HowIISpent Spent th thee (Oral History Collection, MCHC,Washington, D.C.), D .C .) ,
Holidays," pp.. 43 (ms, MCHC, Washington, D.C.,
Holidays," D .C . , hereafter VorgangVorgang intvw. intvw.
hereafter Madrigan,
1990), hereafter
1990), Madrigan, "Holidays""Holidays";; an andd 104. Ibid.,
104. Ibid ., pp.pp .11-19.
11-19 .
"Sequence of Events," pp. pp .2-3.
2-3 . 105. Ibid.,
105. Ibid ., pp.pp . 25-26.
25-26 .
84.
84. Madrigan,
Madrigan, "Holidays,"
"Holidays," p. p . 43.
43 . 106.
106. Ibid.,
Ibid .,pp. pp .27-3
27-311..
85. CWO-3
85. CWO-3 C. C.W W. Rowe,
Rowe, MarForPM Press Releas Releasee 107.
107. Otto Otto Kreisler, "Marines, Soldiers
Kreisler, "Marines, Soldiers Hel Help p
09-90, nn.d.
09-90, ('just Cause"
.d . ("Just Cause" File,File, MCHC,
MCHC, Washington,
Washington , Panamanians
Panamanians Pass PassCivics
Civics101," 101," San San Diego
Diego Union
Union,,
D.C.);
D "Sequence of
.C .) ; "Sequence of Events,"
Events,"pp.. 22;; and WO Scot Scottt 2Jan90, pp
2Jan90, pp.A-1, A-18..
.A-1, A-18
Whitney intvw,
Whitney intvw, 17May90,
17May90, pp pp.. 6-10 (Oral (Oral HistorHistoryy 108.
108. Ibid. Ibid .
Collection,
Collection, MCHC, MCHC, Washington,
Washington, DD.C.), hereafter
.C .), hereafter 109.
109. Col Col James M M.. Hayes
Hayes et et al
al.,"Panama
., "Panama Promote
Promot e
Whitney intvw.
Whitney Liberty
Liberty After After ActionAction Report,"
Report," Marine Marine CorpsCorp s
86. Capt
86. Capt Donald
Donald D. D . Cline,
Cline, Untitled Timeline Timeline ooff Gazette, Sep 90, pp.. 59, hereafter Hayes, "Promote
Gazette, "Promot e
Activities for
Activities for Company
CompanyKKinin"Just 'just Cause,"
Cause," 15Jan915Jan900 Liberty."
Liberty ."
("JustCause"
('just Cause"File,File,MCHC,Washington,
MCHC,Washington, D.C.). D .C .) . 110.
110. Ibid.,Ibid ., pp.
pp . 60-61;
60-61 ; and
and LtCol Robert J. Fawcet Fawcettt
87. Mauskapf
87. Mauskapf and and Powers,
Powers, "LAYs,"
"LANs," pp. pp . 57-58;
57-58 ; and an d intvw, 17May90,
intvw, 17May90, pp. pp .221-28,
1-28, 30-330-31 1 (Oral History
"Sequence of Events," pp. 3-5.
pp . 3-5 . Collection, MCHC,
Collection, MCHC,Washington,
Washington,DD.C.), hereafterr
.C .), hereafte
88. CWO-3
88. CWO-3 C. C .W.
W. Rowe, MarForPM Press Release Fawcett intvw
Fawcett intvw;; and MarForPM, Promote Liberty
02-90, nn.d.
02-90, .d . ('just
("JustCause"
Cause"File, File, MCHC,
MCHC, Washington,
Washington , AAR, 17May90
AAR, 17May90 ("Just ("Just Cause" Cause" File, MCHC,,
File, MCHC
D.C.);
D.C .) ; and
and Mauskapf and Powers, "LAVs,"
"LAVs," pp.. 57-58.
pp 57-58 . Washington,
Washington, D D.C.), hereafter MarForPM,
.C .), hereafter MarForPM, Promot Promotee
89.
89. Madrigan,
Madrigan, "Holidays,"
"Holidays," pp.
pp . 9-10.
9-10 . LibertyAAR.
Liberty AAR .
90. Mauskapf
90. Mauskapf and Powers, Powers, "LAVs,""LAVs,"pp.. 58 58;; and
an d 111. COMarForPM
111. COMarForPM msgmsg to LtGen Cook
to LtGen Cook,,
COMarForPM msg
COMarForPM msg to to CG,
CG, FMFLant,
FMFLant,281232ZDec8
281232ZDec89 9 292359ZJan90
292359ZJan90 ("Just ("Just Cause"Cause" File, File, MCHCMCHC,,
('just Cause"
("Just Cause" File,
File, MCHC,Washington,
MCHC, Washington, D.C.). D.C .) . Washington, D.C
Washington, D.C.);.) ; and Richardson intvw, pp.. 38. 38 .
91.
91. "Sequence
"Sequence of ofEvents,"
Events," pp.. 55;; Madrigan Madrigan,, 112. Hayes,
112. Hayes, "Promote "Promote Liberty," Liberty," pp.. 62 and
62;; an d
"Holidays,"
"Holidays," p p.. 11;
11 ; and COMarForPM
COMarForPM msg
msg to LtGe
to LtGenn Richardson intvw, intvw, pp.. 13 13.. See also Whitney intvw. intvw.
Cook, 281232ZDec89
Cook, 281232ZDec89 ('Just ('just Cause" File, MCHC MCHC,, 113. Hayes, "Promote
113. "Promote Liberty,"
Liberty," pp pp.. 58-59
58-59;; anandd
Washington, D.C.).
Washington, D.C .) . MarForPM ComdC, ComdC ,
92.
92. Maj Donald D.
Maj Donald D . Cline intvw,
inmv, 25Mar90,
25Mar90, p p.. 27
27 lJan9O-3OJun9O,
1Jan90-30Jun90, pp pp.. 9-10.
9-10 .
(Oral History Collection, MCHC,Washington, D.C.); D .C .) ; 114.
114. lstLtlstLtBrian
BrianK. K.Foster
Fosterintvw,
intvw, 16May90,
16May90, pp. pp . 10-
10-
and "Sequence of Events," p. p . 8.
8. 20 (Oral
20 (Oral History
History Collection,
Collection, MCHC, MCHC, Washington
Washington,,
93. Ibid., pp.7-8.
93. Ibid ., pp .7-8 . D.C.),
D .C .), hereafter Foster intvw. intvw .

41
41


115.
115. Hayes, "Promote
"Promote Liberty,"
Liberry" pp.61.
. 61 . 231301ZJun90 ('Just
231301ZJun90 Cause" File,
("Just Cause" MCHC,,
File, MCHC
Foster intvw, p.
116. Foster
116. p . 20.
20 . Washington, D.C.).
D .C .) .
117. Ibid
117. Ibid.,p.27.
., p . 27 . 119. Fawcett intvw,
119 . Fawcett intvw, p.p .411
411See
Seealso:
also COMarForPM
: COMarForPM
118. USCinCSo
118. USCinCSo msg to to CMC,
CMC, 151615ZJun90
151615ZJun90("Just('Just msg toto LtGen
LtGen Cook,
Cook, 281232ZDec89
281232ZDec89 ("Just ("Just Cause
Cause""
Cause' File,
Cause" File, MCHC,Washington,
MCHC,Washington, D.C.);D .C .) ;CG,
CG, FMFLant
FMFLant File, MCHC,
MCHC,Washington,
Washington, D D.C.).
.C .) .

42
 Appendix
Appendix A
A
Troop List
List

Marine Forces Panam

Marine Forces Panamaa
Command Elemen
Command Elementt

Marine Corps
Marine Corps Security
Security Force
Force Company,
Company, Panam
Panamaa

Platoons detached
Platoons detached from
from First
First Fleet
Fleet Anti-Terrorist
Anti-Terrorist Security
Security Force
Force Company
Company,,

Force Battalion,Atlanti
Marine Corps Security Force Battalion,Atlanticc

Detachments, Brigade
Detachments, Brigade Service
Service Support
SupportGroup-
Group-6
6

Ground Combat Element

Company I,I, 3d
Company 3d Battalion,
Battalion, 4th
4th Marines
Marines(6Apr88-10Ju188
(6Apr88-10Ju188))

Company L,
Company L, 3d
3d Battalion,
Battalion, 4th
4thMarines
Marines(6Jul88-5Oct88
(6Jul88-50ct88))

Company M,
Company M, 3d
3d Battalion,
Battalion, 8th
8thMarines
Marines(29Sep88-13Jan89
(295ep88-13Jan89))

Battalion, 6th
Company C, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines
Marines (3Jan89-18Apr89
(3Jan89-18Apr89))

Company B,
Company B, 1st
1st Battalion,
Battalion, 6th Marines (10Apr89-7Ju189)
(lOApr89-7Ju189)

Company L, 3d Battalion, 6th Marines (7Ju189-100ct89

(7Ju189-10Oct89and
and9Apr89-1 3Jun90))
9Apr89-13Jun90

Battalion, 6th
Company K, 3d Battalion, 6th Marines
Marines (8Oct89-1Feb90
(80ct89-lFeb9O))

Company I, 3d Battalion, 6th Marines (28Dec89-8Apr9O)

Company (28Dec89-8Apr90 )

LA! Battalion (12May89-6Aug89

Company A, 2d LAI (12May89-6Aug89))

LA! Battalion
Company B, 2d LAI Battalion (7Aug89-6Nov89)
(7Aug89-6Nov89)

Company D,
Company D, 2d
2d LAI
LA! Battalion
Battalion (26Oct89-14Feb90)
(260ct89-l4Feb9O)

LA! Battalion
Company C, 2d LAI Battalion (13Feb90-13Jun90
(l3Feb9O-13Jun90))

43
 Appendix B
Appendix B
Panamaa
Command and Staff, Marine Forces Panam

Commanding Office
Commanding Officerr

Col William
Col WilliamJJ. Conley-6Apr88-50ct88
. Conley-6Apr88-5Oct88
Cot Thomas W. Roberts—50ct88-2
Col 3Mar89
Roberts-5Oct88-23Mar89
Col James J.
J . Doylc,Jr.—24Mar89-16Sep89
Doyle, Jr.-24Mar89-16Sep8 9
Col Charles
Col Charles E.
E .Richardson—17Sep89-5Mar9O
Richardson-17Sep89-5Mar90
Cot James
Col James M.
M .Hayes—6Mar9O-2 3Jun90
Hayes-6Mar90-23Jun90

Executive Office
Executive Officerr

Col James
JamesM.
M .Puckett— 1Jun88-8Ju 188
Puckett-1Jun88-8Ju18 8
LtCol Walter W. Shallcross—9Ju188-l
LtCol 6Sep88
Shallcross-9Ju188-16Sep88
LtCoI Martin R.
LtCol R . Berndt—17Sep88-12May89
Berndt-17Sep88-12May8 9
LtCol Sands
LtCol Sands A
A.. Rohnic- 1 3Mar89-24May899
Robnic-13Mar89-24May8
LtCol Larry G.
LtCol G .Ctarke—25May89-1 2Nov89
Clarke-25May89-12Nov8 9
LtCol Slade
Slade A.
A .Brewer— 13Nov89- 1 5Apr900
Brewer-13Nov89-15Apr9
LtCot James
LtCol James Q.
Q .Butter, Jr.-16Apr90-23Jun9 0
Butler,Jr.—l6Apr9O-23jun9()

S-3
S- 3

Col Donald FF .Anderson—6Apr88-30May88

.Anderson-6Apr88-30May8 8
LtCol Edward
LtCol . Ball111—3
EdwardJ.JBall III-31May88-28Jul8
lMay88-28Jul888
A.. Denautt—29Jut88-23Aug88
Maj Bruce A Denault-29Ju188-23Aug8 8
Maj Jack K.
Maj K . Sparks,
Sparks, Jr.—24Aug88-30Aug88
Jr.-24Aug88-30Aug88
LtCol William
LtCol William K.
K. Jones,
Jones, Jr.-3
Jr.-3 lAug88-26
lAug88-26Nov88
Nov88
Maj Alfred
Maj AlfredEE.. Clarkson,
Ctarkson,Jr.-27Nov88-27Feb89
Jr.-27Nov88-27Feb8 9
LtCot
LtCol John D
D.. Winchester-28Feb89-1 8Jun899
Winchester-28Feb89-18Jun8
LtCol Edward
LtCol Edward J.J .Robeson
RobesonIV— 1 9Jun89-65ep89
IV-19Jun89-6Sep89
LtCot Michael
LtCol Michael J.
J .Franks—75ep89-2 3Feb900
Franks-7Sep89-23Feb9
LtCot Robert J.
LtCol J. Fawcett—24Feb90-23Jun9()
Fawcett-24Feb90-23Jun9 0

Commanding Officer,
Commanding Officer, Marine
Marine Corps
Corps Security
Security Force
Force Compan
Companyy

Maj Eddie A.
Maj A. Keith—6Apr88-8Ju188
Keith-6Apr88-8Ju18 8
11stl.t
stLt Glen
Glen Alberto-9Ju188-4Aug8
Athcrto—9Ju188-4Aug888
Maj Robert
Maj Robert B.
B .Nelle—5AugS9-23Jun9()
Nelle-5Aug89-23Jun9 0

44
 Company Commander
Company Commanderss

1,3/4:
Company I, 3/4 : Capt
Capt Joseph
Joseph P Valore, 6Apr88-10Ju18
6Apr88-1QJuI888
Company L, 3/4
3/4:: Capt
Capt Dale
Dale L.
L .Davidson,
Davidson, 6Ju188-50ct88
6Ju188-5Oct8 8
M, 3/8
Company M, 3/8:: Capt Byron G.G . Richardson, 29Sep88-13jan89
Richardson, 29Sep88-13Jan8 9
Company C,
Company C, 1/6:
1/6 :Capt
CaptWilliam
WilliamL.L .Miller,
Miller, Jr., 3Jan89-18Apr89
1/6:: Capt
Company B, 1/6 Capt Edward
Edward j.J .Moss,
Moss,lOApr89-7Jul89
10Apr89-7Jul89
Company L,
Company L, 3/6
3/6:: Capt Daniel
Daniel E.
E . Liddell, 7Ju189-100ct89
Liddell, 7Ju189-10Oct8 9
Company K,
K, 3/6
3/6:: Capt Donald I).
D . Kline, 80ct89-iFeh9O
Kline, 8Oct89-1Feb90
Company I, 3/6:
3/6 : Capt
CaptBlame
Blaine1).Vorgang,
D . Vorgang,28Dcc89-8Apr9()
28Dec89-8Apr9 0
Company
Company L, 3/6: Capt William L. Blair II, 9Apr9O-l3Jun9O
3/6 : Capt William L . Blair II, 9Apr90-13Jun9 0

Light Amphibious Infantry

Infantry Company Commanders

CompanyA:
Company A : Capt
Capt StephenJ.
Stephen JLinder,
. Linder,12May89-6Aug89
12May89-6Aug8 9
Company B
Company B:: Capt John S.
S .Dunn,
Dunn, 7Aug89-6Nov89
7Aug89-6Nov8 9
Company D
Company D:: Capt
Capt Gerald
Gerald H.
H . Gaskins, 260ct89-l4Feb9O
Gaskins, 26Oct89-14Feb90
Company C : Capt Richard R . Huizenga, l3Feb9O-13Jun9()
Company C: Capt Richard R. Huizenga, 13Feb90-13Jun9 0

45


Appendix C
Appendix C
Chronology

19888
198

February Noriega indicted in U.S.

Noriega U .S . by federal
federal grand
grand juries
juries;; unrest
unrest in Panama.
Panama .

14 March Platoon from

from Fleet
Fleet Anti-Terrorist
Anti-Terrorist Security
Security Team
Team Company
Companyreinforces
reinforcesMarin
Marinee
Security Force Company (MCSF) Panama.
Panama .

66 April
April 300 additional Marines, including a rifle company, arrive in Panama to furthe
furtherr
enhance the security of Rodman Naval Station
Station..

12 April First major

First major firefight
firefight in
in Arraijan
Arraijan Tank
TankFarm
Farmoccurs
occursbetween
betweenMarines
Marinesan
and
d
Panamanian troops
Panamanian troops..

25 April
25 Southern Command
Southern Command activates
activates Area
Area of
of Operation
OperationPacific
PacificWest,
West,giving
givingMarin
Marinee
Forces Panama
Forces Panama authority over all Marines in Panama,
Panama, as well
well as
as Army
Army military
military
police and infantry units, to provide security for Rodman, Howard, and sur-
rounding American facilities
facilities..

31 October Major firefight occurs between Marines and Panamanians in the tank farm
farm..

19899
198

May
77 May Noriega supporters loselose national
national elections
elections;; further unrest and challenges
challenges ttoo
U.S. forces, especially to their
U .S . forces, especially to their freedom of movement.
movement .

12 May AdditionalUU.S.
Additional reinforcements, including
.S . reinforcements, including aa Marine
Marine light
light amphibious
amphibiousinfantr
infantry
y
company (LAJ), Panama..
(LAI), arrive in Panama

22 July
22 The Joint
The Joint Chiefs
Chiefs of
of Staff
Staff issue
issue National
National Security
Security Directive
Directive 17
17 directing
directing Souther
Southernn
Command to
Command to assert
assert freedom
freedom ofof movement
movement rights.
rights .

33 October
October Panama Defense
Panama Defense Force
Force (PDF)
(PDF) dissidents
dissidentsstage
stagean
anabortive
abortivecoup
coupagainst
againstNoriega
Noriega..

October-December U.S.. forces

U.S forces update
update plans
plans for
for military
military action
action against
against Noriega
Noriega and
and the
the PDF
PDE.

16 December
16 December lstLt Robert
1stLt Robert Paz, USMC, killed by the PDF at a roadblock in Panama
Panama City
City..

20 December D-Day for

D-Day for Operation
OperationJust
JustCause
Cause;; Marine
Marine Forces
Forces Panama
Panama secures
secures the
the wester
westernn
approaches to
approaches to Panama City.
City.

24 December Noriega seeks

Noriega seeks refuge
refuge in
in the
the Papal Nunciatura in
in Panama
Panama City
City..

46


1990
199 0

33 January Noriega surrenders

Noriega surrenders to
to U.S.
U .S . forces
force s

January-April U.S.. forces

U.S forces participate
participate in
in nation-building
nation-building under Operation Promote Liberty.
Liberty .

13 June
13 Except for
Except for MCSF
MCSF Marines,
Marines, Marine
Marine Forces
Forces Panama
Panama embarks
embarks on
on board
board shipping
shipping..

23 June Marine Forces Panama dissolved.

dissolved .

47
47
 Appendix D
Appendix D
Commendation
Unit Commendatio n

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION ttoo
Marine Forces Panam
Panamaa
for service as set forth in the following

CITATION::
CITATION
For exceptionally
For exceptionally meritorious
meritorious service
service during
during the
the volatile
volatilepolitical
politicalcrisis
crisisand
andcombat
combatoperations
operationsi inn
Panama fromfrom 11 April
April 1988
1988 to
to 13
13 June
June 1990
1990.. Rapidly deployed to Panama during the attempted cou coupp
against the
against the Noriega regime, Marine
Marine Forces
Forces Panama immediately found found itself
itself repelling armed
armed intrusions
intrusions int
intoo
the Arraijan Tank Farm,
Farm, several
several of
of which
which resulted
resulted in
in vicious
viciousexchanges
exchangesof ofsmall
smallarms
armsfire
fire.. As the political
situation worsened,
worsened, the
the Marines
Marines exhibited
exhibited superb
superb discipline
discipline and
and courage
courage during
duringnearly
nearly50 50freedom
freedomooff
movement operations.
movement operations . These critical operations often confronted armed civil and Panamanian Defensee
Defens
Force opposition, butbut were
were essential
essential toto the
the protection
protectionof ofAmerican
Americanlives
livesand
andproperty
property.. During
DuringOperatio
Operationn
JUST CAUSE, Marine Forces Panama Panama conducted
conducted combat
combat operations
operations against
against vastly
vastly superior
superior forces
forces ove
overr
extended areas to secure the western approaches
approaches to to Howard
Howard AirAir Force
Force Base
Base and
andkey
keyPanama
PanamaCanalCanalDefens
Defensee
Sites.
Sites . In the ensuing months, Marine Forces Panama ranged throughout Panama, restoring
ensuing months, Marine Forces Panama ranged throughout Panama, restoring law and orde law and orderr
and rebuilding Panama's shattered countryside
countryside.. By By their inspiring courage, superior resourcefulness,
resourcefulness, an andd
loyal devotion to duty, the officers and enlisted personnel of Marine Forces Panama reflected great credi creditt
upon themselves and
upon themselves and upheld
upheld the
the highest
highest traditions
traditions ofof the
the Marine
Marine Corps
Corps andand the
the United
United States
States Naval
Nava l
Service.
Service .

H.. Lawrence Garrett, II

Is! H
/s/ IIII
Secretary of the Navy

48
48
 Index

A-7 Corsairs, 2266 Foster, lstLt

Foster, istLt Brian K
K.,
., 337
7
AC-130 Spector, 8, 10, 2244 Franks, LtCol
Franks, LtColMichael
MichaelJJ., 17,23,
., 17, 23, 229
9
Aitken, Capt William SS.,., USA, 24,24,32
32
American Embassy, 19-20,
19-20, 2222 Gallardo, lstLt
Gallardo, istLt Danilo, 227 7
Arenas, 3388 Gaskins, Capt
Gaskins, Capt Gerald
Gerald H H.,., 18,
18, 20,20,22-24,
22-24, 26 26
Arraijan, 17-20,
17-20, 22-23,
22-23, 26-27,
26-27, 29,
29,35-3
35-36
6 Giroldi, Maj
Giroldi, MajMoises,
Moises,116 6
Arraijan TankFarm,
Arraijan Tank Farm,2,2,4,8,
4, 8, 11-12, 330
0 Gnecknow, RAdm Jerry
Gnecknow, Jerry G., G .,USN, 6, 110
USN, 6, 0
Azuero Peninsula,
Peninsula, 37-3
37-388 Goessman, 2dLt
Goessman, 2dLt Thomas H H.,., 119
9
Gorgas Army
Gorgas Army Community
Community Hospital,
Hospital, 7, 7, 1199
Beirut, Lebanon, 66
Beirut, Gray, Gen
Gray, Gen Alfred
Alfred M
M.,
., 220
0
Bernius, Sgt Thomas P, 22-2
22-233
Blue Spoon
Blue Spoon Plan,
Plan,117
7 Hayes, Col
Hayes, Col James
James M
M.,., 337
7
Bridge of the Americas, 17, 20 HowardAir ForceBase,
Howard Air Force Base,2,2,9, 14,17,
9, 14, 17,20,25,36
20, 25, 3 6
Huizenga, Capt Richard R., 37
Huizenga, 37
C-i 41 Starlifter, 1144
C-141 Hurt, Capt John E.,
E ., 26
C-5 Galaxy,
Galaxy 1144
Cerro Galera, 2 255 Isaak, Cpl Garreth C.,
C ., 22-23
22-2 3
Chessani, 2dLt Jeffrey, R., 2255
Chirique, 3377 Joint Chiefs of Staff, 14-16,
14-16, 2200
Cisneros, MajGen Marc Marc A.,
A .,USA,
USA, 220
0 Joint Task
Task Force
ForcePanama,
Panama,6,6,19-20,
19-20,30,
30,35,38
35, 3 8
Clarkson, Maj Alfred E, 8 JointTask ForceSouth,
Joint Task Force South,17,17,26,29-30,32,35
26, 29-30, 32, 3 5
Coclecito, 3388 Jungle Warfare Training Center, 1133
Commandancia, 19,
Commandancia, 19, 2244
Conley Col
Conley, Col William J.,J ., 5-11
5-1 1 Keith, Maj
Keith, Maj Eddie
EddieAA., 2,6
., 2, 6
Cook, LtGen
Cook, LtGenErnest
ErnestT,T ., 66 Killackey, lstLt
Killackey, istLt Robert E, 16, 3322
Cooper, Sgt Michael A
Cooper, A.,., 8-9
Cortizo, Capt Moises, 8
Cortizo, La Chorerra,
La Chorerra, 18,
18, 26,
26, 229 9
Cronin, Capt
Cronin, Capt R R.. Barry
Barry, 3355 Lascano, Mayor
Lascano, Mayor Mario,
Mario, 37 37
Crowe, Adm William J.,
Crowe, J ., USN,
USN, 112
2 Lejeune, Maj John A
Lejeune, A.,., 11
Curtis, Lt
Curtis, LtAdamJ.,
Adam J .,USN,
USN, 119 9 Loeffke, MajGen
Loeffke, MajGen Bernard,
Bernard,USA, USA,8,8,10-1
10-111

David, 337
David, 7 Madrigan, Maj Bron N
Madrigan, N.,., 117
7
Delvalle, President
Delvalle, President Eric Arturo, 2 Marine Barracks,
Marine Barracks, Rodman,
Rodman,Canal CanalZone,
Zone,1,1,9, 15, 17
9, 15, 17 -
DeTreux, lstLt
DeTreux, lstLt Kenneth
Kenneth M M.,., 118
8 18,22,24
18, 22, 2 4
DignityBattalions,
Dignity Battalions,1,1,27,29,33,
27, 29, 33, 335
5 Marine Corps
Marine Corps Commands and Unit Unitss
Directorate of Traffic and Transportation Statio
Directorate Stationn 11th Marine
11th Marine Expeditionary
Expeditionary Unit (MEU), 2200
No.. 2, 19-20, 22-2
No 22-233 2d Force Service Support Group, Group, 55
2d Marine Division, 55
Endara, President
Endara, President Guillermo,
Guillermo, 332
2 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, 8
Exercise Purple
Exercise Purple Blitz,
Blitz, 1100 4th Civil
4th Civil Affairs
Affairs Group,
Group, 36 36
Exercise Purple
Exercise Purple Storm,
Storm,1100 6th Marine
6th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, 4, 55
6th Marines,
6th Marines, 1122
Fawcett, LtCol Robert J.,
Fawcett, J., 338
8 Brigade Service
Brigade Service Support
Support GroupGroup 6,
6, 5,
5, 20
20
Fifteenth Naval
Fifteenth Naval District,
District, 11 Company A, 2d LAI Battalion,
Battalion, 14,
14, 1166
Ford, Vice
Ford, Vice President-elect
President-elect Guillermo,
Guillermo, 1144 Company B, B, 2d LAI Battalion,
Battalion, 1166
Fort Amador,
Fort Amador, 1155 Company C, 2d LAI LAI Battalion,
Battalion, 3377
Fort Kobbe,
Fort Kobbe, 117
7 Company D, 2d LAI LAJ Battalion, 18-20, 22-23, 26-27
Fort McCoy,
Fort McCoy,Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, 6 Company
Company I, I, 3d
3d Battalion,
Battalion,4th 4thMarines,
Marines,6,6,7,7,10,
10,1ii1
Fort Sherman, 13
Fort Company I, 3d Battalion, 6th Marines, 20, 20, 32,
32, 3333

49
49
 Company K, 3d Battalion, 6th Marines, 24, 27, 29-3 29-300 Rio Sereno, 3377
Company L, 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, 10-1 10-111 Roberts, ColThomasW,
Roberts, Col Thomas W., 12
12
Company M, 3d Battalion, 8th Marines, 1111
Fleet Anti-Terrorist
Fleet Anti-Terrorist Security
SecurityTeam
TeamCompany,
Compan) 2, 44,, Sand Flea
Sand Flea Operations,
Operations, 15-1
15-188
6, 20,
6, 20, 23-24,
23-24, 26,
26, 29-30,
29-30, 3322 Santiago, 337
Santiago, 7
Marme Force, Atlantic, 55
Fleet Marine Serrano, Lt Reuben Dario, 224
Serrano, 4
Corps Security
Marine Corps Security Force
Force Company,
Compan) Panama,
Panama, 11 Sieiro, Maj
Sieiro, Maj Manuel,
Manuel, 116
6
Battalion, Atlantic,
Marine Corps Security Force Battalion, Atlantic, 22 Sierra Minon,
Sierra Minon, 25
25
Panama, 6-3
Marine Forces Panama, 6-377 Sona, 337
Sona, 7
Marine Security
Security Force
Force Company,
Compan) 20, 24, 27, 30, 33, 33, 3388 SouthernCommand,
Southern Command,1,1,4-5,4-5,7,7,9-11,
9-11,14,14,16,19
16, 1 9
Miraflores Lock, 24
Miraflores Lock, 2 4 Stanaland, Capt Steve, USA, 3355
Stiner, LtGen
LtGen Carl
CariW,
W., USA, 17,26
USA, 17, 26
National Police,
National Police, 336
6 Sutton, Col Russell H.,
H ., 13, 322
13, 3
National Security
National Security Directive
Directive 17,17, 1155
Naval Ammunition
Naval AmmunitionDepot,
Depot,4-1 4-10
0 Task Force Cronin,
Cronin, 3355
Neller, Maj
Neller, Maj Robert
Robert BB., 22, 330
., 22, 0 Task Force Gator, 19-20, 24, 33 33
Nevgloski, lstSgt
Nevgloski, lstSgt Alexander JJ.,., 8 Task Force
Force Semper
Semper Fi,
Fi, 1177
Noriega, Gen
Noriega, Gen Manuel
Manuel Antonio,
Antonio, 1-2,
1-2, 9-10,
9-10, 14,
14, 16,
16, 18
18,, Thurman, Gen Maxwell R.,
Thurman, R ., USA, 17,25
USA, 17, 25
20,24,
20, 24, 30, 32-33, 35, 3377 Torrijos, Gen Omar, 11
Torrijos,
Nuevo Arraijan,
Nuevo Arraijan, 27,
27, 32-3
32-333 Trenton, 3388
Nuevo Emperador,
Nuevo Emperador, 18, 3322 Twentynine Palms,
Twentynine Palms, California,
California, 6
Nuevo Guarare,
Nuevo Guarare,118 8
U.S.
U Army Commands
.S . Army Commands and and Unit
Unitss
OA-37Dragonfly,
OA-37 Dragonfl) 226 6
16th Military
Military Police
Police Brigade,
Brigade, 2299
16th
Operation Big
Operation Big Show,
Show,1155
1st Battalion,
1st Battalion,508th
508thInfantry,
InfantrT 1122
Operation Chisum,
Chisurn, 1188
2d Battalion, 27th Regiment, 7th 7th Infantry
Infantry Division,
Division, 29
29
Operation Elaborate Maze, 2, 4- 4-55
3d Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Group, 9
Operation Hippocrates,
Operation Hippocrates, 1155
519th Military Police
Police Battalion,
Battalion, 1100
Operation Just Cause, 9-10, 3355
534th Military
Military Police
PoliceCompany,
Compan)ç17, 17,29
29
Operation Lola, 1166
536th Engineer Battalion,
Battalion, 1177
Operation Promote Liberty,
Operation Promote Liberty 35-3
35-366
7th Infantry
7th Infantry Division
Division (Light),
(Light), 17,
17, 30,
30, 3355
Operation Rabbit
Rabbit Hunt,
Hunt, 1122
Operation Rough
Rough Rider,
Rider, 1188 82d Airborne
82d Airborne Division,
Division, 1177
Operation Texas
Texas Rangers,
Rangers, 3377 96th Civil
96th Civil Affairs
Affairs Brigade,
Brigade, 3355
Operation Westward
Westward Ho, Ho, 15-1
15-16 Company
Company B, B, 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment
Regiment,,
6
10-111
10-1
OV-10 Bronco, 55
Company B,
Company B, 2d
2d Battalion,
Battalion, 27th
27th Infantry,
Infantry, 3300
Pan-American Highway,
Higl1wa) 17-18, 20, 23, 26, 3300 UU.S.Army South, 1,8-
.S .Army South, 1,8-99
Panama Canal Treaty,
TreatT 11 XVIII Airborne
Airborne Corps,
Corps, 17,
17,35
35
PanamaCity,
Panama City 1,
1, 16,
16,19,
19,22
22 U.S. Naval Station
U.S . Naval StationPanama
PanamaCanal,
Canal,1,1,66
PanamanianDefense
Panamanian DefenseForces,
Forces,1,1,4,7-8, 11-12, 14-15
4, 7-8, 11-12, 14-15,, U.S.
U .S . Naval Submarine Base, Coco Solo, 11
18-20, 22, 24-27,
24-27, 29-30,
29-30, 32,32, 35-3
35-366 U.S.
U .S . Navy South, 6
10th Military
10th Military Zone,
Zone, 226 6 UH-1 Huey, 1111
6th Panamanian
6th PanamanianDefense
DefenseForceForceCompany,
Cornpan)116 6
7th Panamanian
Panamanian Defense
DefenseForce ForceCompany,
Con1pan)116 6 Vaca Monte,
Vaca Monte, 17,
17, 30,
30, 32,
32, 3355
7th Rifle
Rifle Company,
Company,'Macho Monte,"110
"Macho de Monte," 0 Valore, Capt
Valore, Capt Joseph
Joseph P.,
P, 6,
6,8-9
8-9
Papal Nunciatura,
Papal Nunciatura, 32-3
32-333 Veracruz, 17,
Veracruz, 17, 20,
20, 25,
25, 29,
29, 32,
32, 336
6
Paredes, Rigoberto, 24, 3322
Paredes, Villahermosa, Cpl Ricardo M.,
Villahermosa, M ., 7-8
7-8
Paz, lstLt
Paz, lstLt Robert, 19, 220 0 VistaAllegre,
Vista Allegre,18,
18,27,33
27, 3 3
Pellow SSgt
Pellow SSgt Michael
Michael S5.,., 224
4 Volcan, 337
Volcan, 7
Powell, Gen Cohn
Powell, Colin L.,
L .,USA,
USA, 17,17, 220
0 Vorgang, Capt
Vorgang, Capt Blaine
Blame DD., 32-33,35
., 32-33, 35

Richardson, Col Charles E.,

Richardson, E ., 17-20,
17-20, 26, 29-30, 32,
32, 336
6 Woerner, Gen
Woerner, Gen Frederick
FrederickF,
F.,USA,
USA, 5,
5, 7, 114
4
Rio Hato,
Rio Hato, 37,
37, 338
8
Rio Potrero,
Rio Potrero, 18 XVIII Airborne
XVIII Airborne Corps
CorpsOp
OpPlan
Plan90-2,
90-2,17,
17,20
20

50
50
The device
The device reproduced
reproducedononthe theback
backcover
coverisis
the oldest military
military insignia
insigniainincontinuous
continuous
use in the
use the United
United States.
States .ItItfirst appappeared
first eared as
shownon
shown onMarine
MarineCorps
Corpsbuttons
buttons adopted
adopted inin
1804.. With
1804 the stars changed
With the changed toto five
five points,
the device
device hashas continued
continued on on Marine
Marine Corps
Corps
buttons to the
buttons to the present
present day.
day .