Operation Just Cause
Security Police secure Tocumen Airport
Security Specialist SSGT ALEXANDER ORTEGA. On a patrol boat.
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Operation JUST CAUSE, the U.S. invasion of Panama in December 1989, brought a quick and decisive end to the dictatorial regime of General Manuel Antonio Noriega, the country‘s political strongman and commander of the Panamanian Defense Forces. Approximately 27,000 American troops hit twenty-seven targets in Panama on December 20, achieving most of the stated combat objectives within hours. Of these targets, many were located in Panama‘s two principal cities, Colón and Panama City, thereby providing the U.S. military its first significant experience in urban operations since Vietnam. Again, Security Police units were tasked with securing landing strips. Those units also participated in drug interdiction and humanitarian relief.
Sergeant Sean P. Davis of Langley AFB‘s 1st SPS was assigned to Albrook AB as part of the defense for HQ U.S. Southern Command. As the invasion of Panama City began, Sergeant Davis and an assistant gunner were posted with an M-60 machine gun on the second floor of a building overlooking one of Albrook‘s two entry gates. All of a sudden, Sergeant Davis later recalled, we saw this car with a PDF badge pull up and someone inside the vehicle started shooting at the gate guards. Responding to his training, Sergeant Davis in what wasn't a conscious thought‖ flipped off the safety and engaged the vehicle with 7.62mm rounds as his assistant gunner fired from an adjoining window with his M-16. They really didn't have much hope, Sergeant Davis observed. The next morning Sergeant Davis‘s assistant went outside to take a look and called to Sergeant Davis to come outside. Looking up at the window from where he had been firing his M-60, Sergeant Davis saw bullet holes all around it. "I had seen the tracers," Sergeant Davis admitted, "but I never gave it a thought." For his actions that evening, Davis received a Bronze Star. |
Personal Experiences
From Keith Meins
"The 363rd out of Shaw was the first team into Panama - well before the invasion. We were actually scheduled for Jungle school when we got recalled and were handed combat loads of ammo, claymores ... We were briefed on the change of plans as we were pointed to the back end of a C-130 Situation brief was given by General Warner himself SouthCom CC. Not just the welcome -- the entire brief. Our 0-5 had an oh shit moment realizing it was really a big deal when the 4 star gave the entire brief. the 363rd out of Shaw was the first team into Panama - well before the invasion.The Army and Marines were put into garrison. The 363rd provided an ABGD team that secured locations up and down the canal and worked with the gunships to provide over watch of Howard. More teams poured in several weeks after the 363rd. Once the invasion hit the SPs pulled back inside the garrison and the Army / Marines went to work
I personally spent 97 days in the jungle. Initially on a mountain top overlooking Howard to work with the gunships. The 363rd was steadily pushed deeper into the jungle as more USAF teams arrived. Eventually we had the entire canal covered. I think this was the first test of using SPs in a combat role, replacing the army and marines while negotiations were continuing. The SPs were the units of choice to provide a combat capability if needed, while better suited / trained to avoid an international incident.
SPs were the only units allowed to be locked and loaded. Army and Marines had to secure ammo in sealed cans The roles reversed when the actual invasion took place. By that time Howard was a regular rotation for ABGD teams throughout TAC."
"The 363rd out of Shaw was the first team into Panama - well before the invasion. We were actually scheduled for Jungle school when we got recalled and were handed combat loads of ammo, claymores ... We were briefed on the change of plans as we were pointed to the back end of a C-130 Situation brief was given by General Warner himself SouthCom CC. Not just the welcome -- the entire brief. Our 0-5 had an oh shit moment realizing it was really a big deal when the 4 star gave the entire brief. the 363rd out of Shaw was the first team into Panama - well before the invasion.The Army and Marines were put into garrison. The 363rd provided an ABGD team that secured locations up and down the canal and worked with the gunships to provide over watch of Howard. More teams poured in several weeks after the 363rd. Once the invasion hit the SPs pulled back inside the garrison and the Army / Marines went to work
I personally spent 97 days in the jungle. Initially on a mountain top overlooking Howard to work with the gunships. The 363rd was steadily pushed deeper into the jungle as more USAF teams arrived. Eventually we had the entire canal covered. I think this was the first test of using SPs in a combat role, replacing the army and marines while negotiations were continuing. The SPs were the units of choice to provide a combat capability if needed, while better suited / trained to avoid an international incident.
SPs were the only units allowed to be locked and loaded. Army and Marines had to secure ammo in sealed cans The roles reversed when the actual invasion took place. By that time Howard was a regular rotation for ABGD teams throughout TAC."
