The Republic of Panama 20-27 December 1989

February Planning for the Panama contingency began in February 1988, including a series of orders that addressed the defense of the Old Canal Zone, noncombatant evacuation, neutralization of the Panamanian Defense Forces (PDF), and Civil Military Operations (CMO). The operation plan (PLAN) for offensive operations became PLAN BLUE SPOON.

10 May Panamanian Presidential candidate Guillermo Endara's apparent 7 May victory in Panama's Presidential elections was stolen when the elections were annulled by GEN Manual A. Noriega's influence over the National Assembly.

August, exact date unknown The 401st MP Company, 720th MP Battalion (Fort Hood, Texas) under the command of CPT Steven S. Rathburn, was deployed to the Republic of Panama as part of a four month security rotation.

In Panama they were first assigned subordinate to the 504th MP Battalion (Fort Lewis, Washington), and later to the 519th MP Battalion (Fort Meade, Maryland), who would replace the 504th.

504th

519th

        The Company performed law enforcement, manned static security posts, jungle patrol, VIP security and short notice Quick Reaction Force (QRF) operations. They also picked up armed mail escorts to Torrijos International Airport, and 24 hour patrols of primary routes between U.S. military installations.

September The Joint Task Force South (JTFSO), revised PLAN BLUE SPOON. It was changed from BLUE SPOON to PLAN 90-2.

3 October The crushed coup attempt by Major Moisés Giroldi Vega, formerly a close supporter of General Noriega, and the immediate execution of the coup participants, caused PLAN 90-2 to be updated when the PDF displayed the capability to quickly reinforce units in Panama City.

        The Company was required to post heavily armed platoons from the company to provide hasty defensive perimeters around the Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) headquarters, as well as the American high school in Panama City.

November As the result of a car bomb threat from the Medellin Drug Cartell agsinst U.S. interest, the company worked long hours of searches and machinegun overwatch positions at U.S. installation gates.

17 November, Thanksgiving Day The military dependants at Fort Clayton went out of their way to ease the pain of the members of the company who were now separated from their families and loved ones.

15 December The National Assembly of Panama elected GEN Noriega as President, declared that a state of war existed with the United States and adopted measures to confront foreign aggression.

16 December The Company was scheduled to end their rotation duty and return home to Fort Hood, Texas so they packed up their gear and equipment.

On the same day Pamanaian Defense Forces at a road block in Panama City shot and killed LT Robert Pazz (U.S. Marines) and badly beat a U.S. Navy Lieutenant and his wife.

        The regime of General Manuel Antonio Noriega, the Republic of Panama's head of state, corrupted by the international Medellin Drug Cartel (Colombia), was barely clinging to power. Deserted by all but a small number of cronies, and distrustful of a shaken and demoralized PDF, GEN Noriega began increasingly to rely on his irregular paramilitary Dignity Battalion's (DIGBAT's) to suppress governmental and civilian decent. The DIGBATs were also running unchecked in the capital city and conducting kidnappings, rapes, robberies and murders at will. The regime's paranoia made daily existence unsafe for U.S. forces, citizens and all other foreign nationals.

President George H. W. Bush decided it was time to remove GEN Noriega from power and restore a democratic goverfnment in Panama. The administration also offered several additional reasons to launch an armed invasion of a sovereign country including, danger to U.S. interests under rights created by the Panama Canal Treaty, and drug-running charges against GEN Noriega pending in U.S. federal court.

17 December The National Command Authority (NCA) directed the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) to execute PLAN 90-2, Code Name: Operation Just Cause.

18 December Joint Task Force South (JTFSO) received the JCS execute order with a D-Day and H-Hour of 20 December 0100 Hours [1:00 AM] local. The operation was to be conducted as a campaign with limited military objectives.

The objectives in PLAN 90-2 (Operation Just Cause) were to:

A. Protect U.S. lives and key sites and facilities.
B. Capture and deliver Noriega to competent authority.
C. Neutralize PDF forces.
D. Neutralize PDF command and control.
E. Support establishment of a U.S.-recognized government in Panama.
F. Restructure the PDF.

        At Fort's Bragg, Benning, Polk, Hood, Stewart and Ord, D-Day forces were alerted, marshaled, and scheduled to launch on a fleet of 148 aircraft.

        The Company, awaiting orders for redeployment to Fort Hood was told to ‘Load down,’ for what were at that juncture, unknown reasons.

19 December CPT Rathburn was briefed on Operation Just Cause (Plan 90-2), by the Commander of the 519th MP Battalion. He was further directed not to brief the company leadership until 1900 Hours [7:00 PM].

1900 Hours The Company Staff were briefed on the operation and made ready for immediate deployment to their assignments. All members of the company were instructed to wear their MP brassard on the right arm and a white cloth band on the left as part of the operational security plan and to lessen the chance of fratricide (friendly fire).

        The platoon's moved out before H-Hour (2400 hours), fully combat loaded, with the mission to secure key highways, roads and facilities, and to neutralize local PDF patrols throughout their area of operations.

2315 Hours At 11:15 PM, deposed Presidential candidate Guillermo Endara, whose apparent victory in Panama's May 7 elections was annulled on May 10, was inaugurated president at an undisclosed U.S. military base before the first troops from bases in the U.S. were scheduled to land.

20 December, D-Day Panama, Operation Just Cause

2400 Hours First srike forces from the U.S. consisting of the 75th Ranger Regiment and 82d Airborne Division conducted airborne assaults to secure key objectives at Rio Hato, and the Torrijos/Tocumen airports to facilitate the landing of additional combat and support units.

401st Military Police Company Operations

First Platoon Led by 1LT Colleen Watson and SSG Jeffery Allison, secured several principal facilities and established two roadblocks near Albrook Air Force Base.

Casualty PFC Scott L. Roth, the 1st Platoon machine gunner, was killed in action during a fire fight at Check Point-12, Diablo Heights area with a PDF Patrol. The platoon captured two PDF prisoners.

Second Platoon Led by 1LT Robert Byrd and SFC William “Bill” Lee, had one of the two assault missions delegated to Military Police during the operation. The platoon assaulted and secured Pier-18, code name Objective Shark, manned by a small contingent of PDF personnel.

        In the resulting fire fight, during which the MP’s used their automatic weapons, grenade launchers and light-anti tank rockets, they severely damaged a PDF gunboat, captured seven PDF personnel, over 100 suspected civilian sympathizers, and seized over $300,000.00 in cocaine.

Casualties Two MP’s were wounded during the action, one was PFC Eric Jones, the other remains unidentified as of this writing. One was evacuated, the other treated and returned to duty.

Third Platoon Led by 2LT Penny Legner and SSG Philip Grey, secured several important facilities.

"The Team of Nopper-Kailanen-White"  PVT Michael D. White, 3rd Platoon, 401st MP Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade, 1989-1990.

        Part of the 3rd Platoon was also the reserve force, but before the nights activities was over, everyone had been assigned as reinforcements to the other platoons.

Fourth Platoon Led by SFC Joe Fullen, secured the Mira Flores and Pedro Miguel locks on the Panama Canal and the Swing Bridge, which is one of the two bridges crossing the canal on the Pacific side. The Swing Bridge was vital to the movement of mechanized infantry tasked with assaulting objectives in Panama City.

         During their mission SFC Fullen’s platoon exierienced hostile mortar file and they captured a PDF prisoner.

Headquarters Platoon Comprised of food service personnel, mechanics, clerks and other non MP soldiers, delivered barricades to roadblocks while under fire, guarded PDF prisoners, and provided the perimeter security for the company’s Tactical Operations Center (TOC).

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        The 82d Airborne Division and 1st Brigade task force made up of the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, parachuted into combat for the first time since World War II, landed at Torrijos International Airport, Panama. The paratroopers were joined on the ground by 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment which was already in Panama. After the night combat jump and seizure of the airport, the 82nd conducted follow-on combat air assault missions in Panama City and the surrounding areas.

        They were followed later by the 2nd and 1st Brigades, 7th Infantry Division (Light), while the in-place forces comprised of the 3d Brigade (-), 7th Infantry Division (Light); 193rd Infantry Brigade (Light) and 4-6 Infantry, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized), assaulted objectives in both Panama City and on the Atlantic side of the Canal.

President George H. W. Bush addressed the nation on Panama and Operation Just Cause.

        By the first day, all D-Day objectives were secured. As initial forces moved to new objectives, follow-on forces from 7th Infantry Division (Light) moved into the western areas of Panama and into Panama City.

401st Military Police Company Operations 21 December through 6 January 1990

First Platoon Conducted house-to-house searches and provided convoy escorts; at Tocumen, they assisted the 1/75th Rangers in a three day sweep through the sourrounding countryside; later, they moved to Panama City to act as a reaction force for the 5/87th Infantry.

Second Platoon Coundcted house-to-house searches and moved to Torrijos International Airport to assume internal security for the terminal building during the evacuation of hundreds of foreigh nationals. In addition, they manned two check points and, in conjunction with the Rangers, controlled external access to the airport. When hostilities ended, they escorted about forty visiting VIP’s, including members of Congress.

Third Platoon Conducted convoy escorts into Panama City and escorted prisoners of war to the main POW camp. They also provided security for the Secretary of Defense, the SOUTHCOM commander, and the Sergeant Major of the Army during his visit. Later they conducted joint patrols with repatriated Panaminian civilian police and assisted with establishing police stations in Ancon and Balboa.

"Friendly Fire, 21 December, Day Two of Operation Just Cause" PVT Michael D. White, 3rd Platoon, 401st MP Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade, 1989-1990.

Fourth Platoon Conducted convoy escorts into Panama City, assisted the police stations in Ancon and Balboa, in addition to providing gate security at Fort Clayton.

Headquarters Platoon Provided TOC security at Tocumen and Torrijos, guarded a warehouse full of captured arms, proivided assistance with the numerous unit moves and other needed support services.

6 January The 401st MP Company redeployed from Panama to Fort Hood, Texas.

        During Operation Just Cause, 20 December 1989 through 9 January 1990, its chain of command became fluid. From 19 to 23 December they served subordinate to the 519th MP Battalion, 193rd Infantry Brigade. From 23 December 1968 to 9 January 1990, in addition to the aforementioned units they also served sbordinate to the 16th MP Brigade, 503rd MP Battalion, and 82nd Airborne Division.

        The 401st was probably the first military police unit in Operation Just Cause to experience hostile fire.

        For the first time in the Battalion’s history, female MP’s fought alongside their male counterparts aginst a hostile military force, and all peformed superbly.

        The soldiers of the 401st MP Company received three Purple Heart Medals (one posthumously), two Bronze Star Medals, and several Army Commendation Medals.

        For its overall actions, the company was awarded the Valorous Unit Award.

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        The high casualties and use of resources usually associated with all-out urban warfare did not occur. The United States suffered 23 Killed In Action and 324 Wounded In Action, with estimated enemy casualties around 450. There were an estimated 200 to 300 Panamanian civilian fatalities. Some were killed by the PDF, others inadvertently by US troops. More civilians almost certainly would have been killed or wounded had it not been for the discipline of the American forces and their stringent rules of engagement (ROE).

        However, the United Nations (UN) put the civilian death toll at 500; the Central American Human Rights Defense Commission (CODEHUCA) and the Peace and Justice Service of Panama both claimed between 2,000 to 3000; the Panamanian National Human Rights Commission and an independent inquiry by former Attorney- General Ramsey Clark claimed over 4,000. Thousands were injured.

        As it turned out, the figure of Panamanian dead was large enough to stimulate debate over the need for the invasion to remove Noriega, but not large enough to generate a sense of outrage in Panama or abroad, or to turn the Panamanian people against the US intervention or the nation-building program that followed it.

        The US troops involved in Operation Just Cause achieved their primary objectives quickly, and troop withdrawal began on December 27. Noreiga eventually surrendered to US authorities voluntarily. He is now serving a 40-year sentence in Florida for drug trafficking.