Panama 1989 - Operation Just Cause

At the Caribbean Sea, U.S. transport pilots are lowering altitude – at all costs they must avoid being detected by Cuban radar. The seven-hour flight from huntsman Army Airfield, Georgia is almost over. As the 20-year-old Rangers approach the target, they feel expanding anxiety – they are the pinnacle of the invasion, but fewer of them had combat experience. 1 of the objectives is Torrijos-Tocumen global Airport - the largest airport in Panama. At 1:10 a.m. at night, 4 Ranger companies jump on parachutes consecutive to the runway from only 150 metres – they have never landed from specified a tiny height. respective soldiers endure wounds, but the others through the advanced grass penetrate towards the main terminal. There is simply a violent fire exchange with an airfield defender company of Panamanian infantry. Americans storm and occupy 2 advanced floors of the building. The fights are fierce – in airport bathrooms Americans usage grenades. On the ground floor, the Panamanian soldiers hold 347 Brazilian hostages. They will only quit after more than 2 hours of negotiations. The airport is secure, but the first transports with paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division will not land until 9:00. Losses of Americans are low: 1 killed, 5 injured and 19 injured during landing. The Panamans lost 13 dead during the airfield fight, and 53 were taken prisoner. During this time, key military facilities throughout Panama were attacked. U.S. peculiar Forces have launched a pursuit of General Noriega.