On Dec. 20, 1989, the US military executed an attack that overwhelmed the Panamanian Defense Forces of dictator Manuel Noriega. The goal was to restore the democratically elected government of Guillermo Endara and arrest Noriega on drug trafficking charges.
Continuing over the next five weeks, the joint operation was a success and included multiple airborne, air assault, and maritime operations.
This was my father’s final deployment and he retired the year afterwards. The stories he told about Just Cause and the army of the late 70s and 80s were hilarious, captivating, and stunning frankly. I’ll always remember my dad’s stories about “the weirdest damn war” he ever fought in Panama.
Operation Just Cause was my first invasion/deployment and I even got promoted while in a combat theater. WOLFHOUNDS!