Operation Just Cause

Define the Battle Under the direction of President George H. W. Bush members of the United States Army invaded Panama in an effort to reestablish the democratically chosen Guillermo Endara, defend the authenticity of the Panama Canal, and arrest General Manuel Noriega. This maneuver is known Operation Just Cause. Setting the Stage
Manual Noriega had been directed as the dictator of Panama by US government in 1960’s. The relationship between Noriega and the United States had become strained in the 1980’s because he had been accused of murder, drug trafficking and election fraud by one of his lieutenants. Within in the last two years leading up to Operation Just Cause Noriega succumbed to anti-American rhetoric. During this time, he directed
National elections were held in May and when Noriega’s handpicked candidate lost he stated that the elections were invalid. Two days after the winner of the election was assaulted at a post-election rally, and one of his bodyguards was murdered. In an isolated incident a Navy sailor was kidnapped and beaten. Following that incident President George H.W Bush deployed 1,900 more troops to Panama. The deployment of the 1,900 combat troops and military police was known as Operation Nimrod Dancer. This operation was designed to increase the safety of the United States citizens and their property. The harassment continued throughout the summer, but the chances for aggravation lessened because hundreds of military families left Panama and access to military installations were limited. In October 1989, one of Noriega’s senior commanders arranged a coup but it unsuccessful. On, 15 December 1989 Noriega declared to at war with the United States. Phillips writes, “Through informers and Panamanian documents, U.S. intelligence analysts surmised that the conventional defensive plans of the PDF, which totaled at least 8,000 men and women, were to delay a foreign
He chose 0100 because the last civilian flight into Omar Torrijos International Airport in Panama was scheduled to land at 2300 on Tuesday, 19 December 1989. He figured that this would give the civilian and crew members ample time to collect their belongings and clear customs before his troops arrived. The operation was compromised when the Commander of the 8th Infantry Company told someone on the phone that the “ball game starts at 0100 hours, get your troops out and get them ready.” (Phillips, 2004) A PDF sergeant phoned PDF headquarters to warn them of the to vacate the city before 0100 hours. The PDF decided to infiltrate a hanger where U.S. Forces were getting ready to head out on the mission. At this time, General Steiner chose to move up H-Hour by 15 minutes, this meant that Operation Just Cause would kick off at 0045 hours. The attack on the Pacora Bridge took place in order to stop the PDF from moving forward. Three UH-60 helicopters dropped the Special Forces close to the Pacora Bridge where they advance and fired antitank weapons at the PDF. This act stopped the PDF in their tracks. They began firing rounds all over not focusing on a target. The AC-130 gunship laid suppressive fire which forced the PDF to abandon their vehicles. This act alone stopped the PDF from advancing so it was impossible for them to affect the U.S. Forces assault on Torrijos and Tocumen