Subject: Vessel Missions For Just Cause 1989

19 Dec 89

With 4 vessels u/w, 4 vehicles and 146 personnel were transported. 4 vessels were attached to Task Force Atlantic, 2 were locked through to Fort Sherman (09, 18), 2 were dedicated to support (08, 12) lake side to run between Sturgis Landing and Gamboa.

At 2100hrs the LCM 8508 loaded 76 soldiers from the 82^nd Airborne at Sturgis Landing and proceeded to Gamboa Prison. The LCM 8512 loaded 70 soldiers from the 82^nd Airborne at Sturgis Landing and got underway for Gamboa at 2300hrs,

20 Dec 89

With 7 vessels u/w, 2 on patrol duty, 6 vehicles, 233 personnel and 186 EPWs were transported. Vessels made 3 trip to Gamboa, 2 trips to and on standby at Sturgis Landing, 2 on patrol at Sherman and 3 return trips to Dock 45.

The 8509 while patrolling the Atlantic entrance of the Panama Canal, engaged in a firefight with members of the PDF onboard the motor vessel Asian Senator and effectively blocked her from putting to sea from pier #9 Colon. Weapons employed during the fight were M-16A2s, M-203s and .50 caliber machine guns. Only slight damage to the 8509 occurred as a result of the fight and no casualties were reported for either side. At the outcome 14 PDF prisoners were taken along with 22 civilians of whose allegiance was unknown from the Asian Senator and were turned over to the MPs occupying the former PDF Headquarters in Colon.

The 8508 took small arms fire from the Gamboa Prison while making a beach assault with the 82^nd Airborne onboard. Fire could not be returned during the beaching operation due to discharging of troops. The 8508 took no damage or casualties during the action.

21 Dec 89

With 7 vessels u/w, 2 on patrol duty, 4 vehicles, 47 personnel and 6 EPWs were transported. Vessels made 3 trips to and 1 on standby at Sturgis Landing and 4 return trips to Dock 45.

The 8509 on p-patrol duty continued to draw sniper fire while on station. Navy SEALS onboard the vessel returned fire and 3 PDF personnel were seen to have fallen. With no damage or casualties to vessel or crew.

22 Dec 89

With 7 vessels u/w, 2 on patrol duty, 5 vehicles, 260 personnel and 56 EPWs were transported. Vessels made 3 trips to and 1 on standby at Gamboa, 3 trips to Sturgis Landing, 1 trip to Mandingo Point and 5 return trips to Dock 45.

LCM 8509 assisted in the protection of the Free Zone businesses in Colon.

23 Dec 89

With 8 vessels u/w, 2 on patrol duty, 6 vehicles, 48 personnel and 194 EPWs were transported. Vessels made 1 trip and 1 on standby at Gamboa, 4 trips to Mandingo Point, 1 trip to Sturgis Landing 3 return trips to Dock 45.

24 Dec 89

With 8 vessels u/w, 2 on patrol duty, 8 vehicles, 39 personnel and 128 EPWs were transported. Vessels made 3 trips to Sturgis Landing, 4 trips to Mandingo Point, 1 on standby at Gamboa and 3 return trips to Dock 45.

25 Dec 89

With 8 vessels u/w, 2 on patrol duty, 8 vehicles, 294 personnel and 249 EPWs were transported. Vessels made 2 trips to Mandingo Point, 2 trips to and 1 on standby at Gamboa and 2 return trips to Dock 45. Last day of patrol duty at Fort Sherman.

26 Dec 89

With 7 vessels u/w, 8 vehicles, 24 personnel were transported. Vessels made 2 trips to Mandingo Point, 1 trip to and 1 on standby at Gamboa, 1 trip to Sturgis Landing and 2 return trips to Dock 45.

27 Dec 89

With 6 vessels u/w, 6 vehicles, 12 personnel and 4 EPWs were transported. Vessels made 2 trips to Mandingo Point, 1 trip to Gamboa and 2 return trips to Dock 45.

28 Dec 89

With 6 vessels u/w, 10 vehicles, 41 personnel transported. Vessels made 1 trip to Mandingo Point, 3 trips to Sturgis Landing, and 3 return trips to Dock 45.

29 Dec 89

With 7 vessels u/w, 8 vehicles, 356 personnel were transported. Vessels made 2 trips to Sturgis Landing and 1 trip to Gamboa.

30 Dec 89

With 4 vessels u/w, 7 vehicles, 142 personnel were transported. Vessels made 2 trips to Mandingo Point, 1 trip to Sturgis Landing and 1 trip to Gamboa.

31 Dec 89

With 4 vessels u/w, 5 vehicles, 112 personnel were transported. Vessels made 1 trip to Mandingo Point, 3 trips to Sturgis Landing, 1 trip to Gamboa and 1 return trip to Dock 45.

Vessel Commitment Graph

U = U/W

P = Patrolling

FF= Fire Fight

E = EPWs

G = Gamboa

ST = Sturgis

S = Sherman

Totals Per Vessel

Vessel Usage

09 January 1990

Memorandum For: Commander, 193^rd Support Battalion, ATTN: S-3 (MAJ Paparone), Fort Clayton, Panama 34004

Subject: After Action Review – Operation Just Cause

1. Purpose:

The purpose of this After Action Review (AAR) is to analyze the 1097^th Transportation Company (Medium Boat) role in Operation Just Cause. This analysis will incorporate equipment and personnel utilization, transportation taskings, supplies consumed to sustain the unit during the operation.

2. Narrative Summary:

1. This report spans from 20 December 1989 to 7 January 1990. Personnel strength was at 67% of the units assigned strength. Vessel use was 80% of assigned vessels. The unit accomplished 111 transportation missions. Supply consumption consisted of 101 cases of MREs, 10,799 gallons of JP-5, 660 gallons of lube oil, and $2935.57 of class IX parts. There were 200 rounds of 5.56mm and 1,200 rounds of .50 caliber expended.
2. This unit used organic assets to support missions in Atlantic waters, Pacific waters, and within the Panama Canal waterway. Two vessels were under operational control to Task Force – Atlantic (TF-A) at Fort Sherman, two vessels were under operational control to TF-A at Gamboa, five vessels were operational on Gatun Lake, one vessel was on the Marine Railway at Dock 45, and five vessels were operational at Rodman Naval Station. Severe restrictions placed on the wheeled vehicle main supply route connecting the Pacific and Atlantic communities necessitated heavy use of air and waterway transportation modes. Thus, via the Panama Canal, the 1097^th transported soldiers, supplies, equipment and enemy prisoners of war throughout the entire operation. Simultaneously, the 1097^th teamed with the Navy Special Boat Unit and Navy SEAL Teams for combat assaults in Limon Bay and Colon Harbor.

1. General Conclusions and Recommendations:

1. The 1097^th Transportation Company (MB) accomplished all assigned missions in an ever-changing combat environment. Task Force – Atlantic utilized the 1097^th vessels as a main source of support and resupply. During all phases of Operation Just Cause, the vessels of the 1097^th provided a major logistical link between the Atlantic and the Pacific communities via the Panama Canal waterway. This included insertion and extraction of soldiers and equipment and transportation of class I, II, III, and V resupply for military operations. Excluding isolated cases, 1097^th vessels transported all enemy prisoners of war (EPW) and or detainees from the collection points in the Atlantic side to the main collection point on the Pacific side. In addition to military operations support, the 1097^th transported supplies for the military family member populous as well.
2. The 1097^th was directly involved in three combat assaults; two beach assaults at Gamboa, and one vessel assault in Limon Bay. In addition, 1097^th vessels teamed with the Navy Special Boat Unit and Navy SEAL operations to provide security in Limon Bay and Colon Harbor. The performance of this joint operation between Army and Navy elements was smooth and well executed.
3. Recommend 193^rd Support Battalion Operations Center remain the designated single point tasking authority during contingency operations for vessels that do not fall under the operational control of contingency forces.
4. Recommend upgrade of the 1097^th ALO (Authorized Level of Organization). More specifically, request higher prioritization of personnel fill.

Phillip D. Senechal

CPT, TC

Commanding