Capture of Torrijos Airport | |||||||
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Part of the United States invasion of Panama | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
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Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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Units involved | |||||||
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Strength | |||||||
unknown 4 C-130 1 AC-130 gunship AH-6 helicopters |
200 1 ZPU-4 | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
1 killed[1] 5 wounded[2] |
5 killed 50 captured 398 civilians detained |
The Capture of Torrijos Airport took place as an opening action of the United States invasion of Panama, and was fought between the U.S. military and the Panama Defense Forces (PDF) on 20 December 1989. The goal of this operation was to capture the Panamanian Air Force, headquartered at the airport, and to close the airport to traffic coming into Panama.[3]
The capture of Torrijos Airport was executed by the U.S. Army Rangers of the 75th Ranger Regiment.