SEAL Raid on Patilla Airfield

[SEALInTheMaking]

Im doing a research paper on the SEAL op at Patilla Airfield during Operation Just Cause. I've got all the basics of the battle. 48 SEALs involved, inserted via CRRCs towed by PBRs, couldnt raise Spectre, engaged by Panamanians at the hanger, 4 SEALs killed. Wondering if anyone has any interesting details about the battle that I'm not finding on the web. Thanks in advance.

[Falco]

I saw a show on the history channel a while ago about that operation. Didn't they have to disable a high ranking officials plane or something?

[SEALInTheMaking]

They had to disable Manuel Noriegas jet. Ended up doing it with an AT4.

[hist2004]

Wondering if anyone has any interesting details about the battle that I'm not finding on the web.

I don’t know how interesting this is but Lt. John Connor had contracted a parasitic disease
while attending Jungle warfare training in Brazil. He was actually at Walter Reed Army
Medical Center for treatment just prior to the invasion. The lesions were particularly
difficult to treat and were prominent on his body. During the assault on the airfield Lt.
Connor was hit by automatic fire and knocked back. When the Seals open his fatigue
jacket to assess the wounds, in the dark it was difficult to determine the injuries with his
torso affected by the lesions. This brave and outstanding officer succumbed to his wounds
during treatment.

Regards,
Hist2004

[SEALInTheMaking]

Thats actually very helpful. Thank you.

[hist2004]

SEALInTheMaking-

You may have this information, but if not I hope it helps.
Petty Officer Carlos Moleda who was paralyzed during the assault on Patilla Airfield
was born in San Paulo, Brazil. He came to the U.S. (1980) joined the US Navy in 1986,
gained his U.S. citizenship, and then applied for the Seal Teams. Moleda faced nine
months of intensive rehabilitation and treatment for infection in the leg. In 1991 Moleda
made a statement of sorts when he pushed himself in his wheelchair 1200 miles, from
Miami to his hometown of Virginia Beach, VA.

Regards,
Hist2004

[Brozozo]

SEALInTheMaking-

You may have this information, but if not I hope it helps.
Petty Officer Carlos Moleda who was paralyzed during the assault on Patilla Airfield
was born in San Paulo, Brazil. He came to the U.S. (1980) joined the US Navy in 1986,
gained his U.S. citizenship, and then applied for the Seal Teams. Moleda faced nine
months of intensive rehabilitation and treatment for infection in the leg. In 1991 Moleda
made a statement of sorts when he pushed himself in his wheelchair 1200 miles, from
Miami to his hometown of Virginia Beach, VA.

Regards,
Hist2004

One hardcore SEAL! I'd like to shake his hand for that...