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I served in the Pan-canal zone from 1963 - 64 with the 252 Signal Company. We had a two man jump team that supported the combat forces of SouthCom, then commanded by LG O'Mera. (not sure of spelling). The 252nd (myself and one other) jumped and trained with a battalion of the Red Devils with the mission of jumping into Central or South America to secure an airhead and assist in the evacuation of US Nationals. During my time we only came close once. We were secured in the hanger, issued live ammo, and chutes that we didn't put on, while C-130s sat outside with the blades turning. Don't know why we didn't chute up. The concern was Honduras. We remained secure for only a few hours and the crisis never materialized. Later we thought we might go into the Dom Rep but O'Mera lost the fight for the mission and the 82nd out of CONUS got that mission. We did lots of practice jumps into the swamp land South of the Canal Zone called, I think, Rio Hatta. One time they dumped me into two feet of water and marsh grass. It was the only time I ever had to pop my cape wells, just one - embarassing. Do you know anything mor about the Red Devils during that time. Thanks. Curt |
