The American Ivasion of Panama began on December 20, 1989, at 0100 local time. The operation involved nearly 30,000 U.S. troops and over 300 aircraft �including the AC-130 aerial gunship, OA-37B observation and attack aircraft, and the F-117A stealth aircraft and AH-64 Apache helicopter which were both used for the first time in combat. These were deployed against the 3,000 members of the Panama Defense Force (PDF).

The operation began with an assault of strategic installations such as the civilian Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, a PDF garrison and airfield at Rio Hato, where Noriega also maintained a residence, and other military command centers throughout the country. The attack on the central headquarters of the PDF (referred to as La Comandancia) touched off several fires, one of which destroyed most of the adjoining and heavily populated El Chorrillo neighborhood in downtown Panama City. During the firefight at the Comandancia, the PDF downed one AH-6 Little Bird helicopter, and disabled or destroyed severl armored vehicles. The Panamanian Defense Force was overwhelmed by the larger U.S. forces.

Military operations continued for several days, mainly against paramilitary units of Noriega loyalists called "Batallones de la Dignidad". With the collapse of the Panamanian Defense Force, looting and other forms of vandalism quickly ensued in most urban areas, but despite the widespread lawlessness, the main focus of the American forces continued to be Noriega's capture and extradition. Noriega remained at large for several days, but realizing he had few options in the face of a massive manhunt, with a one million dollar reward for his capture, he obtained refuge in the Vatican diplomatic mission in Panama City. The American military's psychological pressure on him and diplomatic pressure on the Vatican mission, however, was relentless, including the playing of loud rock-and-roll music day and night in a densely populated area. As a result, Noriega finally surrendered to the U.S. military in January ,1990. He was immediately put on a military transport plane and extradited to the United States.

By mid-January, American combat forces had begun to withdraw.

The Operation Just Cause mod deals with the American Invasion of Panama in December of 1989. The mod will change nearly everything except the coding in Close Combat 2, A Bridge Too Far by Atomic Games. All German forces will be replaced with the Panamanian Defence Force (PDF) and the Allied forces have been replaced by American Army, Marine, Ranger, and Special Forces units. The Battles chosen for the mod are the following eleven.

Screenshots



Rangers supported by a HMMWV patrol a street in Panama City.






A PDF squad defends a Police Station in a rural town.






PDF troops along with a V-300, fight their way across a bridge.



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