HUMVEE First Operations: Panama

In 40 Years of HUMVEE by Griffin Jones

Operation Just Cause

Before long, the Humvee found itself the main tool of soldier and supply transport behind the front lines of Operation Just Cause, or the U.S. Invasion of Panama (1989 – 1991), that ousted the then dictator General Manual Noriega.

While it was built for that purpose, the newer Army vehicle found itself in the front lines themselves, exposing it to small arms fire including machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. Soon after, another conflict arose in the Middle East, The Gulf War ( 1990 – 1991).

U.S. Army M113 armored personnel carriers travel on a road in Panama during Operation Just Cause in December 1989. The invasion of Panama began Dec. 20, 1989 when U.S. military forces were called to remove the regime of Manuel Noriega in Panama.

Media Contact: Deborah Reyes, Executive Director, Global Marketing and Strategic Communications

E-mail: deborah.reyes@amgeneral.com