Moatengators; remember Venado DZ?
I know there are some old Moatengators out there from A Co. (ABN) 3/5th Infantry and later from the 508th PIR who were stationed at Fort Kobbe in Panama and became intimate with navigating through Venado DZ’s twelve foot elephant grass at the end of the Howard AFB air strip.
Some pictures I lifted of Venado from someone’s webpage;
Well, I went out there yesterday to reminisce about the old days. Here’s what the leading edge of the DZ looks like now;
It’s kind of a strip mall of tourist stores with a few bars (yeah!) mixed in. The place we went to eat had great chuletta (pork chops) .
For those of you that don’t know the stories about Venado DZ, I’ll fill you in. The aircraft would approach from the south (over the Pacific) and the light would go green as the plane crossed over the beach. Inevitably, the first jumper would end up in the ocean. Since the Bay of Panama is reputed to have about 1000 sharks per square mile, there’d be a rescue team in the ocean in a row boat (usually dirty, nasty legs from one of the other companies) who would take their sweet time rowing the boat over to the panicky jumper. If a shark did show up, they could use the oars to drive him away. You think I’m joking, right? It was so common for us to land in the ocean, we practiced Huey jumps into Gatun Lake (super-Hollywood; PT shorts and T-shirts and jungle boots and no equipment). That way we’d be able to practice not drowning without the added feature of shark attacks.
We’re talking about an airborne company that used to jump with their mascot – a live Panamanian crocodile (cayman) wrapped in a mattress cover and strapped in under the reserve parachute of a volunteer NCO. We had a gator pit (built with “volunteer labor” from the extra duty personnel) alongside the company’s barracks that was home three caymans when I was there.
The patch in the picture at the top of this post was worn on the left pocket of our jungle OD’s.
Category: Historical
Sounds like a croc to me…
Hey! That patch is BETTER than the Banana Boat (Jungle Expert Badge) patch! I’m envious!
They renamed Dublois-Coates DZ after the 89 invasion. I flew Hueys there 93-94. What a blast.
Jonn,
Airborne, huh? You guys might’ve been some of the ones that my Navy guys got into a couple fights with at the enlisted club back at Howard back in ’79… 🙂 Small world, eh?
WE flew into Howard within hours of the Sandanistas rising up and stayed there for a few weeks. Good times. Interesting missions.
Respects,
Jonn wrote: They were probably tired of getting into fights with the airmenand decided some seafarers might be a change. I didn’t hang out much at the on-base clubs, my distractions were in downtown PC.
Hey fellow bar jumpers I was in Panama from 1983 through 1986 and would like to set up a moetengator weekend with some old troopers where ever just get in touch with me and we will set it up…. if needed contact me at 409 550-2510
David Crawford
I was a Moatengator from 86-89. Lots of landings on Venado. Retired after 20yrs Infantry in 06. Lots of fond memories from Panama.
Got my moatengator patch in 74. On arrival at Co A my First Sgt asked if I was married. I said no. He said you will be before you leave Panama. To my amazment I never had to have a penicillan shot!
Motengator from ’71- ’72 time frame. Assigned to A Co and attached to 4.2″ Mtr Plt in CSC. Loved Venado DZ. Cut trails through the elephant grass for ATT’s. Inspected the “shark nets” at Kobbe Beach while scuba diving. Thanks for the memories…
Jonn wrote: Kobbe Beach is an exclusive resort hotel now. They wouldn’t let me through the gate – like I was hooch or something. 🙂
I was a moatengator from 78-80. Had a lot of jumps and fond memories of that place. Great times! Crash Craddock.
good to hear the good old names again. airborne craddock.
Bandido here. 1985/86 2/187th Airborne Rakkasans – Nice to see a page about Kobbe – even if it was from the “original” Aiborne.
12/68- 7/69
Night jumps Rio Hato DZ how about the wiseguy Platoon second Co. A Airborne 3/5 airborne infantry.39jumps including 5 from C-47.Vargus. Esparza, Casanova Richard M, Seigal Sgt Peron, Sgt Williams
Where are all the Gators from June 1977-June 1979? I have only found Vincent Ochoa. He was an E-5. 2nd plt, 2nd sqd leader. Capt Kenneally was the CO & 1st sgt Turner was top. I was in 2nd plt, 2nd sqd. I ran with Mike Cloutier, Santana, Brace, Springman, Lane, West, Roybal, Jancowski, Nichols. I have not been able to find anybody else from that time period. Is there anyone out there from that time period? If so, please get in touch with me.
Jonn wrote: I was in 1st Platoon with SFC Martin during part of that period. But you got there after we finally moved in to the air conditioned barracks – you’re a newbie who didn’t get to enjoy the screened-in splendor of the old barracks. 🙂
Moatengator from November 1974 to September 1976. Have many great memories from that DZ and the water jumps over at Gatun Lake. I also have many pictures from those two years. Would like to hear from people there at the same time. Airborne!!
Great memories of my time as a “Moatengator” thanks for bringing them back!!
Good memories… Ft Kobbe, Town, The Golden Key, The Silver House, The Ovalo, Hotel Ideal, The Ancon Inn… and all the places that shall not be mentioned. Best diving, fishing, and (on ocassion) surfing with best bunch of guys I ever met.
My time at A 3/5 as a Moatengator is still the best memory of my life.
woody you served or got to panama in or around 79? you were an 11b, I remember you.
captain teston had us training with the b.b. guns and me and you got all shot up lol
I’d be afraid to jump a cayman in that configuration-what if he gets loose and starts chewing on your nuts in midair?
I was a moatengator from Nov ’76 thru Nov ’78, CPT Kennealy was the CO, 1st SGT Turner, I was in the mortar platoon with 1st LT Mercer and SFC Dudley. Other mortar platoon members were Mike Kenney, Eddy Byrd, and John Corson. Brings back some memories I would like to catch up on what is happening with my fellow soldiers from my platoon.
hi Wayne I arrived to wpns plt in jan 79 right after you left. We have a page on facebook that has just weapon plt. members that you served with. it’s a closed page so you have to request membership. facebook page…GATOR-4,WPNS PLT,A(ABN)3/5
Hope to hear from you soon!
I arrived on November 28th 78, so I was your replacement
Arrived Ft Kobbe december 1968 left fort Kobbe July 1970. We were privileged to jump the C-47. Liked Rio Hato. Today its Resort sorry to say. My opinion and observation from my recent trip to Panama is US Invasion screwed them up. No more PDF. Panama is run by business men. Panama city Luxury apartments galore with no 0ne living in them. No one can afford to. fronts for the drug cartels. Plastic Garbage is all over the Panamian Landscape. It was so beautiful 41 years ago. Now they have good ole American litter.
Remember the Soccer war of 1969? well A co. Airborne was ready to Jump in and stop it got as far as the C-130s on Howard AFB. That was the last straw for El Salvador and Hondorous we would of messed them up.
Omar Torrijos please return save Panama from exploitation.
Venado Drop Zone 10 men in 10 seconds out the Door.
Wow …84 ~ 86 Nex Superne !! what memories !! went through 7th SFgroup airborne school on Sherman while there (got the iron mike), Air Asault, Pana-Ungla (misspelled Im sure)of course Jungle expert (several times .. Green Hell !!), did the march from coast to coast (think I still have blisters) !! Was with both Bravo Co and Charlie Co, but remember the caman jumping with A-Co 1st Sgt Rock.
Bar jumping, Ancon down range (keep under beret !) some of the best times, and best buddy’s ! Still do some sport jumping but nothing compares !!
Marshall Hoskins
Hey Moatengators!!
was at Ft. Kobbe from 76 to 78 – great times! remember Venado well – couldn’t see anything in rainy season and hard as hell in dry season.
i was one of those dirty legs from c co that was tasked to pick up guys from the water remeber that p.rican guy that hanged himself in that tree i never forget that funeral and the boots in the church had a wild time in panama loved that jungle
Hey, Golon, I served with ya’ 78-82 Gatorade Platoon. Sfc Dudley, old goat Corson, sick-pup Berry, Bryd,etc. Best mortar plt. shoot-off champs, grenade incident dayroom A co. Nicarqua Alert ’79, Jonestown Guyana,(drew up the Gatorade t-shirt) Jumpmaster schol at Ft.Sherman CZ by ODA 7th SFG. Remember posters “re-elect Carter Best Pres. Panama ever had” ha, wild,wild west times. Beautiful jungles,Venado DZ, SSG R. got arm cut-off during jump, that young FNG LDS got hung up in the trees, was Assist. Jumpmaster on that one too. Lots of great memories, some sad of course, went to 82nd 2/504 PIR comm sgt,airmovement ops, 81mm squad ldr.in C co.,selected by 82nd CSM for Blackhat duty at “cook and bakers school” ha 4STB,Tower branch,then 1/507PIR, sore feet and shoulders attempt but completed the mission,ha. (heat cas.)sand babies,ammo-boxes haul. then off to 75th Lewis 2d Batt.,2ACR,blew my hamstring out, wnt back to the Medicine manonthe Navajo-Hopi Indian Reservation,got healed,blew the pre-surgery staff away. Clean bill of health okayed to re-up. Down to 4RTB desert phase McGregorer Range Ft. Bliss,Tx. Retired Mar.94 Currently here at Tacoma Wa. Laters Gators!
I’d like to get in contact with bruce blaydes. He posted a response on September 15. Email me at daniel.loomis @ gmail.com . I was deployed, from Planet Ord, in ’89 and lived in the building next door to the Moatengators. Back then I think they had two gators and a couple of turtles in the cage. Later on, ’91-’93 I got stationed across the field/corral with the 228th Avn. Prior to my time at Planet Ord, I was in Bavaria with a SP4 Blaydes. He always steered me right.
Was there 81-82, Capt Teston then Capt Tokarz, Lt Mohulland was XO (subsequently head of 5th SF in Afganistan). 1st Platoon Medic, loved Venado hated the swamp. Hoping to catch up with anyone from the 81-82 days
I was a Rigger for the Moatengators from November of ’77 until November ’79. First jump at Venado was a night jump. Couldn’t believe how much further I dropped after hitting the top on the elephant grass.. Collection point is on the beach? Which way was that? 17 years old when I got to Panama and fell in love at the Ancon Inn several times. Never married one, thank goodness. We always wondered if the Airborne grunts ever realized how freaking high we were while packing parachutes. Never a malfunction, tho… One nice thing about being a rigger is you can’t pack chutes in the field, and when the 3/5th went camping in the jungle for weeks on end, the riggers only job was to raise the flag at HQ in the morning and take it down at night… Love the water jumps into Lake Gatun. Just about a week before I left a duece and a half full of troop went of the Bridge of the Americas. I’ll make it back down there someday.
Not a Moatengator, but knew one of your alumnus from my 82nd days. Anyone recall a British-Chinese fellow last named Chung? I think he’s a cop in Texas, now.
Did the Jungle Warfare school before it closed. Freaky how the monkeys would howl at the start of a rain storm.
I was a Moatengator from 79-82. Reading these posts brings back some good memories. I see a few names I recognize. How’s it going Les, Crash and Matt. Anyone know anything about Gary Doody or George Metzler?
81-83, 87-89. Not as good the second time around but was a blast with the single Airborne Company. RLTW! Harold
I was there from 84-86. Watched Lt. Pham waterland right there.
Looking for a medic named Chris Black. Anybody seen him?
Its good to see CPT Keneally remembered here.
If you’re ever around Salt Lake City, recommend you stop by the Antelope Island memorial which includes John T Keneally. He took command of A(ABN) 3/5 INF around Oct 1977 and was killed while commanding the 3d Ranger BN.
http://www.ranger.org/html/antelope_island.html
There is a neat picture online someplace of him leading A Company on the last 4th of July parade thru the Canal Zone in 1978…probably one of the Panama Canal Reviews…
Looking for Richard M Cassanova of San Antonio Texas PFC Co. A Airborne December 1968-1970’s left for homebase before me. Great Guy lots of good times. Even though I’m a gringo always enjoyed the Mexican Guys.. We were the 2nd Platton of A Co. The Wise Guy Platoon. Remember the time you Maywested and got knocked out? Howling in the barracks to your music and crying for your family and man could you sleep..we were on the machine gun together for awhile and sleep close in the fort me you and Seigal.
I was with Aco 3/5 Airborne 83-86 with 1SG Rock CPT Morehouse.
I remember pan-jungla like it was yesterday, Panamanian jump school, two trips humping from Jotc to Kobbie, and all the jungle time. Best tour I had in 20 years of service.
A Co (Motengator) then C Co (Charlie Rock) 90-94
We did jump the gator, but we didn’t have her strapped to anyone. She was rigged with her own reserve chute and kicked out the door just like the cherries.
The best times that I had in the military was with the 508th and the best friends that I ever made was with them.
I forgot to say that I loved Panama so much that I married a Zonie.
First of all, I want to thank all the old and new Motengators that have taken the time to write something on this site. I found this site by accident and let me tell you all that I remember the lot of you. My name is Johnny Tate- (the hootch) was my nickname while I was a Motengator from 1977 to 1982. I was the Zonian that was in 2nd PLt. SSG Butcher was my squad leader. I sure miss the water jumps at Gatun Lake (ski docks)on the Atlantic side and the Istmus crossing to Gatun train station that 2nd plt. won, and what about the pt runs to Veracrus Beach led by Cpt Keneally (RIP)leading the way singing the Gators Want Some Meat song. I’m a 1st grade teacher down here in Panama. I retired a SFC in 1997. Please call (507) 264-8889 any Motengator welcome !!!
yes! I remember airborne tate, lol good to hear you are still alive, those were good airborne days, I recently saw terry trotti who served in the weapons plt with me. we met in bandera texas on march 26th 2014. my number is 361 442 7198. give a ring sometime tate.
hey guys nice to see soom motengaters out there remember you well i was with 3/5csc motorSGT and then headquaters 2/187th motorSGT 82-86 i remember 1sg rock ,jungle school,venado drop zone OVALO,met a lot of good people seen them come and go we had boston whaler’s then not row boat’s looking forward to hearing from some of you bill,les,bobby,jim antion
Moatengator from March ’85 thru ETS Nov ’86. GREAT times. Worked hard & played harder. 3 trips to Honduras – Tiger Island. Remember Taboga Island & the ferry? GREAT times. Ovalo & Ancon Inn – need I say more?
I am #37 above……………….
Gator from 82-84…..Best assignment ever. Some of the best soldiers in the world served in A co.
Site owner would you mind sending me a jpg of the gator patch at the top? Thanks.
Great times for me also. Only bad thing was my first wife left me. HHC 2/187th to C Co. 1/508th. My last great commander was Capt Anderson. I believe he is a B.G. now. Closest friends Sgt Blodget, Sgt Summers, SSg Sherman. Went thru 3/7th SF Jump Master School Ft Sherman. SSG Holt and Sgt Hodges were in C Co. with me. Does anyone have pictures of 84-87?
Gator 76-79. I was an FO in the WPNS PLT and had a blast. Was actually talking with a “baby gator” (that’s a post 90s gator) a few weeks back, and he was telling me that they were told that jumping the gators was a legend only. Let me tell you – we JUMPED our gators. Had three of them, CSM Gator, SGT Gator, and CPL Gator. All three had personnel files maintained by the Orderly Room, complete with DA-1307 Jump Records. We had to stop after being caught by the CG of MAC, but before that those gators jumped darn near every month.
I’m a bit of Challenge Coin collector. Any idea where I can get hold of one of the Moatengator Coins? We did not have them while I was there.
I WAS A MOATENGATOR IN 86. GREAT MEMORIES. JUMPED IN OPERATION RIO HATO 86.WHO REMEMBERS EATING AT CASCADAS? THE GIRLS AT COSTA BRAVA? LA GRUTA AZUL?
A gator from Feb ’83 to Jun ’86. Worked the Arms Room ’84 to PCS in ’86. Anyone still have their coin, keep in next to my Ranger coin. Coin check!
Still remember 1SG Rock vividly especially when he personified the comic book image on Bn field day – stogie and all. Roomed with Ed “the sponge” Dunn and Jimmy Costa – Mr. P-town himself – trying to catch up with them. Did a 30 day stint on the Radio relay station in Honduras (it wasn’t as nice a place as Tiger Island)… I do tell folks that it was the place I was professionally trained to “stir it up” if you know what I mean! I was part of the contingent (58 of us) that cross-trained with the Equadorian Special Forces (my favorite jump wings still) although their jumping (maybe I should say Rigging) techniques scared the bejesus out of me! I didn’t know how good I had it on Kobbe – until the sent me to Ft. Bragg.
Have a good one gents!
Eric Melillo
Was a Moatengator from Dec 1983-Aug 1985. 3rd Platoon with SFC Oliver (Swally Hugnuts) Good old days with Villafonia, Helmic,(Dry Cod) Pickens, Wild Bill Cardenas, Skelton, Shipley, Cofresi, Herman, McCallum, Dell, Gound, McGee, Warren (War Dog), Bobby Pass, Sparks, Gilreath, McCurdy, and so many others. Yea, that was my CS Grenade that went off in the barracks, oops. Escuala De Paracadismo and Pana Jungla at Ft Cimmaron. Down Range at the Ovalo, remember Oscar the bouncer? 1SG Jerry Larue Rock leading Company PT, running radar hill. Good old days.
WHILE Seems like forever ago. I was the BN Supply Sgt and the the Charlie Company Supply Sgt. Also Charlie Co. Hq’s Plt Sgt. Panama from 84 -87 Great times. Seen a lot of good people come and go with the Regimental system being put into affect. Any of my old friends out there????
1981-84 2nd plt Good times, everyday was an adventure. loved the jumps and kicking the shit out of the jarhead’s when they attempted to party in our bar. laughed my ass off when Cherry’s hooked up with “quakos” on 4th of July av by accident and hated the insects. Still remember the nasty taste of Cervesa Panama and Seco Rum. How about working charge of quarters on pay day and fireman carrying your drunk ass airborne brothers up 4 flights of steps. Anyone up for a game of Warball?
Ft Kobbe was the best duty in the military still remember JOTC and green hell . served in 1983-85 but wasnt airborne was with B brty 22nd fa. Artillery baby REDLEGS
Ft. Kobbe 536th Eng ’85-’88, greatest times of my life with the best people ever. “PANA JUNGLA” !!!!!!!
Harold Massengale, 81-83 3rd PLT; 87-89 2d PLT. MATT MYERS,
What’s up Doc? We served at the Ovalo and A Company (ABN)3/5. That’s me #28 below you, Sgt Harold Massengale.You were going for your MBA at Michigan State last we spoke. I think I was the PSG of the Ft Rucker,Pathfinders at the time. Give me a call my Quako brother @765.524.8960.I’m retired, living in Indy.#2-91 Ranger school.Made it, retired 2001.Sad News,The Legend CSM Rock passed from cancer last Tue Mar 2d. I’m in contact with the family so if anybody wants something passed on,e-mail me @hmass@comcast.net, this is therapy to the family;I was in touch towards the end-greatest man I ever met!
Harold Massengale 81-83;87-89 Legend CSM Rock passed last Tue,MAR 2d,2010 from cancer. DOC MYERS get in touch. Anyone who has a 1SG Rock anecdote for the family contact me at hmass@comcast.net as I’m in touch with the family; it’s therapy to them;I was in contact towards the end; Greatest Gator Ever;Even if you dont and from that era, e-mail me. DOC, don’t make me come looking for you, either.