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
Moatengator from 1970-1971 “Old Moat Johnson” was our first Sgt. and Harley Treat “Trick or Treat” was our C.O.
Hey Doc Meyers. I have some incriminating pics of you drinking at the Ovalo with Ssgt Hlinak and me. Very few people know it was your infamous moccassin that I was the first to drink from on a dare. Email me at mj.stein@yahoo.com and I’ll send you the pics. I even have a couple of you bandaging Hlinak’s hand in the field. We were dressed as aggressors with the Gator patch on our shoulders.
A Co. 1/508th private Steinhauer permission to enter SIR HUA?! I have a picture I took of another soldier jumping into Gatun Lake in my living room here in Wyoming! One thing for sure, the best Duty Station even better than Ft. Lewis Washington! And yes you guys were the adventerous type! I was there from Jan 91- Jan 93. I remember vividly doing a night jump with the grass burned the day before and as my parachute deployed and I slowly dropped below the mountain as the Panama City lights dissapeard, what a great memory!
And no, I would not do it again!!!!
I was a Moatengator from the summer ’86 to ’88, and am in contact with the websites owner and several other moatengators. I remember Czarske,he was short when i arrived in panama, some of the other names on this page are also familiar, always loved going down range, bar jumps, monkey meat, the pier, check me out on facebook i am in contact with several former members of A CO. good times campers
I’m a proud Gator and I would like to send an open invite for all former Moatengators to get together this year at my house for a weekend cookout and reunion on June 11th to 13th. I live in Baltimore (30 minutes from DC) and 5 minutes from the airport. Send me a friend invite on facebook and I will send you the details. We have recently recovered the secret recipe for the “Airborne Punch” and will once again recreate this concoction in memory of our glory days at Ft. Kobbe.
I’m sorry to hear CSM Rock passed away. I was with him in Panama when he was a 1SG and again when he was CSM at the Academy at 101st. He ran into me and got me the job as a BNCOC instructor. I e-mailed him through face book and was not aware he was sick. What a loss, I looked up to him and tried to emulate him when I became a 1SG.
What a true loss.
I’m sad to hear about 1st Sgt. Rock. He was there when I got to Panama in 84. He was the ultimate 1st Sgt.
SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT CSM ROCK MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIS FAMILY AND ALL THE MOATENGATORS WHO SERVED UNDER HIM.I SERVED IN PANAMA 83-87 AND REMEMBER HIM WELL A TRUE SOLDIER.J BRADSHAW
I admired CSM Rock, loved hitting him low in Combat Soccer games, and cracking a smile when ever he was trying to be serious in front of the rest of the company (I became much better at push-ups). I respected his leadership and I’m sorry that I will never get to pay him back for all the $2.50 haircuts he paid for because I said I was to broke to get one. We were all better soldiers under his command. 2 platoon 2nd squad Aco 81-84
Seco; Coke and legal prostitution God I miss that place. The greatest soldiers in the world were at A company
Seco Coke and legal prostitution;The greatest soldiers in the world were at A company. Still remember the boys sweaten rum runnen up radar hill. 80 to 82
I was a Moatengator from March 84 through September 86. God Bless CSM Rock; aka 1st Sgt Rock when I served under him. I still remember when I first arrived to building 805 along with some other new arrivals from the replacement center in Clayton. I remember 1st Sgt Rock asking Eric Melillo to repeat his name. 1st Sgt Rock’s response, “Humm,Melillo,,,Sounds like a studder” (in his classic, stern, professional,matter of fact voice & demeanor. Hope you’re doing well Eric! Mike Sherbyn, its been a few years since I last corresponded with you. Hope you’re also doing well. Any other Moatengators from my era that remembers me, please feel free to contact me. I have a Facebook page my wife set up for me, which she checks for me (I rarely look in it). Moatengator Rahh!!!
That my previous comment. I am Jess Ojeda from California.
Moatengator Rahh! and Airborne All the Way!!
C Co 2nd 187th from 1/86 to 8/87. I remember Sgt Creekbaum (he posted earlier) as our supply guy. Cpt Anderson was our CO. 2 tours on Tiger Island. I loved running radar hill. Ft. Kobbe was my only duty post other than training as Benning, as I just had a 2-year enlistment. I would love to go back and see how Kobbe and Tiger Island look now.
A-Co. 1/508th HHC Platoon Mortars here. 1990-92. I have alot of memories of Venado/Dublois-Coates DZ. La Gruta Azul? anyone…anyone….La Cascada, guard duty on Ancon Hill, “Fun” runs to Kobbe Beach, Carlos the boot guy, the Blue Babalu, “empanadas….beef, cheese, chicken (Coatamundi?)”, Our Place, Bacchus night club, Jimmy the Hooch, trading MRE’s for GIANT plates of rice and iguana on Davis side during OPFOR for JOTC, That GIANT a$$ Croc in the Zoo, catching the cayman after they broke out of the ammo crates we jumped them in. Sgt. Brosowski almost got a chunk taken out of his leg trying to tape up the Cayman’s mouth. Good times…..
any one heard from abraham tabar a four star general by now have him e-mail me at ritablaydes@yahoo.com that guy loved the miltary more than my little brother who was a marine and army
Well just to add a little more hell to the situation. It seems that the DZ and runway area and the beaches were sprayed with agent orange
Beautiful site-taught Jungle School 8th SFG 1965-1966. Need to know where your riggers were and size Platoon, Det, Section? Doing an OrBat for Rigger Units of all branches of the services no matter how small. Were your riggers in the Airborne Units 508th. 187th, A/3/5th or in the Service & Support Battalion of the 193d Infantry Brigade? Historians dropped the ball in Panama and the 172d in Alaska. Very poor records but a lot of unit changes. Let me hear from yoiu.
My POC Email is williamramsdell@q.com
Wild Bill USSF Retired
I was a moatengator 76-78, 2nd plt loved jumping, remember a lot of the soldiers from then, got in touch with sgt. ochoa years back. i married the bn. chaplain’s daughter before leaving panama, still marriedover 31 years. my son is a 1st lt. in irag in the army. remember a lot of good times in panama.
I was a squad leader in Charlie company from 85 – 87. J-street, Anconn Inn, Ovalo, monkey meat, radar hill, kobbe beach, hondo, tiger island. Best damned unit I ever served in!
2/187 from 5/85-12/86 hhc Motor pool, anyone seen les frey, jackie elkins. great times (what I remember).. drop me a line mur325(at)yahoo(dot)com
I was a gator from july ’83 till june ’85 in 2nd plt, wpns sqd. ssg skjefte was sqd ldr, sfc sanchez was psg, then sfc paulino took over. hey kernan, u remember dropping me for being disrespectful to a “senior” sp4??? lol. gotta love the night jumps on venado. all u gators ck out the “moatengators” site on fb. lots of photos. my fb site is “ed dennis” if anyone wants to hit me up-anyone remember the night jump on gatun dz when paulino was jm and he fell out of the c-130 and landed in gatun lake???
I was with A Co 3/5 Inf from 76 to 78 and also with CSC 3/5 Inf Recons. Best part of my life is being stationed there at FT Kobbe.
Moatengator from 76 to 78 and CSC Recon 79
HOLA ! COMO ESTAS ? Moatengators, Glad to find the site and know the legend lives on! Condolence to CSM Rock, Glad to see Cash Craddock, Matt & Harold are still on the manifest. I Broke Bush with you guys back in the good old Days, late 70’s and return in 1985. Panama and the Montegator experience was the highlight of all my assignments. Missing all the good friends made in gator land.
Just found out that Joe Lamb (81 to 84 2ND Plt. Moatengator)passed last year. One of the Good ole Boys from Odessa Texas. Good Dude
Sorry to hear about Joe Lamb, I remember him when I got to A co 3/5, he was one of the old timers when I arrived. I’m sure he is taking a knee right now along side of 1SG Rock facing out with all the other true American Airborne soldiers still protecting this county.
This is for SGT.Creekbaum, I served with you in Charlie Company. I actually stayed at your place for a while. Didnt know if you would remember me or not. I dated a beautiful Panamanian girl that I think was a relative of your wife. I left Panama in 88 physically but it never got out of my system. I hope to retire there or near by soon. Just 10 more years to go. As many have stated it was the greatest part of my life.
I served during the years of 77-79. Sorry, to here that CPT J.T. Keneally, was killed. He was a cool company commander. And 1SGT. Turner. I was with 1st Platoon. I Had posted photos on MSN’s website. But they, took it down. I hate to hear all this right-wing talk. LIBERAL and PROUD. They serve their country to. Live long, live strong, Moatengators.
I’M “C”…………Aco.3/5th (Abn)Inf. Moatengators..77-79.
met up with doc harris (moatengator medic) in los angeles. hasnt changed much in 25 yrs. MOATENGATOR RAH!!!
Hello John Tate and Doc Myers ,How are you guys doing ? I was in Hq plt worked in commo with Robert Young and was Tokars rto . Drop me aline would like to hear from you guys ! Tony Dean
Motengator Medic (83-86)
2nd Platoon and Weapons Platoon
Moatengators Raah!!!
I was a Motengator from 1978-80 and 82-85. Masterblaster retired in 1999. I now live in Panama and have property on Lake Gatun. Fishing for Peacock bass is still great like it used to be. Check out my land in some pics. Motengators and legs too (LOL) are welcome! http://dansplacecampoalegre.sports.officelive.com
I was there from 78-80 and 82-85 3 platoon and the Armour for a while. Yes we jumped the Gators. Still remember when someone was following the lowering line through the elephant grass when one grabed his pant leg and ripped it to shreds. Lucky it missed the meat LOL. Tape came off it’s mouth. The Gators didn’t really like to be jumped. Retired and living in Panama now. Got some land on lake Gatun. Johnny Tate I saw your message and will call you. my e-mail is Daniel_Herman@Live.com Hoooah
Any one know where Terry Akuna, Pete Miller, Dean Kock, Ed Beardon or any of the 3 PLT guys from 78-80 Motengators are at? My e-mail is above in 83.
I was in A.Co mortars ( ssgt Kruegers boys) from 89-91. Being a moatengator and being out there in Panama was the best memory of my time in the army. I have never had friends like I had when I was down there, unfortunately I lost one of them on a jump, Timothy uderitz was my my roommate and probably the only one that Realy understood. Me because we Were both from
m “Cali”.I Really miss him. And who could forget my other partner in crime, Peter Ungarino! When I first meet him he Really was loud and a real trip but I’m proud to call him my friend. The shit I seen and did out there will be with me till the day I die! I just wish I was contact with the others in my platoon. TAFOYA, CREASY, STIENHAUR,GUY,CLARK,SAMENIEGO,DELGADO,SADANG,VAUGHN,HUMPHRIES,PERRY AND GOOD SSGT KRIUGER. Why can’t they have good fun places to go to out here in SO.CAL LIKE……CENTRAL SPA, THE ANCON INN, THE PHOENIX CLUB, THE BLUE GOOSE, THE OVOLO
I was there in the early 80’s with Eric Melillo and Ed Dunn. I served under 1st Sgt Rock. A true soldier and leader.
Dan Herman – my first Squad Leader in Panama, 3rd Plt, A/2-187th… later in 3/504 together at Bragg… Eric Melillo, I filled in for you as company clerk when you were on leave after your arm got ripped up in the static line… Shmegal! Mike Sherbyn – Hey buddy! You still got my pellet rifle from when you ETS’d from Bragg outa the trailer park over near Bragg Blvd??? LOL And Jess Ojeda, see ya on facebook. Ed Dennis, we gotta get hooked up on FB too… Dave McKee (Squirrel) and Scott Gilreath (Junior) are on FB, too, as is another old roomate, Mark Schwartz, and many others from that time… Costa, howdy!
My prayers go out to the late 1SG (CSM) Rock… what a great man he was.
Airborne all the way! Moatengator Raahh!
hey shout out to all gators 81 83 Taddeo 3rd plt /hqs tony dean h massengale whitfeid stein doc myersdoc womack johhny tategive a shout out 603 817-5175 gator out
We Have a Moatengator Page on FB:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=139555732747221&ref=ts
and a Petition to Get Central American Vets some Recognition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/CAVETS/petition.html
Also check out my book. I write about my Moatengator years in it!
http://www.mivida2010.com
I can be reached at neuro25@msn.com or at 714-472-8365
Maotengators Raah!!
A Co Medic 83-86
Howdy Guys, Its Rob Nye ,Im still above ground in So Cal.I was A co 81-82.I took Russ Hanneys body home after he passed away on Venado.Sorry to hear about Rock and Lamb.I no longer door exit off the top of bars,LOL! If any one remembers me get in touch.
I found this website looking for something else, I was a Moatengator from May 1979 to May 1980, left as a SGT and was in the first platoon the whole time. I retired from the Army as a CW4 aviator in 2000 and am in Huntsville, AL. If you remember our medic, Doc Ambro, he also went to flight school and is a retired warrant officer. Look me up on facebook t.schaefer@mchsi.com
Bill Atkinson, how are you doing? Been a long time since we hung out together in Panama. Tom Schaefer
Craddock!!! Write me, t.schaefer@mchsi.com
I posted a bunch of pictures in Facebook from 78-80 and 82-85. I have more but it takes time to scan them in. Do a search in Facebook for Motengators I think you can see them.
tburger@austin.rr.com
Motengator from 1972-75 and back to the Jungle School 80-83 and again 85-88. Loved the old Motengator days, worked for the Mad Mex (Roberto Hernandez) I have a home on Taboga now if anyone wants to stop by let me know, you can see Taboga from Kobbe Beach…..Moving back in 3 years.
Motengator nov 79 to nov 80 then i got pushed to C/Company Commandos with ranger mompalar after a little incident at the golden key involving the marines and 13 tables and 29chairs, to the best of times!
HHC 2/187th Medical Platoon (85-87′) I recall all the good times I spent in Panama. Was a medic for Charlie Co. – Ovalo, Ancon, going surfing with Doc Alderson early on a Saturday morning up the coast. Heard Doc Pearson got hitched there to a Panamanian – Hope he’s doing well. HAven’t heard from Doc “Mad Dog” Martin yet but am still looking. Rob Passons I ran across a few years back but lost track of – I’ll have to see if I can locate his sorry ass again. (LOL) Good to read all of the memories on here. Thanks for a wonderful trip back in time with this!
I was with A Co. 3/508th. in 1968 when it became A Co. (ABN) 3/5th. Infantry, 193rd Inf. Bde. (We were the only Airborne Infantry company south of the Rio Grande)
I started in weapons plt. under SFC “Pappy” Sendaldecker, and SSG. JW Clemmons…Company 1st.Sgt.Royce D. Burkett.
I left in Feb. 1971…
To NickHomyak above…Are you the guy who always answered “Nick “R”…when 1st. Sgt. Donald Johnson would call your name in formation?…
Best times I ever had in the Army were in the Panama Canal Zone…
A 17 year old private in A 3/5. Jumping then Venado DZ. Running PT from Kobbe to Venado Beach and running the platoon into the ocean.
Blew paycheck after paycheck downtown in the pusuit of happiness. Ancon, Ovalo and such. Pizza and Lasagna at Napolies. Wore slant pocket jungle fatigues with a Moatengator patch. Carried an M16A1 back then. Spitting death through 30 round mags on full auto.
Now 52, what a memory!