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 ’73 thru ’77. Actually started out as a Bandidto (there were no slots in A Co). Arrived as a SGT and left as an E6, then on to flight school. I was mainly the Training NCO in HQ Platoon for our CO CPT Harris. Who remembers 1SG IJ Elder? Or when LTC Tuhoy got relieved in the field by BG Richardson? Many great memories. I have many pictures, old jump manifests with names, ranks and SSNs, used Moatengator patches. Would love to get in touch woth old Moatengators from the same time frame.
there from 73 to 76 you say you started as a bandidto then became a gator. I started as a gator then became a bandidto aftre my knees blew out I think arround mid 74
Oh crap I just read that 1st Sgt Rock passed away sad news indeed he was a hell of a leader!! I was a Moatengator 83-83 2nd Platoon then HQ running the NBC room.
Moatengator from ’89 to’90 A-Co. Best times while in the Army, best jumps, best (most loyal)friends, and best place on earth to be single! Reading all of these stories brought back all the good memories. Jumpin’ the gators, drinking hard, living good. Were else could a could a big ol’ ugly mo-fo (like me)do so well with the ladies… well at a small cost… sometimes a chicken dinner & a beer at the club could do the trick !! Would be good to have a reunion with all of the fine troopers that ever served with the 508th. If any of my airborne brothers in arms would like to communicate, my e-mail address is: wechtenhisersc@owensboro.org
Remember: feet-n-knees together, live hard, play hard, always do your best.
A Co. ABN 76-78 and w/my Dad (Navy) 60-64 (WWII, Korean, Vietnam)Bronze w/Valor.
Best guys ever. I was shocked to hear about Cpt. Keneally, Hell of a leader, wouldn’t let MP’s do any searches.Always trusted his men, wrote a letter for me to bypass 101st and go to 1st Rngr Bn.
Yes the Cayman’s were jumped w/trooper and there were 3. There is a picture of Aco. running in a parade with the gators, I’m in the middle. Anyone got that photo? Mine was stolen long ago.If you look close you will see a big bandage around the finger of the guy to my right….always paid to be alert when you went into the pit.
Great guys like SSG Highsmith, Loren Ramos, Sgt Haws, Sgt. Mcdonald, Sgt Ochoa guys who did make a difference in my life.
AND the guy who sold the Harley I paid for (to someone else) and went back to the world while we were in the field…you out there Drew?
LONG LIVE THE MOATENGATORS! AND THEN SOME.
Co. A, 3/5, arrived June 1982
Things I remember
– Monday morning “death runs” in our jungle boots (along the beach, up and down radar hill)
– Combat soccer
– Marathon guard duty – 4h on 8h off for a week. Gouda cheese and crackers!!
– The “Twins” spit shining our jungle boots
– Tossing our stinky ass gear (after a week in the jungle) out the windows to be cleaned
– Formation at the Ancon after duty, Seco Rum, leaving the bar and it was already light outside
– Naked dancers at the Ovalo
– BBQ meat on the street (so f***ing good after a night of drinking beer/rum!!) lol
– Land crabs near the river, Holler monkeys
– Aggressor duty on the Ft. Sherman side, setting up camp inside the “no go” zones and trading rations with the local
– Cleaning the gator pit (extra duty)
– I remember the following names: Sgt Tamm, Sgt “A” Alexander, SFC Blake (a bodybuilder, Mr. Panama I think), Schramm, Lamb (RIP), “Rhino” (can’t recall his real name), Sgt Herman (we were on the competition team, I ran the M60), 1SG Rock (RIP) [FOrgive me if I spelled anyones name incorrectly, it was a long time ago]
– Getting Boston Whaler certified so we could support the jumps at Venado DZ (I have some great pics, will try to get them scanned and posted)
I still have the coin, patch, and I think I may still have the t-shirt “Gators want some meat”
Have to say Co. A 3/5are my fondest and strongest memories of my service of and for Uncle Sam.
Has it “really” been almost 30 years??
My God, time does fly.
Jim Costa says…
check it out guys……
What a time we all had, 82-83 I was sad when i heard about 1SG Rock passing he was a damn fine man one of the best NCO’s I ever served under in uncle sams army. I hope all you brother paratroopers are fairing well. One thing we will always have are the great memories of serving in one of the finest units in the united states army.
Lot of old names – Johnny Tate, Brian Gibbons, Nye, Harry Massengale, Taddeo. Great to hear from all.
Was an A 3/5 1 plt.SFC Weston and Wpns Plt.SSG Green.Co .Cpt Treat(KKK) 1 SGT Johnson and short timer SFC Colon.A great Co.with lots of work ,that helped Me thru my military career.Remember Lt.Ivey (KIA NAM),LT Ingrahm and many more .After 18 months went to C co.due to Me bringing the EOP on Cpt.treat for “False “information.All the SSG came from Bragg and they all had something in common ,Training to be the best.They didnt want my Pltsgt ,Quinones to be top soldier ,but he later became Bde CSM at Div.I retired ,but I will never forget A3/5 .Thats were I became an NCO.Any one from my time???.
Hey fellow Moatengators, it’s been a long time since I made a Bar Jump at the Ovalo but, remeber it well! Just had to shead a tear for 1SG Rock and Ol Joe Lamb, Lamp was my roommate and took me under his wing. I humped the 90mm RR and the M60. I grew a lot in Panama and Party’d hard too! Almost didn’t leave the county an E-5. remember that nut Cpt. Morehouse? He really went on to be fully certifiable!That Hondo mission was pretty cool and the Pana-Jungla/Jump courses back to back was worse than Ranger Sch. All the best times of my life! Retired 1SG (Aco 2/325th) now living down in Key West, FL.
Sea, sky or muff..no muff to tough..we dive at 5. Calling all Moatengators. Just talked with Wild Bill Cardenas and he gave me the heads up about this site. Found out through Bill about 1SG Rock’s passing over the phone. Only the good die young. Joe Lamb will be missed. Miss the jungla and the fellowship of all. Initially with second platoon, then to third (1982-84). Living in Hawaii.
Does anyone remember the skull head we found? We called him Fred and when we were thowing C-rats to the kids we would stick the head out and light WD40 and the kids would all freak.
Fred went missing one day…..we think 3rd Plt. kidnapped him but never received a ransom letter.
The twins would never give their “secret” out about how to get jungle boots to look so damn good! I tried the day I rotated back and it was a no go.
last thing…does anyone remember the Puerto Rico jump in I think 77. All of the bases we were thrown off of, the Merchant Marines also threw us out.
Had to hang for a week extra…Almost everyone got scabies because the matresses were from the 50’s and the semi truck we “liberated” and all had 1/2 gallon Don Q Rum.
Noone had any money so the officers got together and obtained a loan from the Credit Union and loaned us a few bucks until we got back.
They just don’t make guys and times like that anymore!
Heh All I was at Fort Kobbe Canal Zone, Motengators from December 1971 to 1974, Looking to hear from anyone station with the 3of the 5th in that time frame, does not matter what company, had a great time there with all, really like down town, I think I was one of the few that did not marry a local, I’m retired now and live in Arizona, looking forward to hearing from one and all
I forgot my e-mail address is onetap2000@yahoo.com
Not a Motengater but do have a few jumps on Venado (now Dubois-Coats)DZ. Isla Bona was the 30 second and the beach was the greenlight. Anyone jump Shark or Blue DZ?
Oh yeah Venada DZ!I remember once 2nd platoon my platoon did paddle out with the Zodiacs for training in between “sand flea”missions.I fricken hating to land right past Old Baldy because thats where the Black Palm were.SHIT!Those things go right through you.Kobbe Beach on sundays were always crowded and I hated to put bug juice all over me so I dont become lunch for the sand fleas there.Oh yes brings back some cool memories indeed.I will never forget you guys.
Was in panama, Kobe 83-84-85
518th engineer company that transitioned to 536 Engineer Battalion
Venado
Jungle School as OPFOR
Mahinga swamp, hell I had names for some of the rats out there…
K10D demo range in empire range complex…
mooning soviet “fishing” trawlers in the canal off of Miraflores locks (with 200 antennas) from Huey’s and Blackhawks…
LOL
Raced MX right there by the Swing Bridge to clayton (on the Kobe/Howard side)
Good times
Did they still have “Major Obo” as the OPFOR leader in the 80’s?
Played him a couple of times. We always had to take 3 days to find everyone lost, especially the 82nd.
They came with an ego and left snake bit!
Hello Moatengators. I have seen the name “Captain Kennealy” in several of the comments above. As a member of “The Florida Swamp Ranger Association”, supporting the Ranger Instructors of the Florida Portion at Camp Rudder, I have noticed that the chapel at Rudderville is named “Kennealy Chapel”. Would this be the same person?
Any of you latter day Moatengators know Sgt Larry Elders? He is alive and well. Serving as CSM of the 6th RTB at Camp Rudder, Florida. Not sure if he was a “Moatengator”, but he has done a tour down there.
Frankly Opionated,
Yes, the Chapel at Camp Rudder is named after my father, Col. John T. Keneally who is also the Capt. John Keneally from the Moatengators. He was the commander out at the Ranger Camp from 1988-1990. During that time he had the chapel built so the Ranger students could go to church. He loved his country, his family and God too! He was killed in October of 1992 while in command of 3/75th. Thanks to all who have remembered him on this site. RTLW!
Kate Keneally Manley
Thank you Kate. I am so proud to be a member of “The Florida Swamp Ranger Camp”, able to be among America’s heroes, supporting them and their families. I have enjoyed many quiet moments in that chapel, and will continue to do so.
Kate,
Your father will always be the best leader I could have hoped for in Aco. 3/5.
HE DEEPLY CARED FOR EVERY SINGLE MAN.
He would borrow money from the Credit Union if we were stranded somewhere, he always made sure we had “walking around money”.
RLTW!
is anyone out there that was at fort kobbe c z from 1966 to 1968 ?
Thanks to Lynn and Frankly Opinionated! There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss him. Thanks so much for remembering my Dad, Col. John T. Keneally. You couldn’t possibly know how much it means to me.
Does anyone know Gregory Roy CArter? He passed away in 1997 in NC. Married a black woman and had 2 kids? Thanks
Gators,
Terry Cole here,
I see some of the criminals I use to run with, (81-83)
I do remember Doc Meyers and the drink from the MOC
SSG Hlinck, Pops Vorpahl, Schram, Gallagher, June, Hernandez, Massengale, Ford, Eversol, Cardenas, Tadeo,Blake, Daniels (Funny Cat)Teston/Tokarz LOL, Morehouse was 3rd PLT LDR, Mulholland was XO (USASOC CDR) All the stomping grounds
More than enough time in Group but A 3/5 will be the one.
God Bless Joe Lamb and CSM Rock. I got that one cats lowering line and harness after he hung himself on that jump.
I was at Kobbe from June ’81 to June ’83. I remember everyone. 1st Sgt. Rock. Platoon Sgt. Fulton, (the prick.) Sgt. Cantu. Rangers Elden and West. Mark Hull, Bobby Nye,Eversole. All you crazy bastards. I was on CQ one night and wrote on the chalk board: MONGOLIAN RITEX BARBQUE AT THE AMADOR OFFICERS CLUB FRIDAY NIGHT. And 8 dumb ass brown bars showed up with their wives and dates. Nothin but a San Blas bartender watching Hee Haw in Spanish.
Anyone out there from the Motengators 1972-75, drop me an email at
tburger@austin.rr.com. Worked at the Jungle School 80-82 & 85-88.
Have a place on Taboga Island. If anyone wants to call (512) 784-7133.
Stay in 20 years and always had the best memories of the Motengators.
Was in 2nd Platoon 81-83 used to run the gauntlet with Brian Gibbons and Joe Lamb RIP my old friend. My e-mail is futbolcoastie@yahoo.com if anyone like to get in touch. Best time I ever had in over 30 years of service was my time as a Motengator. I retired as a Coast Guard Master Chief in 2011.
Served in A company back in 81 to 82 and it sure is good to hear some of the names of my old Airborne brothers. Who could forget that place i sure can’t. Christ I had alot of fun down there
MOATENGATOR FROM ’70-’71 – HARLE TREAT CO AND DONALD “DUKE”
JOHNSON 1ST SGT – WASN’T A BETTER TIME TO BE HAD IN MILITARY!
WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM STEVE BENTON, DAVE ROBERTS, AND STEVE
BACH (BATCH) OR ANY OTHER MOATENGATORS FROM THAT TIME PERIOD.
80-82 Hi guys good to hear from everyone, I was recently back in panama, Koby beach is now a 5 star hotel, Panama city is still the same as it was. 508-287-4570 still in was in Ramadi, Iraq 05-06, love to hear from anyone….Hopefully headed to Afghan soon!!!!
May ’68 – June ’70. 1st plt. SFC Robert Dunlap, SSgs Epps, ‘Ranger’Johnson. Others served with: Sgts Sylvester Robinson, Clarence Humphrey, Ronald Carter, Timmons, Alfonso Smith, Steinberg, Ochoa and Eddie Lee Hamilton; John Calloway, Sp4 Goins, Edward Lewis, James Coe. 1sgt Donald “Moat” Johnson, CSM Sousie. Medal of Honor winner Joe Ronald Hooper. Cpt. Phillips (kia- 1969. Loved wake up those “dirty, nasty legs” during PT runs. Would love to here from anyone served during that time. Does any one know where I can get Motengator and Jungle expert patches?
bcncees66@comcast.net
Thought name would have been included. Sgt William Coachman 68-70.
A MOTENGATOR STORY FROM LONG AGO IN DAYS OF OLD
IT STARTED AS A USUAL NIGHT WITH THE PARATROOPERS OF A CO. 3/5TH AIRBORNE. THE SECOND PLATOON FROM THAT COMPANY HAD PLANNED A JUMP AND A PARTY AT THE POPULAR WATERINING HOLE, THE OVALO. THE PERSONNEL CONSISTED OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE WHOLE COMPANY TO INCLUDE LT DENNIS AND SFC BLAKE; PLATOON LEADER AND PLATOON SEARGENT RESPECTIVELY.
IN A SLIGHT DRIZZLE A FORMATION WAS HELD ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE OVALO. THE TROOPS WERE IN CIVILIAN CLOTHES, BUT NOT EVEN THE AMOUNT OF DRINKS COMSUMED TOOK AWAY THE MILTARY BEARING AND PRIDE THEY EXIBITED. AS SFC BLAKE CALLED OFF THE NAMES THE INDIVIDUALS SOUNDED OFF WITH A LOUD AND THUNDEROUS “AIRBORNE”, OR VARIATIONS THEFROF, OR ANYTHING THAT HAPPEND TO COME TO MIND AT THE TIME. THEY THEN PROCEEDED INSIDE THE BAR FOR THE JUMP.
ANTICIPATION, EXCITMENT, JOY. THESE WERE THE FEELINGS RUNNING THROUGH THE MINDS OF THE THIRTY ODD JUMPERS AS THEY ASCENDED TO THE TOP OF THE BAR AWAITING THEIR TIME HONORED JUMP COMMANDS. MANY HAD DRINKS IN THEIR HANDS, ALL HAD SMILES. THEN THE VOICES OF THE JUMPERS ROSE IN A SIMULTANEOUS ROAR AS THEY CAST THEIR GLANCES TO THE RIGHT. CPL ELDON WAS AT THE TIME MARKING THE DROP ZONE WITH VS 17 PANELS AND A STROBE LIGHT.
THE JUMP COMANDS WERE GIVEN, KNOWN BY ALL MEN AND NEVER TRULY UNDERSTOOD BY THOOSE OF A LESSER BREED. BY THIS TIME OTHER PATRONS OF THE BAR HAD GATHERED AROUND TO GAZE AT THIS AMAZING SPECTACLE; ALTHOUGH AT A RESPECTABLE DISTANCE. THEN CAM THE SOUND OF SFC BLAKE’S VOICE: GO!
PANDEMONIUM ERUPTED, JUMPERS WERE GOING OFF THE BAR AT ONE SECOND INTERVALS. ONLOOKERS GAVE AN OVATION SELDOM HEARD IN THE CIVILIIZED WORLD. THE ALMOST SUBLIMINAL SOUND OF A GLASS BREAKING AS ONE OF THE JUMPERS LET FLY A RUM AND COKE, MISTAKING IT FOR A RUCKSACK IN ALL THE EXCITEMENT. THE LAST JUMPER EXITS AND SFC BLAKE SIGNALS “CLEAR’ HE AND HIS JUMPING SAFETY TAKE THEIR OWN BRIEF PERIOD OF HEAVEN BEFORE THEY HIT THE GROUND.
Hey Gators, Como estas?
1/89-5/90
AO J street ( Ancon Inn and Ovalo BarJumps), don’t tell Cpt.Zebrowski >.>’
Venado DZ and Jungla Expert School( ” Hey where’s my Banana Boat you Pogue!!??”)
And all our “Real World” midnight Ops that WE didn’t even know we were going on, but the Hooches did..WTF? So much for OPSEC
Peace Gators and Be Safe!!
Any Charlie Company Commandos from 85 – 87 out there?
I am trying to locate a friend of mine name David Howard or David Kenneth was stationed in Fort Kobbe Canal Zone from 1982 thru 1985 please contact me at tutor43@yahoo.com yacky02_6@hotmail.com
There from 78-80, FIST C-Co, HHC, Then CSC, FIST for A 3/5, CPT Teston was my last Co.Commander there at A Co. 3/5. Cpt. Bookout was the HHC CMDR at that time. Remember Cpt. Pelosi have the dogs go through B Co. seems like every Monday morning.
I was you FO for those that remember me. Had a little apt. in Vera Cruz, paid $50 a month for it. Yes I remember many a good days, and the twins that shined our boots. Good Times and yes we were JUNGLE EXPERTS !!! Reverse Cycle Training, heck seems like we never got that one week off, it was always Guard Duty. I have the year book from there.
sgt butcher gator from 75-80
living in panama retire
daniel hoooh give me a call
64083626
Rock on moatengators 90-92 2nd platoon.
Mcartle crew.
Rock on moatengators 90-92 2nd platoon.
Mcartle crew.832 754-6823 Houston
Rock on moatengators! 90-92 2nd platoon.
Mcartle crew.call if you got time
832 754-6823 Houston.GREAT DAYs
What a trip this is. A real blast from the past. There were three of us that graduated from Balboa H.S. that were Moatengators during the late 70’s. Jonny Tate, Mark Pocock, and myself. Talk about having your cake and eating it too. Herman, I was also in the third herd. Greek, Custy, Carrol, Baringer and Gonzo, Sgt. Rodrigez and Sgt.Parker, I’m sure you remember.Also, I’m pretty sure that A.K. is the King of some mountain in Hawaii. Later Gators.
I was there from 76-78 in the 3rd plt sgt Roberts.Best time long live the moatengators
83-85 man those where great times. Pops and Lamb where my roommates when I fist got there. I remember Sgt Fulton. Cole whats up? Have seen you since Bragg. Nye how can I forget you, wild Bill Cardenas, Eversole, Schram,and Gibbons. Was sad to hear the loss of 1sgt Rock and Lamb. I tore his shirt when we where playing combat football. Nephew he said, you owe me a shirt. I was his RTO for a time. Had to clean the gator pit it sucked. Drank from Doc’s Moc.