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
sorry, it was around 2:00 a.m when I posted. I was there from 81-83. Came on the same as Col. Taylor Mr. Tie down. Anyone have Cardenas number? I remember Hull and when he got his arm cut down range. ? How many gators can you get in a Pam. taxi 13, and then the tires blow. Happened to us when we trying to leave post to go downtown.
I was station in the Panama Canal Zone from 1974 to 1977.
First assigned to HHC HQ CMD at Fot Clayton and then to
Company C 4/20 Inf at Fort Clayton.
My buddy(who was like a brother to me was in CSC 4/20).
Who died later.
Too bad that we ran thru the jungle that was sprayed
with Agent Orange.
To bad that Pres. Cater gave the CZ away.
I would loved to live there for the rest of my life.
Write to me if you want to chat.
C Co. 3/5 Inf Commandos lead the way…..hooah, we ate gator meat at the raid and ambush sites. Bn altercation Sunday Engr’s against the Battalion, what a mess!
And Carl I Still have that Moc!!! You bastards!!! where have you been!!!??? Ian, Harry, great to know you’re still alive. VERY sorry to hear about Lamb. What a loss. I have a bunch of fotos and will download asap. I thought you all were all gone. Great to ‘see’ you all again. i checked the facebook page and didnt see many of the 80-83 crowd but will post there too. If anyone knows where SSG Hlinak is or Bozo please pass that on. Matt myers
Doc u spend alots of time in 3rd platoon area with bilingsley, Devito, sgt Becerra n sgt Bowman I would like some of those pic if u dont mind
Terry Cole just saw you here too. i have a photo of you, me, and joe dudas on my office wall and damn if my wife doesnt think you are handsome. i told her you never smelled good after a few days out. hope you are well let me know where you are. Matt
oh yes. moccasin drink from the Ovalo photo coming up…………
no way doc!! I can’t believe you still have that moccasin. I’m not far from Bragg and doing well, still above ground. I have not seen Cole since my short time at Bragg 84-85. Do you know how to get up with him? I was sent to Benning by DA in 85. Sgt. Styron took me out after I grad. Ranger school. Bad idea. He was a black hat at Benning during that time. I was in contact with Schramm. Found Nix. Looking for Nye,Joe Dudas,Capps and the others. Can’t wait to see the photos. I remember you helping me with my feet after my first boot run. Man, I still have the scares. Remember Sgt. Carl, SSG Hinak roommate, get some clothes on.
Doc Myers, you would not believe who I have made contact with just yesterday. Cole, Nix and Pops. I can’t believe those guys have been less than 30 miles away from my house. I spoke to a former gator who owns a printing shop in Fla. and he has the old gator tee shirts for sale. I have asked him to send me one XL of course I told Nix I would send him one too. He was exploring getting the gator done. Will keep you posted. Cardenas and Warren where are you guys!!
Talked to war dog and cole today. Both are doing well. Cole and I are planning a get together at my house. Plus I’m ordering some Moatengator tee shirts that I found on net. It’s called 11Bravo Promotinal Imprinting. They are out of Fla. Will post pics. Doc Myers I told Cole that you posted a message.
Carl great timing. I just recd an email from Terry. If i can figure out the technology i will post on the facebook page. Nix prominent in white overalls. Have not talked with SSG Hlinak in years. Nor Joe D. I am in Knoxville, not too far away. Let me see if i can post these things…..
Doc, cole and his family will be coming to house in two week when he has a break between class. You are going to have to give me your email address so I can send you some pictures. Do you have the old gator tee shirt? If not you can go to 11bravo promotional imprinting the owner is a fellow gator.
Me and family long 3 other family’s are head up your way in April, easter break.
I’ll talk with later Doc.
carl
Doc got my tee a week ago. It’s sweet my kids love it. Have you spoken to anyone eles lately.
doc, cole and family came over two weeks ago. We had a great time. I told him that I emailed you. My family is just coming back from Spring vacation. We went to a cave that was 20 miles away from Knoxsville, Tenn. We rented a cabin in Peigon Forge Tenn for a week. All us had a great time. Spoke to Nix yesterday mailed off his shirt today. I understand that you a prof. at UT.
Talk to later
nephew
I was there form 73 -74 then transfered to B co bandidos in 75 why?? married a as we called them a hooch and moved back to lewis 9th inf the next year Vanado dz was a bitch if you got stuck on boat detail but I loved every minute of the 3/5 and that short ass DZ beat the hell outa gatune dz and nothing but h2o
Hey! whats up Bob????Jesus It’s been ages man…I’m #35 above.Wow! I can’t believe it. The Panamanians erased Gatun from the map. The whole town is gone…our houses gone,the clubhouse,pool, elementary school, every fucking thing is GONE!!!!!
A sad site for the eyes brother…They are expanding the third locks right through our town. I retired down here in 1997. I’m a 1st grade teacher… been teaching for the past 12 years. I’ve seen Sgt. Brown, Sgt. Butcher, spoke to Herman, and SgtHuckins. Hey! my phone number is (507) 264-8889 or 215-3342.
HEY WAS A LEAPNLIZARD (THATS WHAT THE LEGS CALLED US)BACK IN 73-74. WAS A MOATENGATOR IN IST PLT, IST SQUAD N WAS THE PLT RTO. SFC BARRIOS WAS PLT SGT AND MY SQUAD LEADER WAS SSGT SWEAT. PANAMA RULED AND GREAT MEMORIES AND THE BEST DAM PARATROOPERS IN THE ARMY BACK THEN. SO MANY MEMORIES OF OF SOLDIERING AND PARTYING. LOOKIN FOR ANY GATORS THAT WANTA BS ABOUT THE OLD TIMES. OD JUNGLE FATIUGES AND WAS THERE WHEN WE SWITCHED FROM THE AIRBORNE CUNT CAP WITH THE PARATROOPER PATCH ON OUR HEADGEAR AND GOT THE MAROON BERETS, THE LEGS HATED US!!!!!! FREAKIN LEGS. SPIT SHINED BOOTS THANKS TO CARLOS THE SPIT SHINE PANAMANIAN DUDE. HE COULD CLEAN UP A PAIR OF JUNGLE BOOTS IN A HEARTBEAT AFTER A LONG HALL IN THE JUNGLE. HOLLAR AT ME
STILL AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY
DANNY KNAUSS
Evening Gators,
found this on Youtube, I don’t know if you’ve all seen it, but here you go guys. And where ever you are please be safe, happy and keep the faith. HOOAH!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUTQExmJ2qw&feature=related
Moatengator from 72-75….there was no better Unit in the Army then. we worked hard, and played hard. Trips to David and Anton to the orphanages there were inspiring and the people for the most part loved us for that. Bass fishing at buoy #41 outside the Miraflores locks, Arrijaan clubs, the Fiesta del Orro in Puenta Chame, jumps at the French Cut, Venado and Rio Hato. Leap Fests with the Columbians, Bolivians, Panamanians and others….Jumping C118s and C47s with the Panamanians. The sugar cane, mangoes and papaya in Rio Hato…life could not have been better for a 19 year old soldier far from home.
A special shout out to Bob Austin and Johnny Tate, two high school buddies whom I was proud to serve with as a Moatengator. I was in 1st PLT. with SGT Foster, Sgt Johnson, Sgt Watson, also Bozo, Cowboy and T-Bone, along with the other toughest(names will come to me later) men to walk the face of the earth at the time. Damn, we stayed in the jungle all the time, with visits to the barracks for rehab. Standing in the door going over Venado beach waiting for a green lights was, well it was pretty fucking awesome. I salute all of you Moatengators.
Johnny Tate I’ll be calling you soon. I was just in Panama a couple of weeks ago. Things have changed as you mentioned above. Maybe Bob will see these posts and we can hook up sometime. Take care brothers.
1979-1982 HHC 3/5 assigned to A company i was the only crypto/rat-rig operator and worked my ass off as we all did i learned what it is to work as unit i would go to hell and back with my fellow gators i know they would die for me as i would die for them there will never be a unit as close as we were in A Company .i am looking for what is left of our company several have chosen to take there own lives .nobody could understand what we were all about unless you were there.my cousin and i were the only family members in the same unit by chance E-4 carmelo Borges killed him self in chicago sp-4 alverez died of an overdose sgt gonzalez shoot as a ny police officer the list goes on .only you proud few live to say i can was there and am here to talk about it .please post my e-mail address i would like to document a history of all the heroes who are gone my fellow gator RIP (ABN) god bless all our fallen gators
We are here and I remember borges n I use to run together with bradley and some other guys in Panama city
sp-4 angel rodriguez E-Mail angelcholor@gmail.com
561 255-2832 please call i need as much input as posable
If I remember right I was there 79-81, I’ve seem a few names on here I remember. A couple things I remember- swimming at the french cut,Napoles restaurant,Capt Teston was company CO then,the CO changed just before I left.
Cpt Teston n 1st sgt Rhodes at that party in rodman was kind of drunk n told the cpt jump mother f jump
I was in bravo co. with 1stsgt. lamica , he pulled me out scouts. Off the top of my head- vargas , lynn, medic. suillivan,woods, gagliano,crawford.I could on and on. The time frame was 84-86. anybody remember me give me a call would be great to talk. 602*-488-5734
sorry I did it wrong 174 anonymous is Steve Verdugo
Danny Knauss, you were there when I was there. I was in 3rd plt with the Mad Mex (Roberto Hernandez), I remember SSG Sweat & SFC Barrios very well. Do you remember SSG Thomas O’dougherty? He got busted and I ran into him in Korea in 76. Drop me a line.
Tom Harrington here. I was there 78-80, with my first six months in country as a Bandito and then leading a wave of transfers to A co. My first weekend there I cleaned the gator pit. It was too bad that I wasn’t as mature as my aspirations, so after after I left there an E-1 from multiple pot busts, even taking one for my roommate, I passed the E-5 board 10 months later. Some of you know I had to leave the 101st Pathfinder Platoon after beating up the three Scouts at a bar. Upon my return to my old unit Aco 1/503rd they immediately sent me to the promotion board. It’s hard to keep a determined Moatengator down.
If you guys remember Col Le Hardy jumping with us, he ended up leading the 3rd Brigade, 101st Abn for a few years, he remembered those times with us in the breeze fondly. He gave me a break over which wings were on my hat, since I just couldn’t find an Air Assault badge, that would stay on my gear like Jump Wings. 😉
I broke my back in a training accident at Craig Village July 12, 1982. The condition has become worse over the past thirty years and now I am 100% with the VA (70% w/ unemployability) If anybody has an injury they are dealing with, I am willing to share what I have learned, so your journey thru the process doesn’t last as long or be as trying as mine.
Please feel free to contact me at thomasmharrington@gmail.com
Ok, I tried Johnny R Tate’s number, but it doesn’t work, so I tried a few more from down there and they don’t work. What am I doing wrong, is there a code for Panama calls? I appreciate any help on this, because I’ve been to his home while I was there and an old friend like that deserves a call.
My number is 928-642-2807
Mark??? Go to the Facebook Moatengators Group and look at my picture. Bozo was put in my room when he first got there. When I went to Johnny’s house, T- Bone was there too. I think he might have drove us there…. Anyway, my phone and email is in my last two posts and my name link goes to my FB page.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted so wanted to chime back in. I’m happy to see more Gators finding this place, my era 81-83 seems to represent well. I’m on Facebook so pretty easy to find, both Docs Meyers and Womack. Thanks for all the mentions, guys so please forgive me should I omit anyone. Still in touch with Tim Rock (the Legend’s younger brother) so again, any anecdotes you want 1SG rock remembered by, please send them; the family rightfully eats them up. Periodically stay up with Mike Stein and all his great pics from the time. Hollywood Ingo Neuhaus (check the filmography) killer movies, never the lead, then tv, now commercials.Went back to Kobbe 87-89 where Jeff Eversole was C co and I in Lamica’s B Company-damn is it ever true you can never go home again. Talked to Professor Jay Nix the Scientist on the horn once or twice. Ditto Doc Myers (get off your ass with the pics already Professor Hillbilly) hmass@comcast.net, also Facebook, so no excuses. Doc Womack tracked me down several years ago. Eversole was an RI in the Mountains when I went to Ranger school on my 33rd birthday and routinely yelled, “do push-ups Ranger Massengale” without breaking stride. That’s my buddy. Johnny Tate, your name sometimes coes up on the C Co (ABN/PFDR) 509th INF site and I gave out your grid but not your phone number, better for you to do that. We were there, only at different times, so please check in, Pfdr. You, too, Tony Dean. Terrence Cole visited me in my 82nd barracks awaiting the Q course-I knew that stud would smoke it. Anyone read the Morehouse book? He sure has milked that headshot into a career, I e-mailed him and he admitted to certain liberties for a future movie that I doubt will ever happen. One of the smartest guys I know, Malcolm Huckins has e-mailed me a few times, long-retired SF. Have spoken with XO Prker many times-cool as ever, commutes back and forth from New England to his wife’s homeland of Panama, of course.… Read more »
For all the former Charlie Company ‘Commandos’; we just brought up a facebook page for our unit at the following URL:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/475340272490346/
Current members include:
Anthony Cortazzo
Added by Neil T Freeman last Saturday
Blair Heath
NP at Palm Beach Pediatrics
Added by Greg Griffin about a week ago
Donald Kernan
Director – Operations / Special Investigator at Access Investigations Inc.
Added by Greg Griffin on Monday
Greg Griffin
Works at Raytheon
Joined about a week ago
Greg Sturm
Works at Texas Star Express
Added by Greg Griffin about a week ago
Ira Fisk
Arsenal Technical High School
Added by Neil T Freeman last Saturday
Joe Amerling
Added by Greg Griffin on Tuesday
Neil T Freeman
Southern New Hampshire University
Added by Greg Griffin about a week ago
Rich Glasgow
Wildlife Control Specialist – Archery Division at Department of Woodland Security
Added by Greg Griffin about a week ago
Rick Lombardi
Thomas Edison State College
Added by Neil T Freeman last Saturday
Robert Zayas
Owner at RZ Investigations, INC.
Added by Greg Griffin about a week ago
Todd Hogan
Locksmith at Locksmith Phoenix – Alcatraz Locksmith
Added by Anthony Cortazzo 11 hours ago
Anyone remember Estes Airborne 1981-1983 Fort Kobbe? Remember Hubbard, Johnson, Serge, Scuba, Gator to mention a few.
Sorry I was there 1983-1985, in Panama at Fort Kobbe.
I was stationed in Panama with the 3Bn/5Inf from July 77 to January 81. The first year as a RIMP at PAC, the best job in he world. The other 2 and a half in A co ABN. 1st platoon. George Metzler, Craig Roberts, William C Wilson 3rd, Tim Tom, Tate, and Doc Ortiz to name but a few. Was on the Pistol team 79 & 80. showed up to a formation on a Saturday in scuba gear ( was getting short). Some great times!!!
I WAS STATION AT FT. KOBBE FROM NOVEMBER 76 TO AUGUST 26 77
I WAS ASSIGNED TO 3RD PLATOON SEARGENT WASHINGTON. I LEFT AS CAPT PAUL HERVEY WAS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO MOVE ACROSS
THE STREET TO HHC,Bco, Cco, COMBAT SUPPORT BUT THERE WERE NO VOLUNTEERS SO HE PROCLAIMED THAT ANYONE WHO EITHER MISSES
PT OR DROPS OUT OF A FIVE MILE RUN WOULD BE SENT ACROSS THE
STREET. SO I LATER ASKED WHY THIS ORDER WAS GIVEN HE SAID WE WERE OVER STAFFED. AND BRIGADE SAID THERE MUST BE CUTS. SO I WAS TOLD I WAS A CANDIDATE TO MOVE I SAID NO JUST SEND ME BACK HOME SO HE DID. HOME IS IN DALLAS TEX.
I was a Moatengator(SP4)70-71, went to 82nd and returned as SGT to B Co until slots opened up. I remember you Loth in 71 w/1SG Johnson (Big Moat) and Cpt Treat. Hey Terry Burger-I remember a few things!?!, John Ochranek-I was the unit clerk in B Co while you were Tng NCO. Remember Mad Mex, Made E6 there 3rd Plt 3rd Sqd. (Vangrinsven, Washington, Tisch, Cooley,SFC Lewis) memory is fading. Pachulio (ranger.right?) Became a chopper pilot after OCS. Great memories of Ancon, NCO Club, jungle ops, jumpmastering etc etc.
@129 Mike
Gregory Roy Carter was a fellow Moatengator medic and good friend of mine. I last saw him in ’87. Knew he was planning on marrying that woman in the Air Force. Didn’t know he passed away. Bummer.
tucker 1975-77 a company airborne really crazy time hung out with friends at ft clayton and gulik skydiving I started out at ft davis then to kobbe. remember super sarg. that jungle was f up. sniper school was really cool.
hey estes do you remember me an Gator ;
Brands and all the guys from mortar Plt well brands was supply I just found this site Pret fucking cool its a blast from the past. (83 85)
Put in 2 years 77-79 at Co.B 3/5 “Bandido’s” at Kobbe. I ended up going Airborne a couple of years later. Stationed at Bragg with A Bty 2/321 Fa. Bn. 82nd Abn. 80-83 13F3P Was a mortar maggot in Panama 11C it was cool as most of the time we rolled around in Gamma Goats while the grunts walked. We did get out and hump the hills too. Pulled aggresser duties when 101st came down, we smoked them. Did PNCOC over on the atlantic side, remember crossing the Chagris river with poncho rafts and guys in boats with live ammo patrolling they said to keep the Barracuds / sharks away. We all pushed the rafts a little faster as we swam. Remember A Co. had the mess hall in their barracks. The damn thing had to have the Red, Black, Green Afro color pattern painted in a strip around the place. All the bro’s sat together and would always “Dap” handshake and what not. And the whites sat together and every now and again we would beat our glasses with our forks. Racism was very much alive in that army. Cpt. Pelosi came in one morning when I was C.Q. and had me go wake up all the NCO’s as he was going to do a Health and Welfare. I went and beat on my guys doors first and told them to ditch their crap into the centrally located latrine as it was a common area and they could not bust anyone for that. The mortar platoon Sgt. was SFC. Johnson. A Vietnam vet, big black man, and he was totally cool about everything. I heard rumors that the A Co. guys would always try to find stray cats to toss into the kayman pit. Was there when A Co. had to deploy to the Jonestown Massacre in Guayana to help clean up the site. President Carter came to Panama City to sign over the Canal Zone to Gen. Omar Torrios, I was like the only white guy in the crowd as a couple of Hueys circled over head with… Read more »
Hey Florio would love to talk. Do you know where Gator is?
Hey Flo, send email to cestes03@bellsouth.net with contact info.
Found this site by accident. Lots of old memories. Good to see posts from Tate, Doc Womac, Pops, Taddeo, Bumstead and Hollinrake. Any of you come near New Hampshire drop me a line. David_C_Johnson@Raytheon.com
Merry Christmas to all the Gators out there. Still keeping in touch with some of the guys. Was there from Dec. 81 to 83.
Life was simple then. A young mans dream. You can’t make up some of things that happened there.
Gators eat their young.
Doc Black. I was with you on that surfing trip. Actually, it was my Town & Country board we took… If Memory serves me… we drove up in a black jeep. I have pictures of that day… send me an email and I can send some of them. william.c.mccauley@us.army.mil
DJ give me a call I’m in fairhaven mass
Was there, 1981-1983 got drunk got in the gator pit and got busted LOL lot of good time there would love to get in touch with any old Moatengators that remember that party man did we drink that night also remember the bar jumping at the Ancon in and the Overlo with rot gut Seco rum and hookers great time and great guys a lot older now and wiser have to anyone who remembers me am now working PSD in Iraq just getting ready to deploy and found this site. Thanks for the memories.
Chung.
by the way still have a bunch of old photos showing prepping for missions and jumps some in the jungle and some water jumps and some of the Co with some of the guys. by the way doee anybody remembers Sherman and Moralles
Hey Massengale what’s up just saw your name
Wow lookin at this shit just blows me away Was a moatengator mortar maggott 76-78 remember when we lost a 81mm tube on the jump and it took hours to find it because it looked like a stump sticking out the ground. I remember getting drunk on night train in the barracks and called on alert jumping drunk as hell.