Personal Narrative: My Trip To Gator Base

The flight to Panama was long and bumping as I flew aboard a C-141, this aircraft is no longer in service. As I departed the aircraft, I was met by oppressive heat and humidity. As I looked around my new surroundings, I could not help but think that it looked as if someone had laid a giant green carpet over the landscape. It was definitely the most beautiful country that I had seen and, in my opinion it still is. The tarmac was busy with all kinds of activity going on. I asked where I should wait. I was directed to wait near a group of containers, I suspect it was to just get me out of the way. I had no idea where I was supposed to be or who I was supposed to meet. I did not have to wait long before a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) arrived to pick me up. He asked if I was going to Gator Base. I told him that I was new and did not know where Gator Base was, now that I think back, he probably …show more content…
On 16 December 1989, we had heard that Panamian Defense Forces (PDF) had shot and killed a Navy Officer in the city. We knew little about the details, we wondered what would happen as a result of this act. On 17 December we attended a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, at the conclusion we wandered off to go relax. I am not sure the time, but as we were getting ready to go to sleep, the siren for an alert began to blow. Surely they were not going to do this now? The Command Sergeant Major and other Senior Leaders came through “the Bubbles” and told us to grab our gear and move to the vehicles. We loaded on the vehicle, not really knowing if this was just a drill or not, but they were going further with this drill than they ever had in the past. Our Platoon Sergeant came out and told us that this was the real deal and that we were pulling out and moving to FT Clayton to stage. Things suddenly got