Capture of Torrijos Airport

Capture of Torrijos Airport
Part of the United States invasion of Panama
Torrijos Airport
Capture of Torrijos Airport (Panama)
Date20 December 1989
Location
Result

American victory

  • Capture of Panamanian Air Force
Belligerents
 United States  Panama
Commanders and leaders
Robert W. Wagner Unknown
Units involved

75th Ranger Regiment

Panama Defense Forces

  • 2nd PDF Company
Strength
Unknown
4 C-130
1 AC-130 gunship
AH-6 helicopters
200
1 ZPU-4
Casualties and losses
1 killed
5 wounded
5 killed
50 captured
398 civilians detained

The Capture of Torrijos Airport took place as an opening action of the United States invasion of Panama, and was fought between the U.S. military and the Panama Defense Forces (PDF) on 20 December 1989. The goal of this operation was to capture the Panamanian Air Force, headquartered at the airport, and to close the airport to traffic coming into Panama.

The capture of Torrijos Airport was executed by the U.S. Army Rangers of the 75th Ranger Regiment.