Manuel Noriega's Panama Defense Force Headquarters sustained considerable damage when the U.S. military attacked with precision gunfire.  A huge fire was ignited that gutted the main "Comandancia" building

U.S. military police occupy the DENI Station near Panama's Presidential Palace

A U.S. soldier guards the side entrance of the "Comandancia"

Ruins in Chorrillo

The charred remains of buildings in Chorrillo are a grim reminder of the tactics of dignity Battalion members, many of whom entered residential buildings and set fire to them in the wake of the the initial U.S. attack.

Many automobiles and buildings like these were reduced to rubble during the hostilities.

The Balboa Police Station sustained heavy damage from a precision attack by U.S. Forces.

In Balboa, a U.S. military policeman searches a refugee for weapons, as other homeless Panamanians wait in line.

After being searched, a refugee walks to Balboa High School to be processed.

Refugees in Balboa High School Stadium go about their business, drying clothes on lines strung between tents erected by the U.S. military.

A member of the U.S. military walks toward an overturned airplane in Paitilla Airport.   In the background stands a Marriott Hotel Rescue Vehicle.

A U.S. soldier surveys the wreckage of a small plane at Paitilla Airport.   Four Navy SEAL servicemen were killed during the taking of the airport.

Bullet holes riddle Manuel Noriega's jet, which was shot at by U.S. forces at Paitilla Airport

A United States UH-58 helicopter lies on the ground after being shot down by the PDF near Ft. Amador

A group of civilians views the damage done to PDF buildings at Fort Amador.  U.S. Infantry Units at Fort Amador opened fire with howitzers against the PDF's Fifth Infantry Military Police Company.

U.S. Special Agent James R. Dribble briefs the press in the field of Occult Rites (Santeria).  Some of Manuel Noreiga's witchcraft paraphernalia is on display.

A U.S. serviceman views the remains of what were once two-story buildings at the PDF's Air Base at Tocumen.  The buildings were leveled by U.S. Forces during the first night of "Operation Just Cause."

A U.S. Armored Personnel Carrier and concertina wire form one of several roadblocks set up near the Papal Nunciature, where Manuel Noriega took refuge before leaving to the United States to stand trial.

Major General James Johnson, 82nd Airborne Division, attends a briefing at Panama's old Tocumen Airport, the PDF's former Air Base

Masses of Panamanians demonstrate near the Papal Nunciature, demanding that Manuel Noriega leave the Nunciature and be brought to justice.  Hours after the demonstration, Noriega was on his way to the United States.

The sign says it all.

Photographs from the collection of
Burt Mead