First ones on the ground in Operation Urgent Fury?

[Trigger]

Having a discussion with a 2LT (prior enlisted combat vet, so he's no cherry 2LT) who is stating that the 503rd MP Battalion was the first on the ground. I just can't believe that, knowing that the invasion was led by the 2nd Ranger Batt. who seized the airfield.

Is he right, and if he is, is it by a technicality? (i.e. their plane dropped them first, so they hit seconds before Rangers hit the ground?)

[K.Ingraham]

Having a discussion with a 2LT (prior enlisted combat vet, so he's no cherry 2LT) who is stating that the 503rd MP Battalion was the first on the ground. I just can't believe that, knowing that the invasion was led by the 2nd Ranger Batt. who seized the airfield.

Is he right, and if he is, is it by a technicality? (i.e. their plane dropped them first, so they hit seconds before Rangers hit the ground?)

"First on the ground" would be the Southern Command units stationed there since the dawn of time, or at least the 89 or so years that we had already occupied all or part of Panama.
Who rolled out of the cantonment gates seconds ahead of the other? Would the actions where US units attacked PDF forces on the same base qualify? How about the SF teams doing SR missions hours and days ahead of H-Hour?
Trying to define "First on the ground" is a pointless exercise in futility that proves or gains nothing.
Tell the LT that you just met the guy who struck the first blows of OJC - outside of a whorehouse in Gatun in October 1978 - with a couple of locals settling our mutual differences.

[Trigger]

Ranger K. Ingraham,

I'm a bit confused by your reply, as wasn't Operation Urgent Fury was in Grenada? Is there something I'm missing or are we just talking about two different events? I know today is the anniversary of the invasion of Panama, maybe that is what is sparking the confusion.

- Trigger

[PAC Man]

1/75 jumped ahead of 2/75 if that's what you're asking (not that it matters for much). I saw no MP's there. Wish I did though--- could have used some protection!

[Trigger]

1/75 jumped ahead of 2/75 if that's what you're asking (not that it matters for much). I saw no MP's there. Wish I did though--- could have used some protection!

I finished my conversation with him with "Well, if they were first, it was probably a good thing because somebody needed to be there to tell those Rangers "HEY YOU, NO RUNNING! RANGE WALK!".

[K.Ingraham]

Ranger K. Ingraham,

I'm a bit confused by your reply, as wasn't Operation Urgent Fury was in Grenada? Is there something I'm missing or are we just talking about two different events? I know today is the anniversary of the invasion of Panama, maybe that is what is sparking the confusion.

- Trigger

Freaking hell, you're right!! It's the anniversary for Panama & so that's what I had on my mind.
Sheesh, pushing 'em out now!

Sorry Trigger, actual answer is in print in several books and articles (none of which I have at work with me) and memiors. That morning "dark side" SOF units hit targets around the island before & after the first Ranger elements landed on the airfield; and as we tend to forget around here, a Marine BLT was landing on several points on the northern 2/3ds of the island as well. So, my point still stands in that multiple units were arriving within minutes of each other. Who has the biggest dick? MY outfit of course....

[RangerX]

I'm a bit confused by your reply, as wasn't Operation Urgent Fury was in Grenada?

Yes Trigger, Urgent Fury was the invasion of Grenada October 25, 1983.

Funny thing you should hear about the MP's in Grenada. We busted out a poser several years ago that was an MP or USAF Security Forces guy that made a similar claim. Wonder if he has re-surfaced.

Gonna have to find that old thread......................

That would be Rick Bernardi AKA Ranger Rick. He's kept his head down since I published part of his home address & phone number out in the open a few years back.

[ma91c1an]

The MP's flew into the airhead late, they air-landed, and hostilities in the vicinity of Pointe Salines had ceased by the time that they arrived. I no longer remember exactly when they came in, as it has been many years, and I never paid any attention to the MPs, but if I had to throw a time out there for the sake of argument, I would say that they arrived late in the afternoon of the first day. As far as I am aware, no MP heard a shot fired in anger.

Gunny Mooch can tell you precisely who was first onto the island, if he sees this thread.

[Looon]

I thought that Gunny Highway was there first? :D

[LRS Guy]

The guy who writes the Ranger Digest is completely different from Rick Bernardi.

Can't remember his name but he is legit.

[SkyShark]

I thought that Gunny Highway was there first? :D

[basicload]

Ranger Digest guy was tesheune or teshendune or something like that.

[abnhawk]

Rick Tscherne. Cool guy, just ask him. :D