Operation Acid Gambit facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Operation Acid Gambit |
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| Part of the United States invasion of Panama | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States |
 Panama |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Col. Peter J. Schoomaker Eldon Bargewell Gary L. Harrell |
Manuel Noriega Unknown |
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| Units involved | |||||||
.svg){kind=small} 1st SFOD-D Night Stalkers |
 Panama Defense Force |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 23 Delta Operators 4 helicopters |
unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 4 wounded 1 helicopter crashed |
5 killed 1 captured |
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Operation Acid Gambit was a secret mission by a special US military team called Delta Force. Their goal was to rescue Kurt Muse, an American who had been arrested in Panama. He was held in a well-known prison in Panama City called Cárcel Modelo. Muse was arrested because he was accused of planning to overthrow the Panamanian government.
Why the Mission Happened
Kurt Muse was arrested in 1989. He was accused of setting up secret radio broadcasts against the Panamanian leader, Manuel Noriega. This rescue mission, known as Operation Acid Gambit, involved 23 special soldiers from Delta Force. They were supported by helicopter pilots known as the Night Stalkers.
The rescue was put on hold until the United States began its invasion of Panama. This larger invasion, called Operation Just Cause, started on December 20, 1989. Later, a newspaper called The Washington Post reported that Kurt Muse was working for the CIA, which is a US intelligence agency.
Before the rescue, Muse had a strange meeting with an American officer. This meeting happened in the prison's public visiting area. Many other prisoners and Panamanian guards were also there. During their talk, an American helicopter flew very low and fast over the prison. When the noise stopped, the officer spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear. He said there was an order to kill Muse if the US got into a fight with Panama. This meant Muse was seen as a hostage. The officer then stood up and declared that if anyone hurt Muse, no one in the prison would survive. The room became completely silent as he left. He said this knowing a rescue mission was about to happen.
How the Operation Unfolded
The mission was led by Lieutenant Colonel Eldon Bargewell and Major Gary L. Harrell. The Delta Force soldiers landed their MH-6 Little Bird helicopters on the prison roof. One soldier was supposed to climb down the side of the building. His job was to reach Muse's cell window and stop the guard who was ordered to kill Muse if a rescue began. However, that guard was not there.
After blowing open the rooftop door with explosives, the Delta soldiers quickly ran down two flights of stairs. They headed straight for Muse's cell. A Delta soldier found and killed the guard who was supposed to kill Muse during a rescue. They tried to shoot the lock on Muse's cell door twice, but it was too strong. So, they used a small explosive charge to blast open the door and get inside.
Once they reached Muse, the Delta soldiers gave him protective gear. This included body armor, a special helmet, and goggles. They then quickly moved him to the roof. From there, MH-6 Little Bird helicopters would pick them up and take them back to a US base.
Muse, who they called their "Precious Cargo," was now safe. A Delta soldier called for the helicopters to come and pick them up. But during the flight away from the prison, the MH-6 Little Bird helicopter carrying Muse crashed. Four Delta Force soldiers were hurt in the crash: Pat Savidge, Tom Caldwell, James Sudderth, and Kelly Venden. Everyone on board quickly found cover in a nearby building.
The Delta soldiers managed to signal one of the attack helicopters flying overhead. They used an infrared strobe light to get its attention. Soon after, an armored personnel carrier from the 5th Infantry Division arrived. It picked up Muse and the rescue team, taking them to safety.
Several years after this daring rescue, Kurt Muse worked with author John Gilstrap. They wrote a book about the event called Six Minutes to Freedom.
See also
In Spanish: Operación Acid Gambit para niños
- List of special forces units
- List of operations conducted by Delta Force
- List of Delta Force members
- Raid at Renacer Prison
