Operation Sand Flea facts for kids

Operation Sand Flea was a series of training exercises carried out by the United States military in Panama during the summer of 1989. These drills were a way for US troops to practice for a possible future event: the invasion of Panama in December 1989.

What Was Operation Sand Flea?

Operation Sand Flea involved many troop movements and practice attacks. Soldiers would move around Panama as if they were in a real battle. These exercises were also known as "Freedom of Movement Drills."

Why Did These Drills Happen?

The drills had two main purposes.

Practicing for the Future

One reason was to train soldiers to defend the important Panama Canal. This plan was called Purple Storm. The Panama Canal is a waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It is very important for ships to travel between the two oceans without going all the way around South America.

Showing Military Rights

The other reason was to show that the US military had the right to move its troops freely in Panama. This was a way to assert their presence and authority.

How Did Sand Flea Work?

The exercises were done constantly and seemed to go on forever. This made it very hard for the Panamanians to keep track of what the US troops were doing.

Confusing the Panama Defense Force

The constant movement of US troops made the Panama Defense Force (PDF) get used to seeing them. This meant the PDF became less suspicious of the US military's activities. It made it harder for them to realize that a real invasion was coming.

Part of a Bigger Plan

Operation Sand Flea was actually part of a larger military plan. This bigger plan was called Operation Nimrod Dancer.