Show #608 Notes: Jonathan Weygandt & Michael Herrera, Marine Encounters

Simulcast on KGRA Digital Broadcasting, YouTube, Facebook, & Rumble | Tuesday, May 07, 2024 @ 7:00 PM EDT (-4GMT)

Addendum to this show!

JONATHAN’S 2001 INTERVIEW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdEVUum8Nag&t=24s

mike letter

Operation Laser Strike was a counter narcotics operation headed up by Southern Command  in Panama. Commanded by Major Bob Cole and Master Sergeant Chris Diggons, units from 2d Marine Division (2d SRIG & 7th Comm Bn.) and 2d Marine Aircraft Wing (MACG-28, MACS-6, MWCS-28, 2d LAAD, MASS-2, & MTACS-28) were ordered to Pacullpa, Peru in April, 1996. The GO/NO GO games lasted until August before we finally went. We headed to Howard AFB in Panama to stage out of (directly attached to the Air Force’s 612th Tactical Aircraft Group) and flew to Peru in a combination of Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, and Southern Air Transport (?) C-130s during the first week. Once we got there we all got busy setting up equipment and building fighting positions. We were assisted by host nation air control liaison and our security was augmented by Peruvian Air Force (FAP), all under the command of Comandante Oviedo. Our mission was to integrate into an air, land, and sea radar surveillance command and control system to identify airborne narco traffickers.

Jonathan’s Grandmother’s house
Hidden driveway that Jonathan’s car was smashed into.

Book_SOE_By_Alva_Douglas_231206_140447 SOE Book Mission Explained _231206_140410
Marines assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 31 of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Indonesian air force personnel unload a pallet of food destined for remote areas of West Sumatra, Indonesia after earthquakes and landslides struck the region. Amphibious Force U.S. 7th Fleet is coordinating military assistance to victims of the recent earthquakes in West Sumatra at the request of the Indonesian government.