The first wave of American military personnel and dependents who have been advised to leave Panama arrived back in the United States looking tired but happy.
A chartered jet with 276 people aboard touched down at Charleston International Airport late Tuesday in what the Defense Department said was a "hastened withdrawal" from the Central American country. A second jet carrying military dependents was scheduled to arrive here late Wednesday.The Pentagon on Tuesday announced it would step up efforts to protect relatives of military personnel and requested that those dependents either move onto bases in Panama or leave the country.
Lt. Col. Bob Skinner, an Army spokesman at Ft. McPherson, Ga., said that when possible, the tours of military personnel with families in Panama would be curtailed.
However, he said, most would remain in Panama until replacements are found.
"We're calling this a hastened withdrawal," Skinner said. "An evacuation is mandatory. This is not mandatory. It is not an emergency. It is voluntary."
Skinner said the withdrawal was "primarily because of concerns regarding the current uncertain situation in Panama - a concern that's been accentuated by the recent harassment of U.S. personnel in the violent aftermath of the Panamanian presidential elections."
He said there are an estimated 3,300 military personnel and dependents being urged to move. There are about 14,000 military dependents in Panama.
Among those arriving Tuesday were Army Sgt. Raymond Johnson, his wife, daughter and son.
"Being a family man, I felt it would be safer to have my family here," said Johnson, of El Paso, Texas.