Lock Control, Panama Canal Zone, Panama
As military duties went, Naval Attaché to Panama was one of the most boring and at the same time one of the most strategic positions in the US Navy. Commander Ted Jackson thought about this a great deal because he had a great deal of time on his hands. It was boring because almost nothing ever happened in Panama since Noriega was ousted. Strategic because of what he was about to do.
A smartly dressed man walked over, escorted by two assistants. “Commander Jackson, very nice to see you again.”
“Thank you, Director Javier. The pleasure is mine. I’m afraid this is an official visit.”
The declaration was no surprise and Javier was, as usual,very well informed. “I assume that your visit has something to do with the ten US warships which are arriving shortly.”
“Yes, sir.” He handed over an envelope with the official request of the US government to the canal operators to provide every courtesy to the US Navy. And another one from the President of Panama saying the same thing. “We are invoking our treaty rights to passage. Immediate and priority override of all locks.”
Javier did not look happy. “This is going to play hell with our schedules. Even using the new locks it will take a few hours for the transit.”
“I understand sir. Please understand that we do not make this request lightly.” He held out his hand. Javier shook it. “Thank you very much for your cooperation.”
With that handshake, eight Arleigh Burke destroyers and two Ticonderoga class cruisers transited from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific ocean. These ten ships represented the largest concentration of anti-ballistic missile capacity ever gathered in one place at one time. Once clear to navigate, they proceeded at flank speed to their underway replenishment rendezvous off the coast of Hawaii.
I was surprised the American Naval assets made it through the Panama Canal without incident or delay. The ChiComs have significant financial (controlling?) interests in the canal as well as operations on both its Atlantic and Pacific entrances. Specifically to prevent what just occurred. Unless of course your G2 is more accurate.
There is a specific treaty to this effect. The USA has the right to transit. We invaded Panama once when we felt that right of passage might be threatened. We would do so again. If our right of passage were revoked, we would simply re-invade and take the canal away. I don’t think the Chinese have a chance in hell of preventing a USN transit.
As a Panamanian, when you started talking about the Panama Canal, I figured you would mess it up; a lot of people are really not up to date with the new locks or the treaty articles. Glad to see you are not among said people.
Really enjoying the read so far!
Thank you!!
I was concerned about this part, glad to hear it’s close enough to pass muster with a local.