Time in the Zone

After Fidel Castro shocked the world by proclaiming Cuba a communist state and aligning himself with the Soviet Union, the Cold War battle lines were moved to a mere ninety miles from American shores. The United States countered by forming the 8th Special Forces Group in the Panama Canal Zone. The Group's mission was to assist Latin American countries in their efforts to prevent insurgencies from toppling legitimate governments. The specially-trained "Green Berets" responded to all requests from their host countries, whether by holding formal training in classrooms, directing construction of facilities such as clinics, propaganda offices and jump schools, or transforming conventional soldiers into counter-guerrilla fighters in steamy jungles. At all times, gaining the hearts and minds of the people was paramount. The missions were on sites away from home and often lasted for many months. Their remoteness prevented regular communications with home base, creating an environment where sound judgement, initiative and leadership were compulsory. Not only did these Special Forces soldiers serve throughout Latin America, but also their families had to manage a new life in the Zone. Few Americans are aware of the undertakings by the 8th Special Forces, much less of their achievements. The sometimes clandestine nature of the work and the intense spotlight on the evolving Vietnam conflict at the time, kept the Group in the shadows. There are thousands of untold stories in that darkness. This book contains a few as witnessed by a junior officer.