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10-18-07 Tim Chiles,...
I was at SBU-26 from Sept 1991 to Sept 1995 and went "down
range" to Bolivia, Honduras, El Salvadore, Columbia, Equedor,
and Bolivia. We had several SBUs come down to SBU-26 to
cross train. I remember when you and your guys came down in
94....."Chilly" |
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Tim Chiles on PBR MkII |
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More Chiles Photos |
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PB842 being closest to camera. We are at the
log boom for the water range at Lake Gatun circ. 1992.We are
getting our 25mm chaingun quals. The trainee is me the
trainer is GMG2 York |
Cross training SBUXI Rat sets up twin 50s
with BFA setup on PBR MkII
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Plaque photo
- Scott Cruise |
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Magazine article from Full Mission Profile
- Centinelas de Rios Y Costas by Lt George Hogan, Jr.,
USNR, SBU-Twenty Six. Located at Pier 3 on U.S.Naval
Station, Panama Canal, Rodman, Panama, is a command unique
to the US Atlantic Fleet. Although it appears unassuming at
first glance, the constant hum of activity soon makes even
the casual observer aware there is more here than meets the
eye.
Read More Here.
(Require Adobe Acrobat)
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07-12-07
Kevin O'Obrien I served
with SBU-26 at Rodman from 1990 to 1992. I was
assigned as an ETC(SW), then transferred as a CWO2.
LCDR Steven Siegel was my CO, and LT Brian Losey was
the Exec. Good to know you guys are here. Hooyah!
Kevin O'Brien, CWO USN (RET) Huntersville, NC |
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| NSW Riverine
Programs in Latin America |
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| SEALS and Special
Boats in SOUTHCOM |
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| The heavies of
26. L toR, MKIV PBs, 841,842,843, MKIIIPB 759. PBL 06
Command Boat from NAVSCIATTS (far right). Located at
RodmanNavSta Panama. SBU-26 Building in background. |
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MKIV PB
tranisited threw thru the Panama Canal. |
Ramo Raider -
PBL |
Night Gunshoot Lake Gatun |
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PBL patrol |
Latest version of the PBL note arch
modification and radar position.
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SEALs and Boatguys the deadliest combo on water |
PBL carrying SEALs in Panama note name of
Boat Grim
Reaper |
SBU-26's home turf.
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PBR twin 50 gun mount. SBU-26 provided armed
escort for Nuke submarines through Canal transits. |
SEALs inserted by PBR the other PBR
provides cover.
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Gunner fires M60-E3 on PBMK-IV at twilight.
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Panama provided SBU-26 the greatest Training
and Op areas and live fire and explosives were the norm in
training. |
PBLs in a simulated ambush. Responding with
speed and
gunfire.
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1993/4 photo of PBL on Lake Gatun
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PBL patrol heading up river
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Cap explosion at night. Hooyah Napalm!!! |
SBU-26 MTT in Columbia training the host
nation crews on their own boats. |
SBU-26 "Down Range" in Bolivia working with
the
"Blue Devils" |
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Down range in Columbia. SBU-26 on MTT was at
it
best. |
Hot extraction Live fire EX. PBL with SEALs
on board gunners lay down suppressive fire. |
Hot extraction Livefire gunshoot, With SEALs
gone on first PBL the cover boat PBL is laying down
suppressive fire. Note 7.62 Mini Gun aft. |
MKII PBR shows its maneuverability in a high
speed
180 turn. Note weapons on board |
SBU-26 supporting Air Ops on Lake Gatun.
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Photos from Ted Walter |
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| SBU-26 MTT in El Salvador a
Lantana River Patrol Boat. Note Patrol Boats
underway in background. |
SBU-26 MTT El Salvador patrol
boats photo credit Ted Walther |
SBU-26 MTT note twin 50 cal Mgs
on El Salvadore Patrol Boat. |
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HARBOR PATROL UNIT/COMBAT
CRAFT DIVISION (HPU) 1975-1987
The Harbor Patrol Unit (HPU) was established in Panama in 1975
originally drawing active duty Crewmen and Boats from both
East and West coast Coastal River Squadrons during a time
when the U.S. was worried Communism was establishing a
foothold in Central America. Subordinate to USSouthCom, it's
mission the defense of the Canal Zone in Panama. The Panama
Canal was and is one of the worlds most Strategic waterways
in the world and the HPU for years provided waterborne
security that expanded into other missions. In 1987 HPU would
be established as Special Boat Unit-26. |
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The HPU Patch worn by the Boatguys |
HPU developed its own qualification
patches... Blue Star was Combatant Crewman....Red Star was
Boat captain.... White Star was Patrol Officer
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10-19-07 My name is
Scott Cruse and I am a retired BM1[sw] who was stationed at
U.S. Naval Station Rodman Panama Canal CZ from 1982 to
1988. I was attached to HPU as a
Boat Crew member and upper gunner of PCF6 , then
Boat Capt of PCF6 and later we became SBU 26.
more photos and stories here |
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HPU MKI and MKII PCFs escorting Sub through
Canal. |
A HPU PCFMKII
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A HPU PCF MKI in the Canal.
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MKIIPBR and MKIPCF in Locks of Panama Canal
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2 HPU PBRs and PCF transit through the Locks
of Panama
Canal |
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PCFMk2 and PBL on Lake Gatun |
HPU Combatant Craft, PBR, PBL and PCF in
Panama |
HPU PCFMKI note its modifications in weapons
mounts and radar up-graded from the Vietnam
version. Escorting Submarines and other Navy Capital ships
thru the Canal would be known as a High Value Transit( HVT) |
Boatguys of HPU Panama. A good view of the
MK-56 Twin 50cal gunmount on PCF MKII |
Ramo Raider PBL This craft was unusual as
gunmounts could be relocated anywhere on a rail system.
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U.S. Army rangers from Fort Sherman transist
on HPU
Swift boat.
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HPU Boat Captain checks alongside tow at
speed of Army
Mars inflatable boat.
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HPU PBL makes high speed run
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HPU Boatguy on PCF ready to return fire with
Blanks on exercise with Army
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HPU Boatcaptain on PCF note OIC Qual Pin on
Chest.
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