killed and four more wounded. The SEALs then disabled Noriega's private plane by shooting it with an AT4 rocket. Shortly after, a MEDEVAC helicopter arrived and transported the injured SEALs to the Joint Casualty Collection Point at Howard Air Force Base. The SEALs held the area throughout the night, and disabled the runway for use by any PDF transport planes by rolling other aircraft onto it. The next day, the SEALs were replaced by a company from the 75th Ranger Regiment. Aftermath Due to the high level of casualties sustained (amounting to one-quarter of the assaulting force) and several inconsistencies regarding planning and command and control during the battle, the Battle of Paitilla Airport is considered one of the most controversial operations within Operation Just Cause from the US military perspective. The battle led to the death of four Navy SEALs: Lt. j.g. John Patrick Connors, 25, of Arlington, Mass. Chief Engineman Donald Lewis McFaul, 32, of San Diego, Calif. Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Christopher Taylor Tilghman, 30, of Kailua, Hawaii Torpedoman's Mate 2nd Class Isaac George Rodriguez III, 24, of Missouri City, Texas Nine further Navy SEALs were wounded in the battle. See also List of special forces units References External links "in Panama: stories of Operation Just Cause" "Operation Just Cause Panama", Ronald H. Cole, Joint History Office, Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1995 Conflicts in 1989 History of Panama 20th-century military history of the United States Acid Gambit Prison raids December 1989 events in North America United States invasion of Panama Military operations involving airports