Last 80 GIs From 82nd Airborne Leave Honduras
The last 80 American soldiers from a force of 3,150 sent to Honduras in a show of strength against Nicaragua’s leftist government returned home Thursday, a U.S. Embassy spokesman said.
He said the last detachment from the 82nd Airborne Division left Palmerola Air Base aboard a Hercules C-141 bound for Ft. Bragg, N.C.
“They have all gone,” the spokesman said.
The troops, from the 82nd Airborne and 7th Infantry divisions, were sent to Honduras following Reagan Administration charges that Nicaraguan soldiers had invaded Honduras in pursuit of U.S.-supported Contras.
The Contras and Sandinistas have since signed a preliminary truce agreement after peace talks in southern Nicaragua.
The U.S. troops, who arrived in Honduras on March 17 and 18 and took part in maneuvers with Honduran armed forces, began pulling out Monday.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
