United States Navy Special Warfare. Condition: Used, but in nice shape. The coin is 1 5/8 inches in diameter. Naval Special Warfare Unit EIGHT. Naval Special Warfare Unit EIGHT (NSWU-8) is based in Rodman, Panama. Commanded by a Navy Commander (O-5), it consists of a headquarters element and has operational SEAL platoons from Naval Special Warfare Group TWO that forward deploy to NSWU-8 on a six month rotational duty. Currently, NSWU-8 maintains operational control of two SEAL platoons and Special Boat Unit TWENTY-SIX. NSWU-8 is under the administrative control of Naval Special Warfare Group TWO, and operational control of Special Operations South and Atlantic Fleet, South. NSWU-8 provides operational support to forward deployed platoons and conducts theater planning for contingencies and exercises for Naval Special Warfare forces in the SOUTHCOM theater of operations. NSWU-8 is capable of forming the nucleus of a Naval Special Warfare Task Unit, NSWTU. The United States Navy contributed extensive special operations assets to the invasion of Panama, code named Operation Just Cause. This included SEAL Teams 2 and 4, Naval Special Warfare Unit 8, and Special Boat Unit 26, all falling under Naval Special Warfare Group 2; and the separate Naval Special Warfare Development Group. DEVGRU fell under Task Force Blue, while Naval Special Warfare Group 2 composed the entirety of Task Force White. Task Force White was tasked with three principal objectives: the destruction of Panamanian Defense Forces. (PDF) naval assets in Balboa Harbor and the destruction of Manuel Noriega’s. Private jet at Paitilla Airport collectively known as Operation Nifty Package. , as well as isolating PDF forces on Flamenco Island. The strike on Balboa Harbor by Task Unit Whiskey is notably marked in SEAL history as the first publicly acknowledged combat swimmer mission since the Second World War. Prior to the commencement of the invasion four Navy SEALs, Lt Edward S. Coughlin, EN-3 Timothy K. Eppley, ET-1 Randy L. Beausoleil, and PH-2 Chris Dye, swam underwater into the harbor on Draeger LAR-V rebreathers. And attached C4 explosives. To and destroyed Noriega’s personal gunboat the Presidente Porras. Task Unit Papa was tasked with the seizure of Paitilla airfield and the destruction of Noriega’s plane there. Several SEALs were concerned about the nature of the mission assigned to them being that airfield seizure was usually the domain of the Army Rangers. Despite these misgivings and a loss of operational surprise, the SEALs of TU Papa proceeded with their mission. Almost immediately upon landing, the 48 SEALs came under withering fire from the PDF stationed at the airfield. Although Noriega’s plane was eventually destroyed, the SEALs suffered four dead and thirteen wounded. John Connors, Chief Petty Officer Donald McFaul, Torpedoman’s Mate 2nd Class Issac Rodriguez, and Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Chris Tilghman. To view miscellaneous challenge coins. NOTE: Never personally given any of the coins. All coins are guaranteed to be in excellent condition unless specified above. The free listing tool. The item “Navy Special Warfare Unit Eight Panama JUST CAUSE Navy SEAL Challenge Coin” is in sale since Saturday, April 27, 2013. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\Current Militaria (2001-Now)\Original Items\Challenge Coins”. The seller is “rolyat11″ and is located in Panama City, Florida. This item can be shipped worldwide.