AIR ASSAULT: Fast and Furious Combat during Invasion of Panama | Craig Morgan

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Before becoming a country music star, Craig Morgan proudly served in combat with the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions.
In 1986, Craig Morgan enlisted in the Army where he served as a Fire Support Specialist (13F). Morgan served for 9 ½ years on active duty and 6 ½ years in the Army Reserves.
In 1989, Morgan was deployed to Panama in support of Operation Just Cause, which led to the surrender of the country’s dictator, General Manuel Noriega. Morgan also deployed twice to Iraq during the Gulf War.
Morgan has gone on to fight sex trafficking in Thailand and is an Ambassador for Operation Finally Home, which works to provide and improve homes for veterans, first responders, and their families.
Morgan began his musical career in 2000 and has since charted seventeen times on the Billboard country charts with hits like “Almost Home” and “Redneck Yacht Club”.
Interview recorded on May 29, 2023
Video Credits:
Interviewer - Greg Corombos
Editor - Daniel Taksas
Director of Photography - Jon Hambacker
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[@LeviHeatonIII]

I met Craig in Gold's Gym, in Lynchburg Virginia back in 2006. I had absolutely no clue who he was.I was talking with the girl at the gym counter when the venue he was performing at called to tell us Craig Morgan was coming to the gym to work out. Neither of us had a clue who that was or why they were calling to tell us. He struck up a conversation with me during my workout. Asked me if I listen to country music. At the time I did listen to country music, but metal was my preference. He asked me if I had ever heard Red Neck Yacht club or another rock country hit he had. I said yeah and he said that was him. I was like "no shit". He offerend me to come to the show for free and come back stage. I had two young kids and my wife and I weren't able to find a baby sitter. So, we couldn't go. Only later did I realize Craig Morgan sang "What I Love About Sundays" and "Almost Home". I wish I would have known at the time. Those.two.songs have been extremely emotionally movong to me since before I met him. As an artist I know he would have appreciated that. Especially since I basically had no clue who he was. He was an extremely humble man.

[@wendysbaconator1175]

Craig Morgan is a bad ass. Army service, country music artist, and deputy sheriff… that’s an impressive resume.

[@scottbivins4758]

Now all we need is for him to be president and it will be complete

[@surfart5448]

I was an Army forward observer with XVIII Airborne Corp 1st 25th field artillery at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and have listened to Craig Morgan's song for years, I wish I could rejoin the Army at 69 years old, I still physically fit!

[@reddevilparatrooper]

Thank you Brother for supporting my battalion the 1/508th PIR during the invasion!!! Glad to know you were one of the guys that blew up the Commandancia. Right before Thanksgiving in 1989 I was at the OP at the Ft. Amador golf course and reported sighting the ZPU-2 23mm anti-aircraft gun to my battalion S-3 and did confirm it later. So you were with Delta Battery 320th FA Airborne Foward Observer Platoon that supported the 1/508th PIR at Ft. Kobbe. Thank you!!! FURY FROM THE SKY!! AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY!!!

[@mikew4207]

I saw him make a guitar strap out of duct tape in Kirkuk Iraq. He forgot to bring one on his USO tour. Genuine Hero.

[@rockymountainhigh1207]

Hats off to this fellow Veteran!! Love his service first the person he is and his music!! Served in OJC!!

[@robertspeakman6523]

Listening to him talk makes the back of my throat hurt.

[@Satchero]

Knew there was a reason I liked him. Had no clue he is a Veteran! Awesome dude. He is right about Korea, I remember sitting around the barracks with the guys, drinking and strumming guitars. Man I sucked, lol.

[@kevinfreeman3098]

Hell Yeah... I was AirCav!! Air Assault all the way.

[@kevinfreeman3098]

I went in at 17, trained til I was 18 and the balance of my career was combat, I went in before September 11th happened, and the aftermath was my life, my war.

[@tammienichols674]

Wow Craig always can make me cry with what he said. God bless him for his service and the music that he sing and writes. 😊

[@tfred2129]

I had no idea he was ever in the army. Even more respect. Men who join the combat arms are their to go to war and experience what many would never try. Even more props for him going to RIP. 7YEARS 5 MONTHS 2/75 A CO. There's only 2 mos in the army, 11b, and everything else!

[@trekfortruth2841]

I was a Forward Observer in the 2/320 FA in the 101st Airborne in the mid 80's. Mad respect for this gentleman...Air Assault instructors were/are first class troops.

[@matthewanderson9754]

Can you please 🙏 give the these slightly more volume on youtube, it's hard to hear this unless I'm in a dead quiet house. I'd appreciate it.

[@awKtn32-_-]

Damn! I always loved Craig Morgan and his music knowing he served and is a badass makes me love him even more! Thank you for your service!

[@mitchellculberson9336]

As a fellow Vol thank you for your service to our state & our FREE AND GRATEFUL NATION!!!

[@angrytrucker420]

His music,his morals ,his priorities and his service to our country makes hi a super hero in my book. Ive been a huge fan ever since he played the Bass Master Classic in Bham Ala probably 30 yrs ago. Thanks for everything.

[@j1st633]

One of your best.

[@anlerden4851]

Thank You so much for your service Dear American Sir.🥰😍🤗❤🤍💙💪🙏👍

[@interstellarreaper8]

Dude’s so badass

[@xvsj5833]

❤️🇺🇸Thank you for sharing you’re experience and service ❤️🇺🇸✌️

[@russhoffman6301]

One of the best interviews to date. Craig Morgan has always been a favorite country act of mine. From one veteran to another, thank you Craig Morgan.

[@michaelmiddleton578]

Awesome video - great individual...

[@tommychew6544]

Thanks for showing this one, it meant a lot to me.

[@christophers5327]

The soldier show ended I think about 7 years ago. Unfortunate they stopped it, maybe someday it’ll come back.

[@ivanlowjones]

Love to see an interview with Keni Thomas who became a country singer after serving as a Ranger in Somalia (Blackhawk Down).

[@donnnamundy4325]

God Bless You Craig Morgan and Thank You For Your Service; Your Love For Your Country and Your Family is Moving and Your Ability to write songs that speak to others is Amazing…Thank you for sharing your God-given talents with the world!!!🇺🇸👍💕

[@aj_jk1337]

Waited a long time for this.

[@WillieCuz]

I liked the intro guys! Adding context before the interview is awesome!

[@1masonhenry]

Awesome guy! His songs have followed me across the world.. I used to lay down and listen to paradise when I was overseas in Iraq and home sick

[@teresamartin8344]

Deeply grateful for you and to you ❤️

[@ralphcooper6985]

Thanks for sharing

[@blacksmoke_1358]

A salute to you, sir.

[@froginthewaves8450]

Nice

[@oifiismith]

Aloha! great video! Mahalo for sharing his great story. My older brother was with 2/75th Ranger Batt, as a F.O. during Operation Just Cause, and I was 13F, with 1CD, wounded in OIF2. "BEST JOB I EVER HAD" ✊🌩FISTers wet dream is to see a field full of enemies in the open. SHOT OUT!!! 🇺🇸

[@SKaR64]

A very interesting conversation. I also went to basic at Fort Sill, served at Bragg, was deployed in the Panama Invasion and saw a Spetre Gunship cannon go off on a mountain.

[@morrisdomke8920]

Thanks To Craig.. I sure Hope The Vets Storie at the end Is Still Steppin FORWARD TO CRAIGS TUNES

[@10_a_see]

Really enjoyed this one.

[@kathycamp6090]

Enjoying the story ❤

[@timstevens5178]

Loved your book and Freedom Fest OH

[@sleepingninjaquiettime]

Idk if I would consider an FO guy strictly a artillery guy (no offense to the arty community). FO's and RO's go anywhere with everyone.

[@trekfortruth2841]

Agreed...I spent more time in the field training with my assigned infantry platoon than with my artillery battery. In training we always went to the field with both, but in combat we were 100% with the infantry.

[@strazed1]

beast

[@mr.channel6467]

Basic training was something I always thought would be awsome to get through and than be able to put that training to use not only in the army but in civilian life

[@leadxpoison9281]

11C here. Served 3 years. I'm highly trained in sweeping, mopping, polishing and capable of cleaning my weapon 3 times a day, even though it's never been fired. Carried the M1911A1 for half that time and never got to fire a single bullet. It was a joke

[@HappyHermitt]

I like this guy

[@joshmajor8662]

It’s shocking how many people didn’t know he was a vet!! Lol I’m not even a country fan these days haha 😂 Craig is interesting, indeed!! 👍

[@paulpillow7641]

Craig Morgan is the real deal. I just don't trust our gov't any more. I served 20 years in the Marines, and damn near 20 more as a civilian with DOD, but I'm disgusted with what I see now in the military. Not the people, just the policies. Still, I respect Craig for what he's done.

[@sharondull2103]

Make your dreams come true and go for the distance with your dreams.

[@emmanuelawosusi2365]

More videos 😮😮😮😮😮

[@warwarneverchanges4937]

When this guy says go you go. It was not long ago soldiers didnt wear body armour.

[@miguellucio2946]

awesome.

[@joelpierce3940]

He sounds like my son. Doesn’t want to be a Pog.

[@xavierray6914]

Thanks for your service. Alas the US backed Noriaga when they thought he was a puppet for US drug imports. Then he started taking more of the US profits. Gotta go. Hahaha

[@mchristr]

That's the reality of Geopolitics. We often have to make nice with bad actors.

[@sharondull2103]

Your dreams are very important to what you have,

[@duckwalker1]

AATW Craig.

[@80bbygrl]

I could NEVER have the mental capability to jump from a plane. Never...

[@nicblank09]

Does this guy know operation just cause was an illegal war? lol

[@Paleotech1]

You may go now little boi. You do not matter.

[@nmelkhunter1]

And don’t you know Noriega declared a state of war with the US? Noriega was invited to leave Panama and didn’t. His troops beat up a U.S. Naval officer and his wife and killed a Marine Corp officer. What in the hell did Noriega think was going to happen? Cara de Pina provoked the US and his arrogance got the better of him.

[@darkhorse6829]

The hell hole is the space above fuel tanks and into the tail. He is referring to the HURRICANE SEAT. Easy mistake for a non-crew member. I retired as a 15T.. Coolest job i ever did in the Army