What was essential for the success of Operation Just Cause?

The success of Operation Just Cause, which addressed the need to depose Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega in 1989, was heavily reliant on Rapid Global Mobility. This concept refers to the ability of military forces to move quickly and efficiently to engage in operations anywhere in the world. During the operation, swift deployment allowed U.S. forces to initiate and sustain combat operations effectively against a dispersed enemy.

This rapid mobilization facilitated the strategic surprise necessary to achieve operational objectives, as U.S. troops could quickly enter Panama and establish control. It ensured that the forces arrived at the correct locations in a timely manner, enabling coordinated actions that were critical for mission success. The ability to project power instantaneously also played a significant role in minimizing casualties and achieving the goals of the operation with remarkable speed.

The other options, while important aspects of military operations, did not singularly define the success of Operation Just Cause in the same way that Rapid Global Mobility did.