Posted on 11/23/2004 9:18:45 PM PST by writer33
Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division will deploy to Iraq to provide security for the January elections, a source close to the Pentagon said Tuesday. The order is expected to involve ''at least a four-battalion-size force with all its 'slice' elements," including artillery and support. The unit will deploy before the holidays, the source said.
Department of Defense officials consider it risky to wait to deploy additional forces after the holidays, and waiting could jeopardize election security, the source said. No departure date was given. ''Understand, the gloves are to come off," the source said.
The 82nd was still waiting for the call Tuesday.
''We have not received a deployment order," said Maj. Amy Hannah, a spokeswoman for the 82nd.
Lt. Gen. Lance L. Smith, deputy commanding general of U.S. Central Command, hinted in a briefing Friday that the 82nd may be asked to deploy to Iraq.
''We have not ruled out using our strategic-reserve forces, nor have we ruled out calling in for our Division Ready Brigade or a force within that. But again, I think it's too early to try and decide that until we really see what's happening in the aftermath of Fallujah," Smith said.
Central Command would not confirm any request for additional forces. A spokeswoman said the command does not identify mobilization orders or destinations for individual units.
When the call comes, 2nd Brigade, which is first in line to deploy as the Division Ready Brigade, will deploy. The 82nd always has one brigade on standby, ready to deploy anywhere in the world.
The 2nd Brigade, made up of the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment and its support units, spent a year in Iraq. The unit has been at Fort Bragg since February.
Last week, The Washington Post reported that if the 82nd were called, it probably would not take part in offensive operations against the insurgency. Rather, it would take up policing duties in Baghdad.
It is unclear where the soldiers would be based. But the 325th is uniquely suited for that mission; the unit spent eight months in the Al-Rashid district of Baghdad, a 60-square-mile area in the southern part of the city.
The paratroopers were instrumental in rebuilding the area and helped form 14 neighborhood councils and a district council. The troops also completed $4.1 million in infrastructure improvement projects, including building schools and improving sewage systems and roads.
The brigade also saw its share of combat. The soldiers took part in more than 100 firefights and conducted more than 500 raids, during which they captured more than 2,000 suspected insurgents, unit officials said earlier this year.
''They are prepared and standing by," Hannah said.
News of a possible deployment to Iraq was greeted with excitement and enthusiasm by the paratroopers. Many said they are tired of being at Fort Bragg and are looking forward to getting back into the fight.
When the unit left Baghdad, the Al-Rashid district was relatively safe, and the soldiers believed they were making progress. Some of the soldiers said it appears as though things have been getting worse, and they look forward to cleaning up their old area.
This would not be the first time the 82nd has been called to provide security around election time. About a 1,000 paratroopers from the 1st Battalion of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment were deployed to Afghanistan in September to help provide security during the country's first presidential election in October.
My husband's in the 2/325.
/john (A Zoomie)
Thank him for me for his service to his country, AQ.
Excuse me if I cry a little tonight.....
I agree. God bless the Airborne.
Chris
Thank you, I will. I just talked to him and he says nothing has been said officially, but he knows that there's a very strong possibility.
And I've known it and I've been preparing myself for another deployment. But the first one was bad enough, and seeing the word of an upcoming deployment in print just made me feel like I got hit in the gut. The first time, he was almost killed more than once. I'm very proud of my husband, but I'm also terrified of being a young widow. And now I'm in medical school so life is high-stress even without him being deployed. Keeping my mind on my studies would be near impossible.
Sorry, I'm freaking out. I was already freaking out about an upcoming exam for which I am completely unprepared, and this was a bad time to see this article.
Sometimes, as a wife, you have the most difficult job on Earth. You must do so many things, it is impossible for me to list them all.
Just remember, you always have friends around you. All you ever need to do, is simply ask.
Asking, is the most difficult thing that you can do....
/john
"Sorry, I'm freaking out. I was already freaking out about an upcoming exam for which I am completely unprepared, and this was a bad time to see this article."
Sorry about that. I do know how trying these deployments can be. It's tough on the wives. And this is why I don't like these darn newspapers printing these articles so far in advance. I think the husband should be able to tell the spouse first.
Chris
Oh Hell, the husband is often the last to know....
"Oh Hell, the husband is often the last to know...."
Been there and that's so true.
If you wife tells you that you are about to deploy, start packing your bags!
That's so true.
Funniest thing. My friend just got back from Afghanistan, 1/505. He called me 9/16 (5:30 in the morning, forgets the time difference): I am going overseas, can't say where, when, or when back.
Few hours later, son saw that 700 paratroopers from the 82nd were deploying to Afghanistan in support of the elections. I told my friend, his reply: I can neither confirm nor deny that.
Anyway, my heartfelt prayers and well wishes are with you all. Friend and comrades got back from Afghanistan incredibly intact; I will be praying for the same results for the 325.
Freepers have been outstanding about keeping the details of a deployment, within it's proper classification.
If any Freeper crossed the line of classified information, many of us would demand that a thread be deleted.
?
In a twenty year career, thrre tours with The Division, 74-77 B 1/508th (now 3/505); 77-80 & 87-89 HHC Div. Airborne leades the way in all its many fashions, whether Airborne is a pathfinder in the 101st, a Ranger, SF or other special ops.... From my armchair quarterback position, I'd have to say my heart goes with them, always. Any my beret is off to all our fine DoD forces, military, government and civilian alike.
I agree. My heart goes out as well to those soldiers.
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