Crack US airborne troops pour into Kuwait

Middle East Online ^ | 3/3/03

[areafiftyone]

CAMP UDAIRI, NORTHERN KUWAITI DESERT - Crack US airborne units are pouring into Kuwait, boosting American military might in preparation for a potential war against Iraq, military officials said Monday.

Major Michael Miller, an executive officer of the 101st Airborne Aviation Brigade, said the majority of troops from its parent Air Assault Division had now been deployed to Kuwait.

The remainder would arrive shortly, he said.

They have travelled largely by commercial airliner over the past week from their base at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to five camps in Kuwait, including Camp Udairi in the north of the country, the division's public affairs officer Major Hugh Cate said.

Miller, speaking at the desert camp, said his troops would boost their training with the imminent arrival of major equipment by sea, but he stressed the division was ready to go to war.

"We are prepared for further combat operations," Miller said.

The 101st Airborne has about 20,000 troops and more than 270 helicopters.

The division's Apache helicopters launched the air assault on Iraq in the 1991 Gulf War over Kuwait and its troops penetrated closer to Baghdad than any other US military unit.

The division also played a major role in Afghanistan, with its 3rd Brigade deployed from November 2001 against al-Qaeda and the Taliban regime.

Miller would not outline any upcoming battle plans for the 101st Airborne but said the division's normal role was to attack armour from the air.

"Generally the role of this brigade is to destroy enemy armour," he said.

The 101st Airborne has three air attack battalions, all of which use the AH-64 Apache helicopters.

Its 17th Cavalry regiment provides rescue and security reinforcements, and uses Kiowa OH-58 Warrior helicopters as well as the Apaches.

[1Old Pro]

We will liberate the Iraqi people before March 28th. Possibly by the 21st.

[colorado tanker]

Almost ready in the south and all screwed up in the north.

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

What was it that Kurt Russel said in the movie Wyatt Erp?

"You tell'em I'm coming and Hell's coming with me"!!!

[BlackbirdSST]

Air Mobile! Blackbird.

[smith288]

Dont think it matters... Saddam, in his expert military skills, is moving his troops south according to reports...

[msru]

wasn't it the movie "Tombstone"?

[VRWC_minion]

From the Times of India dated 2/21/03

The paper said the two men( Bush and Blair) , who had a 30-minute telephone conversation on Thursday, had agreed to give Saddam Hussein until March 14 to disarm or face war.

[colorado tanker]

Saddam, in his expert military skills, is moving his troops south according to reports...

That Saddam is almost as good a general as Hitler was. Quite an asset - for us.

[Future Snake Eater]

Yes, it was. Best western film ever made.

[AMDG]

Go Screaming Eagles, Go!!

http://www.grunts.net/army/101abn.html

[Procyon]

Just because the Airborne is in the south doesn't mean they'll attack from the south. At this point Saddam's forces have to look 360 degrees around, 90 degrees up and 24/7 because in 90 seconds a parachute brigade can come down anywhere.

[GalaxieFiveHundred]

[airborne]

AIR ASSAULT!

[George W. Bush]

Hey, Saddam: "They're heeee-eeere!"

Bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha...

[buffyt]

Tombstone, yes, you are right. GREAT movie!

[mitchbert]

Almost ready in the south and all screwed up in the north.

Yup. See this Saddam? You don't have to worry about the Northern areas at all. Just move everything south. Hurry now!

In all honesty, I don't think we really know 25% of what's going on there. Methinks we'll all be in for a very pleasant surprise.

[Cicero]

"Best western film ever made."

Nah, Red River.

I must say I get a kick out of the idea that the Rangers are arriving at the front via commercial airlines.

[airborne]

The 101st doesn't usually parachute. Typical MO is Blackhawk insertion.

[colorado tanker]

Just because the Airborne is in the south doesn't mean they'll attack from the south

Agreed. I've been thinking that as part of this "shock" strategy quickly establishing an airhead at an airport or airbase near Baghdad would be a nifty move.