82nd Troops to Deploy to Middle East
Two companies from the 82nd Airborne Division will deploy to the Middle East soon.
The two units will be sent to locations in either Iraq or Syria. The decision on their exact locations while deployed has not yet been made. However, at least some of the 82nd’s troops apparently will deploy to Qayyarah Airfield West, AKA “Q-West”.
I hope I’m wrong. But I can’t help but reflect on events of 55 years or so ago – and feel that maybe I’ve “seen this movie before”.
Hopefully we’ve learned a bit since then.
Category: Syria, Terror War
Its time for that “combat Jump”!
Yeah, I’ve seen this movie, too. It didn’t end well. I’d like to think I’m wrong, too.
Hondo, I take it your indirect reference is to Viet Nam but two companies seems more like Korea and Task Force Smith. Anyway, for your musical oddity collection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75Z6LIy9WM
“Hopefully we’ve learned a bit since then.”
If we (by which I mean our “leaders”) had we wouldn’t be doing this.
“Two companies from the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division are being deployed to the Mosul to bolster security in Iraq at the request of the top American commander in Baghdad fighting ISIS”
Deja vu. A half century ago it was something like—
Two companies of Marines are being deployed to DaNang to bolster security at the airfield at the request of the top American commander in Saigon fighting the VC.
Next they (NOT we) will send a few more companies for further security. They will conduct patrols to prevent rockets and mortars getting within range, something that could not be done with the limited forces available.
This Mosul thing reminds me of Ted Koppel on “Night Line” when it first started—-“Day 192 of Mosul held hostage!”.
YOu just get that sinking feeling in your stomach, don’t you?
How big is an Airborne rifle company these days? I thought around 200 but I could be way off. Press says 2 company’s or 200 Troopers. Rifle company only 100? Wiki says 80-250!
Oh, and how armed are they besides personal weapons. I.e., mortars, etc?