Photo By Staff Sgt. Michael Pryor | San Antonio, Texas native Staff Sgt. Clayton Gouard of B Company, 1st Battalion, 325th...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Mike Pryor
2nd BCT, 82nd Airborne Public Affairs
FORT BRAGG, N.C. – During their recent deployment to Iraq, Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team conducted almost every type of mission imaginable, from CSI-style police work to handing out school backpacks. Practically the one mission they didn't do was the one the 82nd is famous for – strapping on a parachute and jumping into battle. But that doesn't mean they forgot how.
Paratroopers from the 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment "Red Falcons" proved 15 months in Iraq hadn't put any rust on their airborne skills during a readiness exercise on Fort Bragg's Sicily Drop Zone, Aug. 8, 2008, that saw them parachute into action and mount a synchronized assault on an enemy objective.
"This is our bread and butter mission," said Summit, N.J. native Lt. Col. Michael Hynes, the Red Falcons' commander.
Hynes said no other Army in the world can execute airborne operations on the same scale or with the same degree of precision as the 82nd Airborne.
"That makes us unique and that's the capability we want to show to people," Hynes said.
The exercise began with a mass-exit of parachutists from a streaking C-130. Minutes after the chutes fluttered silently to the ground, the drop zone erupted with gunfire as Paratroopers from the support-by-fire element began pinning down the objective. Next the assault team bounded into action, concealed by billowing green smoke as they sprinted forward. With a deafening explosion of grenades, the perimeter of the enemy compound was breached and the paratroopers burst inside.
Twenty minutes after it started, it was all over. The Paratroopers marched off the DZ with their mock "prisoners" in tow.
"Today went really well. We've been rehearsing all week and we came out and executed just like we planned to," said Capt. Christopher Michael Defiori of Company B as he stood drenched in sweat at the conclusion of the exercise. Defiori's company had been the main effort on the jump and the follow-on assault.
"It's just like riding a bicycle," said Defiori's First Sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class Kody Kelly, who was standing next to him.
The exercise was witnessed by a small audience of distinguished visitors, including senior defense officials and celebrities from the sports and entertainment worlds.
Prior to the operation, the visitors watched the Paratroopers getting into their parachutes and preparing for the mission. Some were even allowed inside the aircraft to see first-hand the actions that occur during a combat jump.
"It was awesome!" said one of the special guests, retired professional wrestler Bill Goldberg. "I mean, anytime you can get close up and really experience what [Soldiers] are going through, it's awe inspiring."
Goldberg said he enjoyed the opportunity to meet so many real-life heroes.
"It's an honor to personally shake the hands of the people who ensure our freedom every single day," he said. "It's been eye-opening"
Eyes may have been on Goldberg's mind after his long conversation with 1st Sgt. Santos Cavazos. Cavazos proudly told Goldberg and the other awe-struck celebrities about getting his eye shot out in Iraq, and how he had to learn to shoot again with his other eye.
Cavazos said he enjoyed getting to meet celebrities like Goldberg, but he said there was no question in his mind who the real stars of the day were.
"My men are all celebrities," he said.
| Date Taken: | 08.12.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 08.12.2008 16:58 |
| Story ID: | 22411 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 563 |
| Downloads: | 128 |
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