Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Hewitt | A Paratrooper assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. - The sun has set over Fort Bragg. Thick clouds blanket the sky, concealing any possible moonlight illumination.
The only sound that can be heard on Sicily drop zone is the gust of wind grazing the tall grass and the hum of multiple inbound aircraft.
More than 500 Paratroopers assigned to 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division are strapped with loads of combat equipment, and all are on a one-way trip.
On Feb. 6, 1st. Bn., 508th PIR and other supporting troops assigned to 3rd BCT participated in multi-dimensional night training. The event included airborne operations, enemy contact on a DZ, airfield seizure, movement to contact, and a night raid against opposing forces at a 33-building mock village; to include a single high-value target.
Charlie Company spearheaded the operation- the primary company to move forward with offensive operations.
Every company has junior and senior leaders, but on this night, every leader`s position and responsibility was increased in an instance.
“Shortly after landing I put my weapon and radio into operation,” said Staff Sgt. William Teal, a Paratrooper assigned to C co., 1st Bn., 508th PIR, as a weapons squad leader. “I call up Charlie-six [company commander] and inform him that our first sergeant is not here because he had a medical emergency. He then said ‘ alright, you are now Charlie-nine and will assume all responsibilities as the company first sergeant.”
Teal`s position change then caused a seismic shift in everybody`s duty position in the company. Word traveled fast within the company`s 101 Paratroopers, however, they seemed to remained focus and continued their mission.
The sound of machine gun fire thunders in the distance, as more Paratrooper silhouettes can be seen descending upon the DZ.
Capt. Andrew Wong, Charlie Company`s commanding officer, is now aware of the change in leadership.
Delta Company- another unit assigned to 1st Bn., 508th PIR- moves forward to secure and clear the airfield.
Wong moves to the gunfire.
“As we take enemy fire I assemble enough men to equal three rifle squads and three heavy machine gun teams,” said Wong. “We move to objective ‘Eagles West’ and assault the enemy.”
The DZ is secured and the immediate threat is neutralized.
Charlie Company and the rest of the battalion move under the cover of darkness to and into the foliage toward objective ‘Broncos’, a 33 building mock village filled with opposing forces 7.75 kilometers away.
The Paratroopers display stealth and speed, breaching the compound and take part in simulated urban terrain warfare.
Wong says It was special to see these young guys step up in a big way as we breached. Guys that are used to only managing a squad or team are now leading a platoon, a whole floor, or structure. Going from building to building. If somebody went down, the next man stepped up. I saw a lot of ‘light bulbs’ turn on for these guys.
The raid goes into the early hours of the morning for the battalion and comes to an end securing the objective.
“Our jobs as infantry Paratroopers are to jump into anywhere in the world within 96 hours and secure a foothold,” said Teal. “We did just that. Our young leadership proved that they can do their job and positions above them.”
The 508th PIR is scheduled to continue training and develop mission readiness.
We are going to continue refining our military operation in urban terrain. Said Wong. We are scheduled to train at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and conduct live fire exercises.
The battalion will conduct air assault training and company live fires at the national training center at Fort Irwin, California.
Later on, this year pending our certification we should assume the responsibility of the 82nd Abn. Div. global response force.
“I'm really excited about these guys and can't wait to see what they can do in the upcoming months,” said Wong.
| Date Taken: | 02.06.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 02.27.2016 00:12 |
| Story ID: | 190318 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 132 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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