101st Airborne views the World Trade Center site

Army News Service ^ | 23 Jan 02 | unknown

[Arkie2]

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Army News Service, Jan. 23, 2002) -- An aircraft filled with 101st Airborne Division soldiers en route to Afghanistan circled the World Trade Center disaster site in lower Manhattan last week to remind the troops of why they were deploying. It was the first time since Sept. 11 that the Federal Aviation Administration allowed a commercial plane to fly over the site. Capt. Richard Osborne, pilot of MD-11 World Airways, radioed 20 minutes ahead to coordinate the maneuver and the air traffic controllers were notably moved by the request. "They were happy to do it when we told them the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) was on board," said Osborne. "These people are going over there and are literally risking their lives in response to the terror that occurred at that place; it was very significant that they get an opportunity to see it." For the soldiers of Task Force 187 making the trip, it was a reminder of what the mission is all about. "It was definitely a sobering moment, (a reminder) of what we're doing here," said Spc. Raymond Ballance, Company D, 311th Military Intelligence, ground surveillance. "It brought it back to the front of my mind, of why we're doing this, by seeing those two barren sites." Ballance is also prepared to make the sacrifice to help eliminate terrorism. "Hopefully I'll find some bad guys and detain them so we can bring them to justice," said Ballance. Osborne, who was an Army aviator during Vietnam, said he was proud to have the job of flying the "Screaming Eagles" to their destination. "I'm glad we're able to bring them on this leg and what we're really looking forward to is bringing each and every one of them back home," said Osborne. "I was proud when I served in the military and I'm proud of the quality of people who are on board today."

[Arkie2]

This article was passed along to me by a friend who works at the airline mentioned in the article and I thought Freepers might appreciate the gesture made by the crew and the response of the soldiers on their way to Afghanistan

[SBeck]

Godspeed, Screaming Eagles, Godspeed.

[Chad Fairbanks]

I appreciate the article, and the actions of the pilot etc... I AM moved a bit by this, and am proud of our troops, and all they do - I only have one problem with it:

..."Hopefully I'll find some bad guys and detain them so we can bring them to justice," said Ballance...

That sounds more like policework than the job of a soldier, imho, and I worry about that type of attitude causing losses on our side that could have otherwise been prevented...

[habs4ever]

I sure appreciate it.Thanks so much, and I'm glad the bureaucrats didn't get in the way and prevent those men from viewing the sight.It brings me goosebumps to read this.

[habs4ever]

I thought you'd like to see this...

[JD86]

Godspeed, Screaming Eagles, Godspeed.

[Ben Hecks]

Thanks for the post. I thought World Airways was out of business; I remember when the owner, Ed Daly, went back to Vietnam and brought back a load of orphans as the North Vietnamese were taking control - shortly after that, World Airways lost most or all of their government contracts. Daly was controversial but definitely a "Let's Roll" kind of guy.

[pad 34]

Somber way to start a deployment.

[MozartLover]

*ping* for the good guys.

[Euro-American Scum]

An Airborne bump for the Screaming Eagles.

[Utah Girl]

Thanks for the ping. I think we all as Americans need to be reminded occasionally what happened on 9/11.

[Arkie2]

They're still around and apparently still flying for the military. I've heard about Daly and he seems to be an original

[Snow Bunny]

Thank you Arkie2 for the thread and thank you Habs for pinging me!!!!!!!

[dighton]

Bump for the 101st Airborne Division and World Airways Capt. Richard Osborne.

[sneakypete]

That sounds more like policework than the job of a soldier, imho, and I worry about that type of attitude causing losses on our side that could have otherwise been prevented...

The reason for that is the guys going over there ARE cops. They are military cops,psyops specialists,civil affairs specailists,engineers,water purification teams,medical teams,etc,etc,etc. They ain't sending grunts.

[sneakypete]

, Ed Daly, went back to Vietnam and brought back a load of orphans as the North Vietnamese were taking control

Yep,there is even film footage of him using a snub-nose 38 to "repel boarders" as adult Vietnamese tried to get on and take up space the children needed.

[illstillbe]

Thank you, Mozie ...

redrock ... I've been after missin' you, I have ... I owe you more than you can ever know ...

mercy ... where've you gotten yourself off to?

I miss you p*** and vinegar ....

[aculeus]

Bump for the 101st.

[illstillbe]

An ~~~ I really can not understand why this thread has not been *bumped* more ... ping to y'alls ....

[kayak]

What a great story!

Thanks for the ping, ML!