U.S. troops parachute into northern Iraq - CNN

Reuters | 3/26/03

[kattracks]

U.S. troops parachute into northern Iraq - CNN

WASHINGTON, March 26 (Reuters) - About 1,000 U.S. troops have parachuted into northern Iraq and seized an airfield in Kurdish-controlled territory, CNN reported on Wednesday.

The network said the troops were from the 173rd airborne brigade and seized the airfield to clear the way for armored tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles.

03/26/03 17:23 ET

[MEG33]

All are safe.

[strela]

Was that one where the F-14s had "THE NAVY" decals?

[The Vast Right Wing]

Answered my question.

[CholeraJoe]

The last of 120 C-17s is scheduled for delivery in November of 2004. Boeing produces 15 per year so they should be pushing the hundred bird mark by now.

[demlosers]

C17 Globemaster III about to load an Abrams:

[CholeraJoe]

Thanks for the insight. Obviously your account is more accurate.

[freepersup]

Ladies and gentlemen- Is this not the heart of a lion speaking ? "But this is a paratrooper's dream."

"Nobody wants war," said Lt. Col. Dominic Caraccilo, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry, one of the brigade's two infantry battalions. "But this is a paratrooper's dream."

[TheLion]

Here is another little clip: Note they also mention the 82nd Airborne.

The 173rd Airborne Brigade deployed to Northern Iraq and is reported to be in position to block any possible invasion by Turkey. The U.S. military has abandoned plans to fly troops into northern Iraq over Turkey and is beginning to ferry them there through Egyptian and Saudi Arabian airspace. Turkey demanded access to northern Iraq for more Turkish troops than the United States would agree to. There are a few thousand troops inside northern Iraq, lightly armed and are stationed near the border.

The 173rd, based in Italy. first deployed to Egypt and then were flown into US airbases in northern Iraq developed by the Kurds and Special Forces prior to the opening of hostilities. Elements of the 82nd airborne and Special Forces are also in northern Iraq working with the Kurds in an operation reminiscent of the Afghanistan War. With increased firepower in the region, air operations escalated in Kirkuk. Elements of the 82nd Airborne are also deploying in the north.

http://efreedomnews.com/News%20Archive/Iraq/Iraq%20War%20Report/WarReport24March2003.htm

[Ditto]

Armored tanks? I didn't know there was any other kind.

Sure there are -- I used to drive one. Heavy as an Abrams, about the same gas milage, but the armor wasn't much to speak of. :~))

Go Airborn!

[capitan_refugio]

From Bashur, the 173rd could drive west to Mosul or south to Kirkuk. With a few battle tanks and many Bradleys and Hum-Vs, they could help control the supergiant Kirkuk oil field. We could also quickly supply the Kurds from this forward airbase. Remember, they have several thousand Kurdish militia with an axe to grind. Give 'em some ordnance and cut them loose!

[CholeraJoe]

Probably closer to 400 sorties for all that. When I was AD USAF, we planned such a contingency and it called for about a week to get the division active.

[buwaya]

Not that simple - there are a lot more vehicles and equipment involved. Add the need for a supply of fuel in the quantities required. This cannot be flown in for a large force.

And also consider turnaround time.

If it were that easy the forces in Kuwait would be much larger.

[TheLion]

They don't often get the chance to do something of this magnitude!

[leadpenny]

That is the news we needed to hear. I assume you mean all the jumpers are safely on the ground?

[Oldeconomybuyer]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Army troops parachuted into and took control of a key airfield in northern Iraq on Wednesday, becoming the first sizable American military presence in that part of the country, defense officials said.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said elements of the Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Italy, parachuted into the airfield. The officials would not state the precise location of the airfield nor give the number of troops involved.

A defense official said that before this operation, several hundred special forces troops had been operating on the ground in northern Iraq.

[capitan_refugio]

Thanks! As I said in my #150, this operation gives the Alliance a lot of flexibility. And it just adds to Saddam's worries!

Clearly, one important goal of the liberation is to preserve the oil fields. The Kirkuk field is one of the largest in the world, although it has been in production since the 1920's.

[PhilDragoo]

"I think CENTCOM [U.S. Central Command] really wanted to twist a grapefruit in the Turks' face,"

[MEG33]

That was the report I heard No report on usual broken ankles or such.

[mrsmith]

I think they are known as the "Herd", or "Third Herd."

I was stationed near the third mechanized infantry in Germany and they were called "The Third Herd".

Of course, maybe these guys are too.

[craig_eddy]

I thought it a bit too obvious that to state that the tanks & fighting vehicles would not sprout wings and fly themselves in.