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FORT BRAGG, N.C., Oct. 28, 2008 – If there’s one thing that keeps the 82nd Airborne’s deputy commander awake at night, it’s competing requirements that could threaten the division’s ability to project no-notice combat power and conduct forced-entry missions. Army Brig. Gen. William Mayville shared his concerns as the division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team trains to re-assume its role in June as the U.S. global response force. In this capacity, the brigade will be on 24/7 standby, ready to deploy anywhere in the world within 18 hours. Its mission, if called, would be to forcibly enter and seize a defended...

A Fort Bragg soldier who crawled 200 feet while being fired upon to save a wounded colleague and then led a group of besieged soldiers to safety has received the Distinguished Service Cross. Master Sgt. Brendan O'Connor received the cross in a ceremony Wednesday at Fort Bragg for his actions in Afghanistan. The cross is the Army's second-highest award for combat valor, behind only the Medal of Honor. O'Connor was honored for his actions during a battle in 2006 in southern Afghanistan. He is assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group. The unit is based at Fort Bragg, a massive...

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, April 10, 2008 – On the 101st day of 2008, the headquarters of the 101st Airborne Division officially became Combined Joint Task Force 101 and took command of NATO’s Regional Command East sector of Afghanistan from the 82nd Airborne Division. Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Schloesser and Division Command Sgt. Maj. Vincent Camacho of 101st Airborne Division uncase the division colors during a transfer-of-authority ceremony at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, April 10, 2008. The 101st Airborne Division assumed command of Combined Joint Task Force 101 from 82nd Airborne Division in Regional Command East of NATO’s International...

Relations between Britain and Iraq suffered “catastrophic failure” after Baghdad bypassed the British military and called in the American “cavalry” to help the recent offensive against Shia militia in Basra, The Times has learnt. About 550 US troops, including some from the 82nd Airborne Division, were sent from Baghdad to Basra to join up with 150 American soldiers already serving with Iraqi forces in the southern city. The Ministry of Defence made much of the fact that British troops, based at Basra airport outside the city, were not requested in the early stages of the operation. British officials claimed that...

f there is anything such as hell on earth, it was that moment," said the grey-haired, 90-year-old man at the front of the room.The hell on earth the old man, James Megellas, was talking about is a thing of legend, something one sees in movies. It can be seen in one movie in particular, "A Bridge Too Far."

At Hannity Forums liberals, leftists and democrats are accusing Joshua Sparling of working with conservatives / FReepers to set this confrontation with war protesters up intentionally as a publicity stunt so Joshua can get more name recognition for himself. Plus other typical anti-American and anti-US military type statements. --- Why Joshua Sparling should never leave the househttp://www.hannity.com/forum/showthread.php?t=235591 (the liberal leftist democrat who started this thread could use a good slappin' around along with others who will be obvious by their hatred of our military) Liberal leftist democrats spit at Iraq War hero Joshua Sparling yesterday in DChttp://www.hannity.com/forum/showthread.php?t=235355 (I started this...

Free Republic's Kristinn Taylor had his excellent first hand report linked to by Michelle Malkin below. --- Spitting at a war hero By Michelle Malkin   ·   January 28, 2007 10:19 PM Readers of this blog will remember the name Joshua Sparling. In December 2005, the Iraq war veteran received a disgusting, anti-war death wish card while being treated at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. for injuries from a bomb explosion in Ramadi. Last month, his right leg was amputated. And this weekend, while participating in a counter-protest against the moonbat convergence, he was spit at by anti-war demonstrators....

Brig. Gen. Joseph Votel, Deputy Commanding General, 82nd Airborne Division, shakes the hands of Paratroopers who are preparing to deploy to Kuwait on stand-by status, ready to immediately deploy into Iraq to support coalition operations. The Paratroopers are from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. U.S Army photo by Spc Jaime Avila 82nd Arrives in Kuwait, Ready for Action Team arriving in Kuwait to assume the role of quick reaction force for Multi-National Force-Iraq By U.S. Army Sgt. Mike Pryor 82nd Airborne Division, 2nd Brigade Combat Team AMP BUEHRING, Kuwait, Jan. 5, 2007 -- The 82nd Airborne...

U.S. Army Capt. Tim Peterman, commander, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, (center), talks with a local farmer about security in the city of Bayji, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Amy A. Bishop 82nd Airborne Takes Over Operations in Bayji Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division officially took command and control of Forward Operating Base Summerall from the 101st Airborne Division Rakkasans. By U.S. Army Capt. Amy A. Bishop 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment BAYJI, Iraq, Sept. 18, 2006 -- The torch has been passed in the city of...

As Arlington County detectives continued to investigate the shooting death of 24-year-old Paul Zeller outside the Pentagon Row shops last week, the former soldier's father said yesterday that his son would be buried this morning in his home state of Colorado. -snip- "It's been very hard for us," said Zeller, a retired Navy chaplain who teaches at a seminary in Westcliffe. "We don't have any answers. . . . The police haven't told us anything except to avoid speculating about what happened." Police said Zeller was fatally shot at close range outside the upscale shopping center just after midnight Friday....

An Arlington man who was shot to death outside the Pentagon Row shopping center early Friday was an Army veteran who participated in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, family members said yesterday. Spec. Paul Matthew Zeller, 24, joined the Army two weeks before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. A mortarman with the 82nd Airborne Division, he was honorably discharged in September 2004. Zeller's family said he worked long hours at the College Park Honda dealership, commuting between Arlington County and Maryland on Metro. They said Zeller was walking home from the Pentagon City Station just after midnight when he was...

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (Army News Service, May 30, 2006) – Pike Field was a sea of maroon berets May 25 as more than 12,000 paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division underwent a Division Review on the fourth day of All-American Week. Maj. Gen. David M. Rodriguez hosted the ceremony, and Secretary of the Army Dr. Francis J. Harvey served as the reviewing officer. “Distinguished guests; past, present and future paratroopers; glider riders and pilots; family and friends of the All-American Division, thank you for attending today’s Division Review and helping us celebrate the division’s rich history,” Rodriguez said in opening...

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (Army News Service, Feb. 27, 2006) – Seven members of the 82nd Airborne Division have been charged with violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice for knowingly engaging in sex for money on a public Web site. The investigation into alleged improper activities has been completed and is isolated within two companies in one battalion, officials said. Courts-martial charges have been preferred against three Soldiers. They are Spc. Richard T. Ashley; Pfc. Wesley K. Mitten and Pvt. Kagen B. Mullen, all from 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment. The three were charged under UCMJ with pandering,...

ORLANDO (Army News Service, Feb. 18, 2006) – The “world’s happiest place” has been invaded by some of the Army’s best entertainers. The Soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division “All-American” Chorus entertained hundreds of Mickey Mouse fans – young and old – at an outdoor performance pavilion in Downtown Disney Feb. 18. The concert was a part of Disney’s Magic Music Days program, which brings non-professional bands, choirs and orchestras to Disney World for the chance to participate in educational workshops with Disney musicians or perform for the thousands who visit the amusement parks daily. The program brings over one...

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq, Dec. 29, 2005 – An 82nd Airborne Division unit has again proven the division's unofficial motto of "America's 911 Force" during its deployment to Iraq's Anbar province. It was a short, violent and ultimately fulfilling deployment for the paratroopers of Task Force 3-504, said its commander, Army Lt. Col. Larry Swift. The unit - built around the 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and under command of the 2nd Marine Division while in Iraq - was one of two battalions deployed in September from Fort Bragg, N.C. The unit worked with other coalition and Iraqi...

Sgt. Kornelia Rachwal, 12th Aviation Brigade, comforts a Pakistani earthquake victim being evacuated from Muzaffarabad aboard a CH-47 Chinhook. By Tech. Sgt. Mike Buytas, October 21, 2005Pakistanis watch as U.S. Soldiers unload earthquake relief supplies from their CH-47 Chinook helicopter, near Panjkot, Pakistan. By Tech. Sgt. Mike Buytas, October 31, 20051st Lt. Tory Marcon, from the 212th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan, helps Riaz Sharif drink a special food for tetanus patients with muscle spasms. The Soldiers are providing medical care for earthquake victims. By Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric S. Powell, November 9, 2005.2nd Lt. Jeanette Johnson,...

From left to right, U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Charles Folk, 1st Lt. Michael Hultquist, Chief Warrant Officer James Cornell and Chief Warrant Officer James Williamson, all aviators from 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, received the Distinguished Flying Cross during a ceremony Nov. 8, 2005, at the 82nd Aviation Brigade Headquarters. The aviators were awarded the medal for valorous actions during Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael J. Carden Paratroopers Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross Hearing a mayday call from ambushed U.S. and Iraqi troops, the four soldiers went to their aid despite being...

NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 21, 2005 – The Army's 82nd Airborne Division took to the water soon after it deployed to New Orleans to provide disaster relief assistance in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the unit's two-star general said here Sept. 20. Elements of the 82nd Airborne Division arrived in New Orleans Sept. 3. They handed off their duties in the city to National Guardsmen earlier this week and are preparing to redeploy home to Fort Bragg, N.C. About 80 percent of the Crescent City was flooded after levees broke Aug. 30. That became a challenge for the paratroopers when they...

A few months ago, these same guys were fighting in Iraq. Now they were roaring down the highway in a long green line in central South Carolina, in the lane next to me. As I mentioned, they looked tough. But most also looked as if they were barely old enough to shave. Some of them probably had tubes of Clearasil (or whatever teenagers use today to fight acne) stowed away in their field packs.

On August 23, 2005, the Secretary of Defense approved a request by the commander of Multi-National Forces-Iraq (MNF-I) to deploy two additional infantry battalions to Iraq. Two battalions from the 82nd Airborne Division will deploy to Iraq for an anticipated duration of approximately 120 days to support security efforts during the election period. Adjustments to troop levels in Iraq occurred prior to the transfer to Iraqi sovereignty in June 2004 and during the January Iraqi elections. These troops will join 180,000 Iraqi security forces and 138,000 coalition forces in helping set the security conditions for successful elections. Gen. Casey’s request...

Units assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division have provided security for elections in Afghanistan and Iraq, so this mission came as no surprise to the paratroopers. BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2005 — The first group of paratroopers from a battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division rapidly deployed to Afghanistan to bolster security in advance of the country’s upcoming provincial elections began arriving here July 16. Approximately 700 paratroopers from the 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment were scheduled to arrive in Afghanistan in mid-July to join more than 1,500 paratroopers from the 82nd’s 1st Brigade Combat Team who have...

Fort Bragg, N.C. (Army News Service July 11, 2005) - More Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division are headed to Afghanistan, the Division’s commander announced during a press conference July 8. Between 700 and 800 Paratroopers from 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment will deploy within several weeks to Afghanistan to bolster security there in advance of the upcoming provincial elections in September, said Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV. The Division already has about 1,500 Paratroopers from its 1st Brigade Combat Team deployed to the country, which has seen a spike in violence against coalition forces in recent months....

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. .................................................................. .................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should...

ST. PAUL - The son of a Minnesota state senator was killed in Iraq when his helicopter was shot down, officials said. It was the second tour in Iraq for Chief Warrant Officer Matt Lourey, 41, who flew helicopters with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division — though his mother, Sen. Becky Lourey, and other relatives opposed the war and had tried to talk him out of it. "He didn't want to die, but nonetheless he signed up for military service and he understood what that meant," said his brother, Tony Lourey.(snip) Chief Warrant Officer Matt Lourey, 41 (snip) When he...

Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division will deploy to Iraq to provide security for the January elections, a source close to the Pentagon said Tuesday. The order is expected to involve ''at least a four-battalion-size force with all its 'slice' elements," including artillery and support. The unit will deploy before the holidays, the source said. Department of Defense officials consider it risky to wait to deploy additional forces after the holidays, and waiting could jeopardize election security, the source said. No departure date was given. ''Understand, the gloves are to come off," the source said. The 82nd was still waiting...

Soldiers safeguard historic Afghan vote By Terry Boyd, Stars and Stripes Friday, October 8, 2004 European edition, Thursday, October 7, 2004 FIREBASE ASADABAD, Afghanistan — The 82nd Airborne Division has not made it into the history books by coasting through easy missions. In the new anti-insurgency age, look for its rapidly deployable, light infantry units in the worst parts of bad neighborhoods anywhere from Fallujah to Asadabad. A battalion-sized force of 1,100 paratroopers, mostly from the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment is in Afghanistan to provide security for the historic national elections Oct. 9. Between 18,000 and 20,000 U.S....

Just wondered if any other Freepers besides myself were going to France in six weeks to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Normandy invasion. This has been in the works for me for over a year, and as a general goal for the last twenty years. Ever since Ronald Reagan spoke at the American cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach in 1984, really. Part of the motivation is that this will undoubtedly be the last such gathering of American veterans who actually participated in the assault. As such, it will be the last occasion to honor this extraordinary group of Americans and...

82nd Airborne soldiers re-enlisting in high numbers Division has already met goals for retention for fiscal year '04 Monday, April 12, 2004 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FORT BRAGG Though thousands of 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in the past two years, some of them taking hostile fire, the storied unit is exceeding its retention goals and re-enlisting soldiers in droves. Despite reports that the Army's increased operations in the war on terrorism is hurting retention, deployments have helped the division retain experienced soldiers, a spokesman said. "They came in to do something and they are actually doing...

<p>RAMADI, Iraq - A tip led the U.S. Army to capture the flinty guerrilla leader directing attacks in one of Iraq's most dangerous regions, a U.S. military commander told The Associated Press in an interview Thursday.</p> <p>Now, the tipster who turned in Khamis Sirhan al-Muhammad stands to reap a reward of up to $1 million.</p>

NEWS RELEASEHEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894 December 22, 2003Release Number: 03-12-55 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TASK FORCE “ALL AMERICAN” CONDUCTS OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS AR RAMADI, Iraq – Soldiers from Task Force “All American” continue missions aimed at assisting local Iraqis in the reconstruction effort and stopping violence in the Al Anbar province. During the last 24 hours, we conducted 204 patrols, including 25 joint patrols with the Iraqi Border Guard and Iraqi police. Soldiers also carried out 16 offensive operations. During these operations, there were...

NEWS RELEASEHEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894 December 19, 2003Release Number: 03-12-49 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TASK FORCE “ALL AMERICAN” GRADUATES ICDC CLASS, HELPS SCHOOLS AR RAMADI, Iraq – Soldiers from Task Force “All American” continued missions to increase stability and security for the people of Al Anbar yesterday. During the last 24 hours, the 82nd Airborne Division and subordinate units conducted 170 patrols, including four joint patrols with Iraqi national elements, and three offensive operations, which resulted in the capture of 12 enemy personnel....

Absentee voting stirs debate Some blame politics for a change that makes getting a ballot harder By JOHN ZEBROWSKI, Staff Writer Rep. Martin Nesbitt, a Buncombe Democrat, said he didn't know who did it. Across the political aisle, Rep. Paul Stam, a Wake Republican, said he had no idea how the change made it into an unrelated bill on the last day of the 2002 General Assembly. Same for the State Board of Elections, the Republican Party and local elections officials. The quasi-mystery was: Who inserted language into the Technical Corrections Bill -- a thick slab of legislation used to...

FALLUJAH, Iraq — Ghosts haunt Fallujah’s nights. Enemies come close, but their faces are never seen. Danger lurks everywhere. It is, in short, a horrible place to learn to fight this war. Yet that is the daily task of soldiers in the 82nd Airborne Division. Friday night, in an open stretch of sand between a giant brickyard complex and a residential area, about 35 soldiers from the 82nd sat invisible in the dark. The soldiers searched the rooftops of two houses for snipers. Only a football field away, people talked and children played, utterly unaware. At 6:51 p.m., the soldiers...

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. God Bless America...................................................................................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members...

Well, I just got my packet of info concerning the 60th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France by Stephen Ambrose Tours, Inc. I was suprised that the tour is a CRUISE! Not only that, I think that the $8,000+ is pretty steep, even for such noble guests and luxuries that you will be treated to no doubt. However, I was wondering if it were possible to get together a FreeRepublic.com group of history buffs/patriots/veterans and maybe go over and make things more fun and less expensive for us. I have never been to Normandy, but I heard it was alot...

TOMBSTONE -- Longtime friends, military personnel and members of the Cochise County Sheriff's Department gathered at Tombstone City Park Saturday to pay tribute to Aaron Light, Arizona's first wounded soldier to return home from Operation Iraqi Freedom. Light, who graduated from Tombstone High School in 2001, was greeted with hugs and well wishes from the string of people who were there to honor him. About 60 people attended the event. Wearing his dress greens, Light spoke briefly to the crowd, thanking them for attending the welcome home tribute "I was just doing my job. I pray and hope for the...

Sorry about this ridiculous vanity. Last week there was a pic in the NY Times of two 82nd soldiers with a POW in Afghanistan. I haven't seen the pic, but a co-worker mentioned it and asked me about it. Evidently these two soldiers were wearing what the the co-worker described as knee & elbow pads. I was stationed at Ft. Bragg for 8 years and never saw anything like it. Do any of you have a link to the picture? Do any of you know what these pads are and why they are worn?

On 20 July the US 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division, which had been operating the brigade-sized Task Force Rakkasan out of Bagram and Kandahar in Afghanistan under the aegis of Operation ‘Enduring Freedom’, handed over command to the 82nd Airborne Division’s Task Force Panther, which will take over security and combat operations in the region. US and coalition forces continue to operate throughout Afghanistan to ensure Al-Qaeda and Taliban forces do not present a danger to US, coalition and friendly Afghan troops. The 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division arrived in Afghanistan in January 2002 and worked alongside units such as...