Airborne Drop into Iraq!!!

[82Rigger]

WOW!!

Hey Packo, Frisco, James!!! Did ya'll see that?!

173rd drops in to secure airfield in northern Iraq.

Never expected to see it in this war except maybe small numbers of SF, etc.

A big AIRBORNE for the SKY SOLDIERS!!!

Steve / 82Rigger

[9th Inf. Doc.]

Yeah.Saw that.That one cost me bet(with a NAVY guy of all things).Thought folks had become too sain to continue jumping out of perfectly good aircraft that aren't on fire.

[SuperScout]

ATTAWAYTAGO!! Sounds like a perfectly good drop, in a perfectly good place, for a perfectly good war! Proud of all of them.

From a Dirty Ol' Leg!
Scouts Out!!

[Packo]

Been glued to the set over that one since it happened. Front page of our local paper: "AIRBORNE!" it has a picture underneith of the inside of the C-17 with all the guys in their jump seats. I am so proud I could bust! There was also one other jump to the west but do not know who did it. That was a couple days ago.

BREAK OUT THE "MUSTARD STAINS"! The Airborne is at it again.

DEATH FROM ABOVE! GO HERD!

AIRBORNE!

Packo

[catman]

Paco...from what i understand, the jump to the west was Pathfinder and SF troops going in to set the DZ and do a little sneak and peek before the main elements came in.

Trav

[MORTARDUDE]

the largest jump since WWII. Don't you get a star or something above the wings for a combat jump ?

Larry

[Packo]

I saw the film of the western jump but they were never identified, or I just didn't hear. Thanks bud.

Mortarchunker, that's what a "mustard stain" is. It is a gold star on the risers of your badge. It's given for combat jumps. The only people to get one in Vietnam was also the 173rd at Dakto, if I'm not mistaken. The star above the wings is to indicate your a masterblaster. The famous "Rakasaans" got one for their jump into Korea and, of course, the 101 and 82nd got them in WWII along with the 11th in Corrigador.....again....if I'm not mistaken. What I really like is that the "Rakasaans" are alive and well again and with the 101st. Saw their emblem on the helmets in some pictures from the war.

Airborne!

Packo

[PHO127]

Pay attention to the date, time and place of the jump, also bone up on Vicinza Italy. You guys will get your chance to weed out the "173rd and SF wannabes" from your war. Tower 5 is always a good question for Jump School. Where did you do your mountain training for Ranger school normally gets the Ranger Wannabes. Do you know where Martha Rae is buried will tag a lot of the SF wannabes ( Any VN era SF would know that one and I am sure present day will to) Smoke bomb hill at Ft Benning is a good one (smoke bomb hill is at Ft Bragg). I am not sure where pathfinder school is now. Due to prevailing winds being West to East, runways align in a general east west direction, a question about the north end of the runway will get pathfinders or whomever claim to have secured the airport. Any of you other guys have your favorite wannabe questions please add them.

[sn-e3]

Sid how about how many shots did you standard issue p38 hold? they probley don't even have them anymore with the new MRE's

[frisco-kid]

SAW IT! I always figured they were going to have a combat jump. I'm surprised it wasn't sooner. When we weren't allowed to jump off from Turkey to open up a Northern Front and divide their forces, I figured they'd drop the " 3rd Herd" and the "Eighty-Duece" in to secure airstrips and LZs to bring in the troops to the North. The place is custom made for an Airborne Assault. The whole frickin' country is one big DZ, as near as I can tell.

1000 troopers on a night jump! Would have been sooo coool to have been a part of that piece of history, even though I was never really thrilled about night jumps. I'm glad they gave the honor to the 173rd. Paco, you're right, they made the only combat jump in Nam. Late 66 or early 67. Operation Junction City. Wasn't at Dak To. I think it was down in III Corps. They were also the ones that made the jump on Corregidor. The only combat jump in the Pacific Theater. At that time they were the 503rd PIR, of the 11th Airborne.

Sid: How many PLFs did you carry in your ruck? What is the 4th point of contact? When he doesn't know, show him with your foot.