[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Paratroopers (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 1/1/2009 1:17:00 PM EDT
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I just downloaded a TV programme called 'Pathfinders' which was shown on UK TV which is a documentary about the deployment of the Pathfinder platoon of either 1,2 or 3 Para in Afganistan. I'm not sure which of the Battalions they are from as I've not watched it yet.
But it made me think about the need for Paratroopers in the overall role of modern warfair, as I can't think of the last time they were ever used in the role that they were intended for.. ie.. jumping into shit. Surely it must have been back in WW2 that they actually did this? Which then leads me to think of all the extra costs involved to train Para's if they are never actually going to do what they have been trained to do in an actual combat role. Surely it would be money better spent on upgrading the standards and equipment required for regular Infantry units. Just a thought. |
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Quoted: I can't think of the last time they were ever used in the role that they were intended for.. ie.. jumping into shit. Surely it must have been back in WW2 that they actually did this? Which then leads me to think of all the extra costs involved to train Para's if they are never actually going to do what they have been trained to do in an actual combat role. Surely it would be money better spent on upgrading the standards and equipment required for regular Infantry units. Just a thought. Korea Vietnam Afghanistan Iraq |
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Were they used in Panama? Does it really cost that much more to train them as opposed to regular infantry? I know a fellow that jumped into Panama, shot right after it too. Training for becoming a paratrooper doesn't take that much more time and energy, you could train a motivated person to do it in a day. Non-motivated people/dumbasses take a while longer... I'd say about 3 weeks. The hardest part is finding willing instructors and the assets with which to train them. |
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Yep, thanks. I should remember it because a friend's son made the jump, and he (pop) was a nervous wreck for weeks after, until he heard from him.
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IIRC, the 173rd Bde out of (forget their nearest city) Italy jumped into A-stan. Vicenza, Italy They jumped into Iraq, not Afghanistan. They used a secure DZ set up at Bashur, already held by an SF detachment. ETA: You're probably thinking of the 3rd Rangers doing their thing at Kandahar. |
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I believe the Army jumped into Grenada to secure the airfield during the op there. The drop was at 500', IIRC. They left their reserve chutes on board the aircraft.
Were they Rangers? I can't remember. I recall seeing film footage of airborne ops in Afghanistan during a night op, so yes, airborne ops are still used and still relevant. BTW, there were a couple of airborne ops during the Korean War, but I can't remember the size of the unit that did the jumping. Back then, the Army was big on RCT-sized ops, but I don't know if you can do that with Airborne units or not. Vietnam also saw limited Airborne employment. |
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I just downloaded a TV programme called 'Pathfinders' which was shown on UK TV which is a documentary about the deployment of the Pathfinder platoon of either 1,2 or 3 Para in Afganistan. I'm not sure which of the Battalions they are from as I've not watched it yet. But it made me think about the need for Paratroopers in the overall role of modern warfair, as I can't think of the last time they were ever used in the role that they were intended for.. ie.. jumping into shit. Surely it must have been back in WW2 that they actually did this? Which then leads me to think of all the extra costs involved to train Para's if they are never actually going to do what they have been trained to do in an actual combat role. Surely it would be money better spent on upgrading the standards and equipment required for regular Infantry units. Just a thought. IIRC a battalion or brigade of the 82nd Airborne jumped into Afghanistan. The 173rd Airborne brigade jumped into Iraq. Then you have Grenada and Panama in the 80s. I'm sure the Rangers have jumped more recently. |
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Ranger batts make a lot of jump that are not on CNNs radar.
173rd jumped in Iraq, a small group of 82nd jumped into a-stan. The 82nd remains a force capable of deploying anywhere in the world with 18 hours notice, jumping in and securing a strategic objective while paving the way for follow on forces. They have more of a viable mission today then they did in the cold war, as Airborne infantry would not last long against the reds pouring through the Fulda gap. Today's threat is more likely a regional hot spot that requires quick, strategic response. Think the 82nd capturing a major airport and repairing it to allow big, heavy guns to land. You can't just tell the 3rd ID to go somewhere and expect them to do it in a timely manner, someone has to get there fast. |
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I just downloaded a TV programme called 'Pathfinders' which was shown on UK TV which is a documentary about the deployment of the Pathfinder platoon of either 1,2 or 3 Para in Afganistan. I'm not sure which of the Battalions they are from as I've not watched it yet. But it made me think about the need for Paratroopers in the overall role of modern warfair, as I can't think of the last time they were ever used in the role that they were intended for.. ie.. jumping into shit. Surely it must have been back in WW2 that they actually did this? Which then leads me to think of all the extra costs involved to train Para's if they are never actually going to do what they have been trained to do in an actual combat role. Surely it would be money better spent on upgrading the standards and equipment required for regular Infantry units. Just a thought. IIRC a battalion or brigade of the 82nd Airborne jumped into Afghanistan. The 173rd Airborne brigade jumped into Iraq. Then you have Grenada and Panama in the 80s. I'm sure the Rangers have jumped more recently. No. No 82nd Airborne Division elements jumped into Afghanistan, 75th Ranger Regiment elements conducted a parachute raid into Afghanistan during the initial invasion. |
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I just downloaded a TV programme called 'Pathfinders' which was shown on UK TV which is a documentary about the deployment of the Pathfinder platoon of either 1,2 or 3 Para in Afganistan. I'm not sure which of the Battalions they are from as I've not watched it yet. But it made me think about the need for Paratroopers in the overall role of modern warfair, as I can't think of the last time they were ever used in the role that they were intended for.. ie.. jumping into shit. Surely it must have been back in WW2 that they actually did this? Which then leads me to think of all the extra costs involved to train Para's if they are never actually going to do what they have been trained to do in an actual combat role. Surely it would be money better spent on upgrading the standards and equipment required for regular Infantry units. Just a thought. IIRC a battalion or brigade of the 82nd Airborne jumped into Afghanistan. The 173rd Airborne brigade jumped into Iraq. Then you have Grenada and Panama in the 80s. I'm sure the Rangers have jumped more recently. No. No 82nd Airborne Division elements jumped into Afghanistan, 75th Ranger Regiment elements conducted a parachute raid into Afghanistan during the initial invasion. They had some high-ranking 82nd desk jockeys ride along. They wanted a mustard stain. |
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Truthfully, when the concept of "air assault" moved from an idea to actual use in the 1960s, it largely made parachute jumps obsolete in many ways, kind of like how the automobile made the horse obsolete.
Yes, being able to drop paratroops is still useful in some ways. We dropped the 173rd Airborne into northern Iraq to open a second front (or at least make the Iraqis think we were opening a 2nd front) in 2003, when Turkey refused to let one of our heavy mechanized divisions use their territory as a jumping off point. But air mobility (air assault) is generally a more efficient and better means to insert large numbers of forces deep into enemy territory. It eliminates most of the drawbacks associated with parachute infantry. Cargo planes can get men there. But helicopters help SUSTAIN them after the fact. Helicopters allow for close air support. Helicopters allow for the removal of wounded. Helicopters are a more efficient means of resupply. Helicopters can move troops around within the same general area after the initial assault. Vertical envelopment turned the battlefield into a true 3 dimensional hell for enemy commanders to deal with when introduced. That is in a nutshell why you haven't seen many combat jumps since the 1940s and 1950s. Most of the jumps since that time have been by small units (Rangers, Special Forces, SEALs, or battalion or brigade size jumps to secure a key piece of terrain (like an airport) to allow cargo aircraft to bring in heavier follow-on forces. As such, we'll likely never again see airborne troopers used in the fashion they once were, i.e. a whole division dropped together to act as the main or at least a large portion of the main effort to seize, clear and hold large amounts of land. Air mobility is simply a better way of achieving the same thing. Any of the books that go into a lot of details about the early years of the 1st Cavalry Division when it was turned into an airmobile/air assault (reflagged from the 11th Air Assault Division) will highlight the advantages helicopter mobility provided us. Today, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) has enough helicopter lift ability to basically pick up and move a whole brigade of infantry with a full compliment of weapons and gear all at once. During the 1991 Gulf War, the 3rd brigade flew some 175 miles into Iraq to seize and secure a base of operations. In the 1940s, this would have been a job that would have called for paratroopers. But today, it is a job simply better suited to air assault units, because of their ability to better manage logistics and transport. This certainly isn't a swipe at airborne units. There is still very much a need for those type of forces within the force structure. But they just aren't as critical to have in massive numbers like they were in WWII when they were the only means we had of inserting men deep behind enemy lines in numbers sufficient enough to accomplish the missions they were given. Today, it seems the mission of airborne troops is to primarily serve as light infantry that also has the ability to land smaller size units on top of airports, etc, via parachute and hold them until heavier forces can come in and do the heavy lifting. |
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II—LIST. The following units were designated by the Senior Army Commander in the theater of operations as having participated in a parachute (to include freefall), amphibious, or helicopter assault landing.
a. Shahi Khowt Valley, Afghanistan (Helicopter), 0211Z-1045Z hours, 2 March 2002 to 3 March 2002. 31st Infantry, 4th Battalion, Company C 87th Infantry, 1st Battalion 101st Airborne Division, 3d Brigade, Headquarters and Headquarters, Detachment 187th Infantry, 1st Battalion, Detachment 187th Infantry, 2d Battalion, Detachment 320th Field Artillery, 3d Battalion, Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battery, Detachment 326th Engineer Battalion, Company C, Detachment b. Helmand Desert, Afghanistan (Parachute), 1845Z-0014Z hours, 19 October 2001 to 20 October 2001. 75th Ranger Regiment, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Detachment 75th Ranger Regiment, 3d Battalion, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Detachment 75th Ranger Regiment, 3d Battalion, Company A, Detachment 75th Ranger Regiment, 3d Battalion, Company C, Detachment c. In the vicinity of Alimarden Kan-E-Bagat, Afghanistan (Parachute), 1800Z-2334Z hours, inclusive, 13 November 2001. 75th Ranger Regiment, 3d Battalion, Company B, Detachment d. Near Chahar Borjak, Nimruz Province, Afghanistan (Parachute), 1345Z-1445Z hours, inclusive, 25 February 2003. 75th Ranger Regiment, 2d Battalion, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Detachment 75th Ranger Regiment, 2d Battalion, Company A, Detachment 75th Ranger Regiment, 2d Battalion, Company C, Detachment 504th Infantry, 3d Battalion, Company B, Detachment e. Bazaraka Molakhel, Afghanistan (Helicopter), 2100Z to 2130Z hours, inclusive,19 October 2001. Operational Detachment A 555, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces f. Dehi, Afghanistan (Helicopter), 1955Z to 2025Z, inclusive, 19 October 2001. Operational Detachment A 595, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces g. Dasht-e-Qal’eh, Afghanistan (Helicopter), 2000Z to 2030Z, inclusive, 26 October 2001. Operational Detachment A 585, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces h. Yakawolong (~ 50 kms south of M-e-S), Afghanistan (Helicopter), 1930Z to 2000Z, inclusive, 26 October 2001. Operational Detachment C 51, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces i. Yakawolong, Afghanistan (Helicopter), 2100Z to 2130Z, inclusive, 2 November 2001. Operational Detachment A 534, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces j. Dehi, Afghanistan (Helicopter), 2130Z to 2200Z, inclusive, 2 November 2001. Operational Detachment C 53, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces k. Naylowr, Afghanistan (Helicopter), 2030Z to 2100Z, inclusive, 3 November 2001. Operational Detachment A 553, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces l. Dasht-e-Qal’eh, Afghanistan (Helicopter), 2210Z to 2240Z, inclusive, 8 November 2001. Operational Detachment A 586, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces m. Bagram, Afghanistan (Helicopter), 2350Z to 0020Z, inclusive, 8 November 2001. Operational Detachment A 594, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces n. Deh Berenj Qal-eh, Afghanistan (Helicopter), 2015Z to 2045Z, inclusive, 11 November 2001. Operational Detachment A 554, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces o. Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan (Helicopter), 2120Z to 2150Z, inclusive, 14 November 2001. Operational Detachment A 574, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces p. Bagram, Afghanistan (Helicopter), 2015Z to 2045Z, inclusive, 15 November 2001. Operational Detachment A 575, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces q. Bagram, Afghanistan (Helicopter), 1900Z to 1930Z, inclusive, 15 November 2001. Operational Detachment B 550, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces r. Shin Narai Valley, Afghanistan (Helicopter), 2140Z to 2210Z, inclusive, 19 November 2001. Operational Detachment A 583, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces s. Dowshi, Afghanistan (Helicopter), 2015Z to 2045Z, inclusive, 26 November 2001. Operational Detachment A 532, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces t. Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan (Helicopter), 2130Z to 2200Z, inclusive, 28 November 2001. Operational Detachment C 52, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces u. Jalalabad, Afghanistan (Helicopter), 2200Z to 2230Z, inclusive, 30 October 2001. Operational Detachment A 572, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces v. Bashur and Sulaymaniyah airfields in Northern Iraq (Helicopter), 1200Z hours, 21 March 2003 to 1200Z hours, 23 March 2003. 1st Special Forces, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Headquarters and Headquarters Company 1st Special Forces, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 2d Special Forces Battalion 1st Special Forces, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 3d Special Forces Battalion 352nd Special Operations Squadron (United States Air Force) 1st Air Support Operations Squadron (United States Air Force) 13th Air Support Operations Squadron (United States Air Force) 22nd Special Tactics Squadron (United States Air Force) w. Bashur Drop Zone in Northern Iraq (Parachute), 1700Z to 1737Z hours, inclusive, 26 March 2003. 1st Special Forces, 10th Special Forces Group, 2d Special Forces Battalion, Detachment 74th Infantry, Detachment 173d Airborne Brigade, Headquarters and Headquarters Company 173d Support Company 250th Medical Detachment 319th Field Artillery, Battery D 501st Support Company 503d Infantry, 2d Battalion 508th Infantry, 1st Battalion 4th Air Support Operations Squadron (United States Air Force) 86th Contingency Response Group (United States Air Force) x. Northwestern Desert region of Iraq, in the vicinity of the town of Al Qaim, near the Syrian boarder (Parachute), 1830Z to 2230Z hours, inclusive, 24 March 2003. 75th Ranger Regiment, 3d Battalion, Company C 75th Ranger Regiment, 3d Battalion, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Detachment 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Detachment (United States Air Force) y. At H1 airfield in western Iraq, west of the Haditha Dam and the town of Haditha (Parachute), 1835Z to 1200Z hours, 28 and 29 March 2003. 27th Engineer Battalion, Detachment 75th Ranger Regiment, 3d Battalion, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Detachment 75th Ranger Regiment, 3d Battalion, Company A 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Detachment (United States Air Force) z. Southeastern region of Afghanistan (Free Fall), 1735Z to 1800Z hours, inclusive, 3 July 2004. 75th Ranger Regiment, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Regimental Reconnaissance Detachment, Team 3 |
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what does that list mean by "helicopter assault"? my unit did almost 2 dozen air assaults via helicopter in iraq in 2007. It means little men in little black helicopters flew them deep in Iraq before the war started. 
Were there any corresponding cases of cattle camel mutilations being recorded during this period of black helicopter activity? 
(For those not recognizing the joke, the "black helicopter" conspiracy folks here in this country have long tied cattle mutilations to the sighting of the helicopters.) |
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Deploying into a combat zone using a helicopter does not equal being a Paratrooper.
The whole of the British Army is Air Mobile, but that doesn't make them all Paratroopers. Two vastly different things IMHO. Para's 'jump' in. Troops 'deploy' from Helicopters, much like they do from the back of Warriors or Bradleys. |
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I can't think of the last time they were ever used in the role that they were intended for.. ie.. jumping into shit. Surely it must have been back in WW2 that they actually did this? Which then leads me to think of all the extra costs involved to train Para's if they are never actually going to do what they have been trained to do in an actual combat role. Surely it would be money better spent on upgrading the standards and equipment required for regular Infantry units. Just a thought. Korea Vietnam Afghanistan Iraq In large airdrop formations I'm pretty sure they were not dropped in Vietnam or Gulf 1. I'm not even sure if they were ever dropped in Korea. During Gulf 2 The 173rd was dropped 2 miles off the drop zone near Mosul and if the Iraqi Army had been in any sort of fighting shape those guys would have been wasted. |
| Paratroopers can still land further behind enemy lines in much larger numbers than what helicopters could deliver. However due to modern radar systems they propably wouldn't have the same element of surprise they used to enjoy. Pure speculation on my part though. |
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I just downloaded a TV programme called 'Pathfinders' which was shown on UK TV which is a documentary about the deployment of the Pathfinder platoon of either 1,2 or 3 Para in Afganistan. I'm not sure which of the Battalions they are from as I've not watched it yet. But it made me think about the need for Paratroopers in the overall role of modern warfair, as I can't think of the last time they were ever used in the role that they were intended for.. ie.. jumping into shit. Surely it must have been back in WW2 that they actually did this? Which then leads me to think of all the extra costs involved to train Para's if they are never actually going to do what they have been trained to do in an actual combat role. Surely it would be money better spent on upgrading the standards and equipment required for regular Infantry units. Just a thought. IIRC a battalion or brigade of the 82nd Airborne jumped into Afghanistan. The 173rd Airborne brigade jumped into Iraq. Then you have Grenada and Panama in the 80s. I'm sure the Rangers have jumped more recently. No. No 82nd Airborne Division elements jumped into Afghanistan, 75th Ranger Regiment elements conducted a parachute raid into Afghanistan during the initial invasion. They had some high-ranking 82nd desk jockeys ride along. They wanted a mustard stain. Exactly, the entire staff section wanted thiers, all the support bitches wanted thiers. From what Ive been told, from a combat controller, the SF guys there were all sitting around in lawn chairs and shorts, the DZ was a muddy field. |
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I just downloaded a TV programme called 'Pathfinders' which was shown on UK TV which is a documentary about the deployment of the Pathfinder platoon of either 1,2 or 3 Para in Afganistan. I'm not sure which of the Battalions they are from as I've not watched it yet. But it made me think about the need for Paratroopers in the overall role of modern warfair, as I can't think of the last time they were ever used in the role that they were intended for.. ie.. jumping into shit. Surely it must have been back in WW2 that they actually did this? Which then leads me to think of all the extra costs involved to train Para's if they are never actually going to do what they have been trained to do in an actual combat role. Surely it would be money better spent on upgrading the standards and equipment required for regular Infantry units. Just a thought. IIRC a battalion or brigade of the 82nd Airborne jumped into Afghanistan. The 173rd Airborne brigade jumped into Iraq. Then you have Grenada and Panama in the 80s. I'm sure the Rangers have jumped more recently. No. No 82nd Airborne Division elements jumped into Afghanistan, 75th Ranger Regiment elements conducted a parachute raid into Afghanistan during the initial invasion. They had some high-ranking 82nd desk jockeys ride along. They wanted a mustard stain. Soooooo an E-6 Squad leader is a high ranking desk jockey? Hmmmm thought there would be more perks with that. The 82nd performed a combat drop with the ranger batt. It was in the Helmand Garr region. That's all the info ya get. |
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NopeI just downloaded a TV programme called 'Pathfinders' which was shown on UK TV which is a documentary about the deployment of the Pathfinder platoon of either 1,2 or 3 Para in Afganistan. I'm not sure which of the Battalions they are from as I've not watched it yet. But it made me think about the need for Paratroopers in the overall role of modern warfair, as I can't think of the last time they were ever used in the role that they were intended for.. ie.. jumping into shit. Surely it must have been back in WW2 that they actually did this? Which then leads me to think of all the extra costs involved to train Para's if they are never actually going to do what they have been trained to do in an actual combat role. Surely it would be money better spent on upgrading the standards and equipment required for regular Infantry units. Just a thought.  Force entry, no one but Paras can do it.
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You would be wrong
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I just downloaded a TV programme called 'Pathfinders' which was shown on UK TV which is a documentary about the deployment of the Pathfinder platoon of either 1,2 or 3 Para in Afganistan. I'm not sure which of the Battalions they are from as I've not watched it yet. But it made me think about the need for Paratroopers in the overall role of modern warfair, as I can't think of the last time they were ever used in the role that they were intended for.. ie.. jumping into shit. Surely it must have been back in WW2 that they actually did this? Which then leads me to think of all the extra costs involved to train Para's if they are never actually going to do what they have been trained to do in an actual combat role. Surely it would be money better spent on upgrading the standards and equipment required for regular Infantry units. Just a thought. IIRC a battalion or brigade of the 82nd Airborne jumped into Afghanistan. The 173rd Airborne brigade jumped into Iraq. Then you have Grenada and Panama in the 80s. I'm sure the Rangers have jumped more recently. No. No 82nd Airborne Division elements jumped into Afghanistan, 75th Ranger Regiment elements conducted a parachute raid into Afghanistan during the initial invasion. They had some high-ranking 82nd desk jockeys ride along. They wanted a mustard stain. Exactly, the entire staff section wanted thiers, all the support bitches wanted thiers. From what Ive been told, from a combat controller, the SF guys there were all sitting around in lawn chairs and shorts, the DZ was a muddy field. |
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I just downloaded a TV programme called 'Pathfinders' which was shown on UK TV which is a documentary about the deployment of the Pathfinder platoon of either 1,2 or 3 Para in Afganistan. I'm not sure which of the Battalions they are from as I've not watched it yet. But it made me think about the need for Paratroopers in the overall role of modern warfair, as I can't think of the last time they were ever used in the role that they were intended for.. ie.. jumping into shit. Surely it must have been back in WW2 that they actually did this? Which then leads me to think of all the extra costs involved to train Para's if they are never actually going to do what they have been trained to do in an actual combat role. Surely it would be money better spent on upgrading the standards and equipment required for regular Infantry units. Just a thought. IIRC a battalion or brigade of the 82nd Airborne jumped into Afghanistan. The 173rd Airborne brigade jumped into Iraq. Then you have Grenada and Panama in the 80s. I'm sure the Rangers have jumped more recently. No. No 82nd Airborne Division elements jumped into Afghanistan, 75th Ranger Regiment elements conducted a parachute raid into Afghanistan during the initial invasion. Around 80 Troops from B/3/504 Jumped along with parts of the 75th in 2003, IIRC |
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About two plt with a Mortar section and Co hq
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I just downloaded a TV programme called 'Pathfinders' which was shown on UK TV which is a documentary about the deployment of the Pathfinder platoon of either 1,2 or 3 Para in Afganistan. I'm not sure which of the Battalions they are from as I've not watched it yet. But it made me think about the need for Paratroopers in the overall role of modern warfair, as I can't think of the last time they were ever used in the role that they were intended for.. ie.. jumping into shit. Surely it must have been back in WW2 that they actually did this? Which then leads me to think of all the extra costs involved to train Para's if they are never actually going to do what they have been trained to do in an actual combat role. Surely it would be money better spent on upgrading the standards and equipment required for regular Infantry units. Just a thought. IIRC a battalion or brigade of the 82nd Airborne jumped into Afghanistan. The 173rd Airborne brigade jumped into Iraq. Then you have Grenada and Panama in the 80s. I'm sure the Rangers have jumped more recently. No. No 82nd Airborne Division elements jumped into Afghanistan, 75th Ranger Regiment elements conducted a parachute raid into Afghanistan during the initial invasion. Around 80 Troops from B/3/504 Jumped along with parts of the 75th in 2003, IIRC |
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Were they used in Panama? Does it really cost that much more to train them as opposed to regular infantry? I know a fellow that jumped into Panama, shot right after it too. Training for becoming a paratrooper doesn't take that much more time and energy, you could train a motivated person to do it in a day. Non-motivated people/dumbasses take a while longer... I'd say about 3 weeks. The hardest part is finding willing instructors and the assets with which to train them. 
The best part of jump school (at least for me) was seeing the cocky jerk-off asshole who dogged me all through basic sitting down in the plane as a jump refusal on the first drop of jump week; lost puppy look on his face and all. |
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Were they used in Panama? Does it really cost that much more to train them as opposed to regular infantry? I know a fellow that jumped into Panama, shot right after it too. Training for becoming a paratrooper doesn't take that much more time and energy, you could train a motivated person to do it in a day. Non-motivated people/dumbasses take a while longer... I'd say about 3 weeks. The hardest part is finding willing instructors and the assets with which to train them.
The best part of jump school (at least for me) was seeing the cocky jerk-off asshole who dogged me all through basic sitting down in the plane as a jump refusal on the first drop of jump week; lost puppy look on his face and all.  Nice
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About two plt with a Mortar section and Co hq
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I just downloaded a TV programme called 'Pathfinders' which was shown on UK TV which is a documentary about the deployment of the Pathfinder platoon of either 1,2 or 3 Para in Afganistan. I'm not sure which of the Battalions they are from as I've not watched it yet. But it made me think about the need for Paratroopers in the overall role of modern warfair, as I can't think of the last time they were ever used in the role that they were intended for.. ie.. jumping into shit. Surely it must have been back in WW2 that they actually did this? Which then leads me to think of all the extra costs involved to train Para's if they are never actually going to do what they have been trained to do in an actual combat role. Surely it would be money better spent on upgrading the standards and equipment required for regular Infantry units. Just a thought. IIRC a battalion or brigade of the 82nd Airborne jumped into Afghanistan. The 173rd Airborne brigade jumped into Iraq. Then you have Grenada and Panama in the 80s. I'm sure the Rangers have jumped more recently. No. No 82nd Airborne Division elements jumped into Afghanistan, 75th Ranger Regiment elements conducted a parachute raid into Afghanistan during the initial invasion. Around 80 Troops from B/3/504 Jumped along with parts of the 75th in 2003, IIRC Hmmm, I used to be a part of the company mortar section for B 3/504 |
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About two plt with a Mortar section and Co hq
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I just downloaded a TV programme called 'Pathfinders' which was shown on UK TV which is a documentary about the deployment of the Pathfinder platoon of either 1,2 or 3 Para in Afganistan. I'm not sure which of the Battalions they are from as I've not watched it yet. But it made me think about the need for Paratroopers in the overall role of modern warfair, as I can't think of the last time they were ever used in the role that they were intended for.. ie.. jumping into shit. Surely it must have been back in WW2 that they actually did this? Which then leads me to think of all the extra costs involved to train Para's if they are never actually going to do what they have been trained to do in an actual combat role. Surely it would be money better spent on upgrading the standards and equipment required for regular Infantry units. Just a thought. IIRC a battalion or brigade of the 82nd Airborne jumped into Afghanistan. The 173rd Airborne brigade jumped into Iraq. Then you have Grenada and Panama in the 80s. I'm sure the Rangers have jumped more recently. No. No 82nd Airborne Division elements jumped into Afghanistan, 75th Ranger Regiment elements conducted a parachute raid into Afghanistan during the initial invasion. Around 80 Troops from B/3/504 Jumped along with parts of the 75th in 2003, IIRC Hmmm, I used to be a part of the company mortar section for B 3/504 IM me we may have met |
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I just downloaded a TV programme called 'Pathfinders' which was shown on UK TV which is a documentary about the deployment of the Pathfinder platoon of either 1,2 or 3 Para in Afganistan. I'm not sure which of the Battalions they are from as I've not watched it yet. But it made me think about the need for Paratroopers in the overall role of modern warfair, as I can't think of the last time they were ever used in the role that they were intended for.. ie.. jumping into shit. Surely it must have been back in WW2 that they actually did this? Which then leads me to think of all the extra costs involved to train Para's if they are never actually going to do what they have been trained to do in an actual combat role. Surely it would be money better spent on upgrading the standards and equipment required for regular Infantry units. Just a thought. IIRC a battalion or brigade of the 82nd Airborne jumped into Afghanistan. The 173rd Airborne brigade jumped into Iraq. Then you have Grenada and Panama in the 80s. I'm sure the Rangers have jumped more recently. No. No 82nd Airborne Division elements jumped into Afghanistan, 75th Ranger Regiment elements conducted a parachute raid into Afghanistan during the initial invasion. This. IIRC, it was 3rd Bat. (3/75). My buddy was the DACO on that jump. |
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..... Which then leads me to think of all the extra costs involved to train Para's if they are never actually going to do what they have been trained to do in an actual combat role. Surely it would be money better spent on upgrading the standards and equipment required for regular Infantry units. Just a thought. Because nothing says I love you more than dropping a few thousand troops in your backyard overnight. Have you ever watched the heavy equipment drop just before the troop drop? Freaking scary. (and really noisy) |
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Were they used in Panama? Does it really cost that much more to train them as opposed to regular infantry? I know a fellow that jumped into Panama, shot right after it too. Training for becoming a paratrooper doesn't take that much more time and energy, you could train a motivated person to do it in a day. Non-motivated people/dumbasses take a while longer... I'd say about 3 weeks. The hardest part is finding willing instructors and the assets with which to train them.
The best part of jump school (at least for me) was seeing the cocky jerk-off asshole who dogged me all through basic sitting down in the plane as a jump refusal on the first drop of jump week; lost puppy look on his face and all. Nothing like a little karma to cool some heels. |
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Were they used in Panama? Does it really cost that much more to train them as opposed to regular infantry? I know a fellow that jumped into Panama, shot right after it too. Training for becoming a paratrooper doesn't take that much more time and energy, you could train a motivated person to do it in a day. Non-motivated people/dumbasses take a while longer... I'd say about 3 weeks. The hardest part is finding willing instructors and the assets with which to train them. So I imagine that means you did the "one day" course then right? |
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But it made me think about the need for Paratroopers in the overall role of modern warfair, as I can't think of the last time they were ever used in the role that they were intended for.. ie.. jumping into shit. There have been several combat jumps in the war on terror. |
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http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/airborne-jumps.htm
An addendum to the above list: Declassified more than a year after the operation: 70 Paratroopers from B Company, 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Afghanistan, February 2003. They jumped in prior to A 2/75 in order to provide perimeter security for the operation. Some details were not declassified. |
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http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/airborne-jumps.htm An addendum to the above list: Declassified more than a year after the operation: 70 Paratroopers from B Company, 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Afghanistan, February 2003. They jumped in prior to A 2/75 in order to provide perimeter security for the operation. Some details were not declassified. Ayup |