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View Full Version : A little recent RAKKASAN history...



HAVOK
07-27-2011, 02:26
Im damn proud of my 101st ABN DIV, 3rd BDE RAKKASANS, here's a few reasons why:

In 2002, as part of the ongoing war on terrorism, the Rakkasans were deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). They conducted operations against the Taliban forces and were instrumental in liberating the nation from Muslim extremists. The Rakkasans took part in numerous missions in Afghanistan, to include fighting in the Shah-I-Kot mountain region of eastern Afghanistan known as Operation Anaconda.

In 2003, only months after their return, the Soldiers of the 187th Infantry were sent back to Southwest Asia to defeat Saddam Hussein and free the Iraqi people from his dictatorial form of government. Throughout Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Rakkasans conducted several air assaults as well as ground attack convoys (GAC), they secured numerous forward area refueling points (FARP) in central Iraq and they participated in the liberation of Saddam Hussein International Airport. In the post-war phase, the Rakkasans conducted operations against guerrilla forces along the Syrian border and in the Tikrit triangle region of Iraq.

In early 2004, the 187th returned to Fort Campbell for little more than a year. During that time it was reorganized under Army transformation and became the 3rd Brigade Combat Team (BCT). The newly independent 3BCT also prepared for another deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, departing for Iraq in September 2005 for OIF rotation 05-07, serving in the Salah Ad Din Province, near Tikrit. Returning in 2006, the Rakkasans underwent refit and re-training. A year later, in September 2007, the Rakkasans deployed to Iraq again for OIF rotation 07-09, operating southwest of Baghdad between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

Even now, the Rakkasans have begun preparing for their next "Rendezvous with Destiny", being the only BCT with an airborne regiment lineage in the history of the U.S. Army to fight in every war since the inception of airborne tactics. From glider, to parachute, to helicopter, the Rakkasans have entered combat in each mode of airborne warfare and have pioneered its implementation. Throughout their history, the Rakkasans have upheld the motto "Ne Desit Virtus"-"Let Valor Not Fail", and continue to do so today.

"RAKKASAN!"

Ironhide400
07-27-2011, 08:59
Thanks for the history lesson....I didn't know all that. You should be proud! :rolleyes:

HAVOK
07-27-2011, 12:39
Thanks for the history lesson....I didn't know all that. You should be proud! :rolleyes:

Thanks Ironhide...I am damn proud. The Rakkasans hold a special place in my heart, as I was one of them. But the very best of the 101st ABN DIV is represented by all the Units. The 187th isn't the only Infantry Brigade at Ft. Campbell. The 327th, 502nd, and the newer 506th are some of the best soldiers I ever coordinated with. And I have to give it up to our Aviation Pilots...a CH-47 pilot saved my ass once...never got his name...

CrzyChinook
07-27-2011, 12:52
And I have to give it up to our Aviation Pilots...a CH-47 pilot saved my ass once...never got his name...

Hells to the yeah!! prob someone i know too....in 7th/101st AVN...our community... enlisted, warrent & officer is very small....im always running in to people i know!! and just so you know it takes more than just pilots to fly'em..2 pilots, & 2 enlisted crew..(flight engineer & crewchief!):cool:

HAVOK
07-27-2011, 13:02
Hells to the yeah!! prob someone i know too....in 7th/101st AVN...our community... enlisted, warrent & officer is very small....im always running in to people i know!! and just so you know it takes more than just pilots to fly'em..2 pilots, & 2 enlisted crew..(flight engineer & crewchief!):cool:

I only mentioned the pilot, but your right, the pilots and crew of that CH-47 that elected to come pick us up after we were attacked(after a UH-60 in the area declined to do so), are my frickin heros man. I remember the tailgunner rockin that 240B so hard the barrel was practically glowing cherry red!

CrzyChinook
07-27-2011, 13:17
I only mentioned the pilot, but your right, the pilots and crew of that CH-47 that elected to come pick us up after we were attacked(after a UH-60 in the area declined to do so), are my frickin heros man. I remember the tailgunner rockin that 240B so hard the barrel was practically glowing cherry red!

thats the only way to do it bro..thats why we carry replacement barrels!! lol:p

HAVOK
07-27-2011, 13:26
thats the only way to do it bro..thats why we carry replacement barrels!! lol:p

lol I remember he was screaming something about a "reverse pinnacle"...whatever that means...we laid down next him and returned fire as he reloaded, I remember he slapped me on the back and I didn't know why, I realized later after we were in the air that he hooked a lanyard to my vest, I guess so I wouldn't fall out as we took off. Good memories.

saviger
07-27-2011, 14:09
good stuff man! If you got any stories you would like to contribute or just read go here:
http://usmilitarygamers.com/community/forumdisplay.php?f=69

couple of us (Asig and myself) have written our stories there for different reasons.

tw0sh0t2112
07-27-2011, 15:27
Awesome, thanks for posting that. I served with HHC 3rd BDE "Rakkasans" for 3 years that I was active duty, the other 5 had been in the Marine Corps. Went through Sabalaski Air Assault school there, got my wings. Was a blast. That unit was rock solid. I was with them from '98 to 2001.

HAVOK
07-27-2011, 23:05
Thats awesome tw0sh0t, I was 3rd BDE HHC mortars, 2-187 from '01-'05. Then I heard they disbanded my Battalion and transformed it into a Cav unit, 1-33rd CAV. The Raider Rakkasans became the War Rakkasans.

ASignorelli
07-28-2011, 02:51
Nice bud. I was 1st brigade "Bastogne". I was in 2-320th "Ball of the Eagle" then got moved into a Special Operations unit ran by our HHB with "No Slack" for my last deployment to Anaconda (Balad). 128 detainees with 28 HVIs captured. We were busy that 15 months :-).

saviger
07-28-2011, 08:23
Thats awesome tw0sh0t, I was 3rd BDE HHC mortars, 2-187 from '01-'05. Then I heard they disbanded my Battalion and transformed it into a Cav unit, 1-33rd CAV. The Raider Rakkasans became the War Rakkasans.

Yup, when your BDE became a independent BCT you got yourself a Sqn a Scouts to handle the Reconnaissance for the BDE. Its a RSTA (Reconnaissance Surveillance and Target Acquisition) Sqn to be exact.

Its part of that whole new fangled 'Army Transformation' thing