Just after 2 a.m. on Sunday morning, less than 100 hours after initial notification, Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division demonstrated their readiness to respond to crises by parachuting more than 750 Paratroopers into Fort Polk, Louisiana to conduct a simulated Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO). The exercise validates the Division's ability to rapidly deploy forces around the world as a critical component of the Global Response Force.
"This exercise tests the readiness of the Division to respond rapidly to global crises that is the hallmark of the All American Division," said Maj. Gen. Richard Clarke, commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division. "We must be able to send hundreds of Paratroopers anywhere in the world at a moment's notice and we did that. Forces Command called us and told us to move out. They did not ask if we were ready because the Army knows this Division is always ready."
The Division's 1st Brigade, currently serving as the land component and nucleus of the Global Response Force. By 2:30 a.m., they were assembled and ready for follow-on missions on Geronimo Drop Zone at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
"Our Brigade Combat Team just redeployed from conducting two significant exercises in Europe with Operation Anakonda in Poland and Swift Response 16 in Germany, one being a full Decisive Action Training Environment combat training center rotation," said Colonel Colin Tuley, commander of 1/82. "Our ability to redeploy to the United States within the last week and being able to quickly prepare and be ready for this Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise is the hallmark of our young Paratroopers and leaders' readiness within the formation. This exercise is the perfect demonstration of Paratrooper's mental, physical, and tactical agility and will continue to increase our capabilities as our Nation's Global Response Force."
The Global Response Force departed Fort Bragg with nine C-130s and six C-17s. The aircraft also air dropped a heavy equipment package of 14 vehicles and two M-119 Howitzers.
"The Division was alerted Tuesday morning of this past week with no prior notice," said Lt. Col. Joe Buccino, spokesperson for the 82nd Airborne Division. "The fact that we were able to alert, assemble, upload equipment, and then conduct an airborne operation into Fort Polk, Louisiana in 96 hours indicates that we are ready to jump, fight, and win if called. Readiness is the Army's number one priority and this exercise highlights that our Paratroopers retain a very high level of readiness."
The Brigade is expected to stay in the field through Wednesday for the exercise.
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