Army drops number of paratroopers

Reducing capability is never a "good thing", but in this case necessary.

The Army simply couldn't afford to keep the number of jump rated positions it currently has (which in my opinion was entirely too many to begin with).
 
Bullet said:
Reducing capability is never a "good thing", but in this case necessary.

The Army simply couldn't afford to keep the number of jump rated positions it currently has (which in my opinion was entirely too many to begin with).
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True and I can see ROTC and even active duty opportunites for Airborne school being greatly reduced.
 
NorwichDad said:
True and I can see ROTC and even active duty opportunites for Airborne school being greatly reduced.
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Well for most people, jump wings are just another hooah badge to add on an ORB or connect a person to past history (i.e. Normandy invasion). Practically there is no reason to send most people to jump school and in my unit it is only used as an incentive for junior enlisted who soldiers excel even know 99.9% of them will never be in a ABN unit. As a cadet who might not even commission it is even more suspect of an opportunity. Don't get me wrong all these school are fun to go to but with budget cuts and all...
 
36cmadawg said:
When's the last time the Army had a major combat jump anyways?
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Very true. I imagine it was the same with the Army's seperation from the horse cavalry 80 years ago. A glorious past and history fading away due to current needs. Though some things the military just cant get rid of. Like the old B-52s that will fly for another 50 years.
 
36cmadawg said:
When's the last time the Army had a major combat jump anyways?
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Depends what you defined as "major"


OPERATION NORTHERN DELAY

Dates(s) or period of service: 26 1700Z March 2003 to 26 17737 March 2003 at Bashur Drop Zone Northern Iraq

The parachute assault force consisted of HHC, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 1st-508th Infantry (Airborne), 2nd-503rd Infantry (Airborne), 74th Long Range Surveillance Detachment, D Battery 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd Combat Support Company, 501st Forward Support Company, 250th Forward Surgical Team, ODA (-), 2nd Battalion 10th SFG, 4th ASOS (USAF), and the 86th Expeditionary Contingency Response Group (-) (USAF).

The aircraft were from the C-17s of the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings from McChord AFB, Washington and the 437th Airlift Wing and 315th Reserve Airlift Wing from Charleston AFB, South Carolina.

10 Chalks = 969 Jumpers

http://www.173rdairborne.com/manifest-iraq.htm

I believe some Ranger companies also made combat jumps during OIF, but my guess is that the above operation is the largest.

Of course, if this airborne operation was actually needed or not is up for a debate.
 
The initial phase of Just Cause had The Ranger Regiment simultaneously jumping all 3 battalions and the Reg HQ to assault Tocumen and Rio Hato - somewhere around 2000 jumpers total, and I think that 1/508 was jumping at the same time to secure Ft Amador .
 
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