Photo By Sgt. Maj. Alexander Burnett | U.S. Army Paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division Artillery Brigade fire their...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. – The final day of the 82nd Airborne Division’s All American Week is a bittersweet moment for all in attendance. A week of camaraderie, rivalry and historical remembrance comes to a close, but Family, friends, veterans and Paratroopers know the Division always ends the occasion in style.
The 82nd Abn. Div. hosted the second annual Airborne Review, marking the end of All American Week 2016, at Sicily Drop Zone on Fort Bragg, N.C., May 26.
Before the official review began, Paratroopers, Families, friends and veterans interacted with static displays showcasing the weapons, vehicles and technology used by the All American Division. Spectators were also afforded an opportunity to don a T-11 parachute and reserve, share stories with current Division Paratroopers, and enjoy refreshments provided by Division Family Readiness Groups.
The aerial portion of the Airborne celebration began with the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Demonstration Team, who jumped from 12,500 feet. One member of the team carried a very special tandem jumper, the Honorable Patrick J. Murphy, the Undersecretary of the Army and a former 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Abn. Div. Paratrooper.
“Just minutes ago I landed on the drop zone after jumping once again out of a perfectly good airplane,” said Murphy. “While I'm not on jump status anymore, it is so great to be with my fellow paratroopers here at All American Week at Fort Bragg.”
Then the true spectacle began with a tactical demonstration of combat capabilities as U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolts provided simulated close air support. Spectators heard a Joint Tactical Air Controller call out coordinates as explosions drove fireballs from the ground and the mighty aircraft flew overhead. The Thunderbolts, known by the Army as the “Warthog,” conducted two more fly overs and then departed the airspace.
What followed was the moment every audience member looked forward to – a drop of heavy equipment followed by more than 1,400 Paratroopers from across the Division, including Maj. Gen. Richard Clarke and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Green, the 82nd Abn. Div. command team.
Following the jump, Paratroopers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Abn. Div., conducted an assault on an objective using light tactical all-terrain vehicles with support from two AH-64 Apache helicopters from the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade. The assault concluded with the Paratroopers demolishing an enemy structure with explosives.
Following the dazzling display of force, the Division marched forward from the drop zone, through smoke and flanked by a firing High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System towards the audience. With the formation of current Paratroopers standing tall, a group of 82nd Abn. Div veterans conducted a pass and review, carrying the colors of their former units.
As the review came to a close, ending the “Tomorrow’s Force, Today!” themed All American Week 2016, Clarke gave his thoughts on his final All American Week with the Division.
“When the veterans of this Division marched before its current members, those that paved the way for us, that will be the memory I will always cherish from this Airborne Review,” said Clarke. “Without them, we would not be the Division we are today.”
| Date Taken: | 05.26.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 05.26.2016 22:31 |
| Story ID: | 199263 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 170 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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