From Haiti to Afghanistan, 82nd Shows Flexibility

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

April 30, 2010 - A battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division's ready force that returned two months ago to support the Haiti humanitarian response mission is in the process of deploying again, this time to Afghanistan to train Afghan security forces.

The first 200 soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team's 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, left Fort Bragg, N.C., April 28, and the rest of the battalion will deploy over the coming days, Army Capt. Chris Brautigam, the brigade's public affairs officer, told American Forces Press Service.

The "Red Falcon" battalion will operate as part of the International Security Assistance Force to train Afghan national security forces and provide increased security for the Afghan people, Brautigam said. The soldiers will be posted at multiple sites throughout Afghanistan, lending their expertise to help the Afghan security forces increase the capability they will need to ultimately take the lead for Afghan security.

The 82nd Airborne Division headquarters and 4th Brigade already are serving in Afghanistan.

The 2nd Brigade's 1st Battalion is leaving Fort Bragg without knowing precisely how long it will remain in Afghanistan. "Those guys are prepared to stay as long as necessary to accomplish their mission and ensure that we meet the intent of the commander over there," Brautigam said.

There's broad recognition within the United States as well as the coalition that overall success in Afghanistan depends heavily on success in building Afghanistan's security forces so they can ultimately take responsibility for their country's security. In addition to the U.S. forces deploying to support the training mission there, NATO and other international partners have pledged to provide more trainers. Some already are on the ground, and others are slated to arrive soon.

Brautigam called the training mission a natural extension of what the 82nd Airborne's troops do every day.

"Our officers and [noncommissioned officers] conduct training every day, so it is a very easy transition to go from training our own soldiers to training the soldiers of Afghanistan," he said.

Although the current deployment is the battalion's first to focus specifically on training Afghan forces, Brautigam said, the "All-American Division" prides itself on its flexibility to do whatever is called upon to do.

The 2nd Brigade has served as the Army component of the global response force since June 2009, and has trained for the whole spectrum of capabilities it could be called upon to provide, Brautigam said. During its most recent deployment, the Red Falcon battalion provided humanitarian assistance as part of Operation Unified Response following a devastating earthquake that struck Haiti in January.

"This highlights the quality of the soldiers here, because we can go from mission to mission, with all of them very different," Brautigam said. "It's also a testament to the leadership of the organization, because they are flexible and adaptable and ensure the soldiers are trained to do that."

Brautigam offered high praise to the family members who understand the importance of the missions their soldiers conduct, and stand solidly behind them.

"They know that when their spouse comes to the 82nd Airborne, frequent deployments with little or no notice can happen," he said. "They are prepared for that, and [are] very proud of what their soldiers do on a daily basis."

He cited a solid family support network within the 82nd and Fort Bragg and unit family readiness groups that have been tested during previous deployments.

As the Red Falcons deploy to Afghanistan, the remainder of the 2nd Brigade will serve as the Army component of the global response mission, prepared to deploy on short-notice contingency operations anywhere in the world, Brautigam said.