We flew from Ft. Bragg in C141's, jumped in. The 82nd, we had Kevlar helmets before other units. German civilians standing at the edge of the DZ watching and cheering us parachuting down. We gathered in the tree line, noticed Germans gesturing & commenting about our "Fritz" helmet shape similar to their WWII helmet. I was in Germany from 73-76, returned for Reforger 82, ended up back at my old barracks Stork Barracks at Illesheim to re-outfit, recoup. Was cool, went by my old barracks to check it out. Remembered my old hash smoking days there. Now it was a co-ed barracks, that caught me off guard, females in the barracks, before we had to sneak them in. We had night vision equipment before some other units too. We were trapped in a grove of trees during one day. But that night with our NVG's, scopes we walked out of the area as we monitored the gun jeeps etc. guarding the woods. We slipped right past them in the darkness, if they would have made a reaction as to out escaping and evading them we were ready to light them up as un-beknowing to them we had a lot of weapons trained on them, watching their every move through our NVE. Good old days, my flipping pack, helmet, weapon, radio, ammo etc. was 93 pounds, staggered me to keep pace with the grunts with 45lb packs, 13F3P A Bty 2/321 Fa Bn. 82nd Abn Div.
That year our small post was the Reforger Carbine HQ and all during reforger we would do little details in support. Me and a hand full of guys set up a press tent off the road near the 82nd AB drop zone and we were told to get lost until after the drop. Not knowing exactly where the safe zone to watch we soon found out the hard way when right on time vehicles were floating down and a Gammagoat truck dropped about 100 yards away lol. It was my first time seeing US troops wearing the new helmets thought it was cool looking and cool seeing the big US flag around there arms. I still have the press release sheet it mentions being the largest Airborne drop into Germany ever. Units mentioned were 1st batt.508 Infantry.1st batt.319 Artillery and members of the 504th jumping in another location.
How neat, you were able to experience this event too, and at the HQ level. LOL, a GammaGoat come landing down like that, close to you. We had those in Panama, our 81mm mortar platoon used them to transport our weapon / ammo in. GOAT (goes over any terrain) 6x6, swims, 3 cyl diesel engine. Anyway back to this, one never knows who shows up on You Tube and the info they have. I never knew this was the largest ever Airborne drop into Germany, that's way cool, appreciate the knowledge. yep, we had our woodland cammies, colored American flags on our right shoulder. Glad you are still here to tell the tales too. What is the "Carbine" HQ any way, kind of like a small units version of Stars and Stripes? What was your major unit, 1st AD, 2nd, 3rd, what patch did you wear on your left shoulder? Were you permanent party there? Where were you stationed if yes? @@commosection
I was a wire/radio communications assigned to 3rd 35FA which was a sp 8Inch Howitzer unit stationed out of peden barracks in Wertheim Germany1982-83.Our small base/post was the HQ of reforger that year under 4 star General Krosen.We didn't participate just helped out with odds and ends@@BADMONTESS
Was stationed in Achaffenburg 75-79. Flew back and jumped in with the 1-504/82nd reforger 82. There were 3 of us that had been in USAER before. We knew the game, so we had D marks before we left Bragg. I told my platoon to make sure they brought rain gear. Wouldn't you know it, never rained a drop!
I participated in the REFORGER of 1982. At that time I was stationed with the 1st MP Company @ Ft. Riley, Kansas. It was an awesome experience and the RAA sites were cool as well. Beer tents, bands, food, tours. It really was pretty cool!
I remember taking tanks from the rail head through these villages, maybe a foot of room on either side, if you were lucky. Sliding on the cobblestones, in winter.
We flew from Ft. Bragg in C141's, jumped in. The 82nd, we had Kevlar helmets before other units. German civilians standing at the edge of the DZ watching and cheering us parachuting down. We gathered in the tree line, noticed Germans gesturing & commenting about our "Fritz" helmet shape similar to their WWII helmet. I was in Germany from 73-76, returned for Reforger 82, ended up back at my old barracks Stork Barracks at Illesheim to re-outfit, recoup. Was cool, went by my old barracks to check it out. Remembered my old hash smoking days there. Now it was a co-ed barracks, that caught me off guard, females in the barracks, before we had to sneak them in.
We had night vision equipment before some other units too. We were trapped in a grove of trees during one day. But that night with our NVG's, scopes we walked out of the area as we monitored the gun jeeps etc. guarding the woods. We slipped right past them in the darkness, if they would have made a reaction as to out escaping and evading them we were ready to light them up as un-beknowing to them we had a lot of weapons trained on them, watching their every move through our NVE. Good old days, my flipping pack, helmet, weapon, radio, ammo etc. was 93 pounds, staggered me to keep pace with the grunts with 45lb packs, 13F3P A Bty 2/321 Fa Bn. 82nd Abn Div.
That year our small post was the Reforger Carbine HQ and all during reforger we would do little details in support. Me and a hand full of guys set up a press tent off the road near the 82nd AB drop zone and we were told to get lost until after the drop. Not knowing exactly where the safe zone to watch we soon found out the hard way when right on time vehicles were floating down and a Gammagoat truck dropped about 100 yards away lol. It was my first time seeing US troops wearing the new helmets thought it was cool looking and cool seeing the big US flag around there arms. I still have the press release sheet it mentions being the largest Airborne drop into Germany ever. Units mentioned were 1st batt.508 Infantry.1st batt.319 Artillery and members of the 504th jumping in another location.
How neat, you were able to experience this event too, and at the HQ level. LOL, a GammaGoat come landing down like that, close to you. We had those in Panama, our 81mm mortar platoon used them to transport our weapon / ammo in. GOAT (goes over any terrain) 6x6, swims, 3 cyl diesel engine. Anyway back to this, one never knows who shows up on You Tube and the info they have. I never knew this was the largest ever Airborne drop into Germany, that's way cool, appreciate the knowledge. yep, we had our woodland cammies, colored American flags on our right shoulder. Glad you are still here to tell the tales too. What is the "Carbine" HQ any way, kind of like a small units version of Stars and Stripes? What was your major unit, 1st AD, 2nd, 3rd, what patch did you wear on your left shoulder? Were you permanent party there? Where were you stationed if yes? @@commosection
I was a wire/radio communications assigned to 3rd 35FA which was a sp 8Inch Howitzer unit stationed out of peden barracks in Wertheim Germany1982-83.Our small base/post was the HQ of reforger that year under 4 star General Krosen.We didn't participate just helped out with odds and ends@@BADMONTESS
I was an 11H in 1-7 INF in Aschaffenburg, Germany in 1984 and we got the new K-pots in July of that year.
Was stationed in Achaffenburg 75-79. Flew back and jumped in with the 1-504/82nd reforger 82. There were 3 of us that had been in USAER before. We knew the game, so we had D marks before we left Bragg. I told my platoon to make sure they brought rain gear. Wouldn't you know it, never rained a drop!
I participated in the REFORGER of 1982. At that time I was stationed with the 1st MP Company @ Ft. Riley, Kansas. It was an awesome experience and the RAA sites were cool as well. Beer tents, bands, food, tours. It really was pretty cool!
Actually had pretty good weather for a change back then with the 1/1 CAV
I was there, too. I was attached to the 11th ACR from 1981-1983. Blackhorse! Allons, Allons!
@@wixom01 COLDSTEEL...
I was a driver for a umpire on this exercise great fun was had
The video and music makes me really nostalgic for the old days!
Sometimes I miss every bridge in germany having a tank weight sign. This direction only 45tons for tracked vehicles, wheeled vehicles 50 tons.
I remember taking tanks from the rail head through these villages, maybe a foot of room on either side, if you were lucky. Sliding on the cobblestones, in winter.
Good Times!!!
1st 37th Armor . Katterbach FRG. 100km road march to the Maneuver Area .
1975 a sergeant I knew in usaf intelligence said "the best war is a secret war." We were in south east Asia at the time.😊
VCR head cleaner. Worth the investment.
i was there supporting with my fuel truck
belgian tank troops on theier Leopard 1 and 1 BE
artillery officer
My dad was ken Simpson do any of you remember him?
Bill Ackley cant drive a tank to save his life
3rd id 78 to 83.
Get a head cleaner for your VCR and re-record this. Great vid!