U.S. Army Airborne Operations

U.S. Army Airborne Operations
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U.S. Army Airborne Operations Introduction The use of airborne operations by the United States Army has been a significant component in enhancing its tactics and strategies as a military organisation. The idea of using soldiers to parachute and land behind enemy lines formed part of a new strategy to enhance the army’s element of surprise. This was a revolutionary idea that changed the face of military operations from the previous era of ground forces. The U.S. Army has thus been at the front end of enhancing its airborne capabilities and has continuously deployed its forces under different combat conditions. Such airborne operations have been deployed in various situations, including World War II and the Vietnam War, setting the stage for a new type of deployment of soldiers on the battlefield. Consequently, this paper seeks to examine the history and impact of airborne operations in the U.S. Army’s military combat operations in wartime situations. The focus of this paper will be on two specific events where large-scale airborne operations were deployed, namely Market Garden D-Day operations and Operation Just Cause. These two events are considered crucial moments in time where the history of airborne operations is directly shown. Additionally, the effectiveness of such operations is also demonstrated during the course of these two operations, thus providing valuable insight into the impact they had on their continued use in military operations. The Market Garden D-Day operations were undertaken during World War II when Allied forces were attempting to advance into Germany. On the other hand, Operation Just Cause was conducted in Panama to remove the dictator, Manuel Noriega. Consequently, by examining these two operations, this paper will aim to provide valuable insights into the role of airborne operations in military combat situations and their effectiveness in achieving strategic objectives in the long run.   History Background             The U.S. Army Airborne Operations form a critical section of the army’s training and operations. As a result, the individuals in these operations have a high degree of training and can be deployed into hostile environments through aerial capabilities to conduct combat operations and establish a foothold in enemy territories (Wright, 2009). Consequently, the United States has been able to maintain an adaptable source of highly skilled and mobile soldiers able to deal with any type of threats. Airborne operations have been deployed in various conflicts globally and can be traced back to the Second World War and the operation in the Middle East. The formation of this section of the army played as a strategic option to capture targets or disrupt enemy troops. The United States considered using airborne operations in the 20^th century, with the first parachute test platoon formed in the year 1940 (Wright, 2009). This was followed by the formation of the Airborne Command, which was tasked with the training of soldiers and the development of appropriate tactics.             The U.S. Army undertook its first official airborne operation in 1942 in North Africa, where the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion was deployed to harass enemy troops and disrupt their communication channels (Wright, 2009). The success of this deployment fueled the increased investment in airborne operations leading to a growth in the number of units. Subsequently, the army developed to have five airborne divisions and several battalions by the end of World War II. The use of airborne troops thus became standard due to the increase in the army’s capabilities and its success during combat operations.             The United States has since been involved in several combat operations, including the Korean War, where units were deployed to the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in 1950. Apart from that, the airborne operations were also involved in the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965, which was the first major encounter between the U.S. and the North Vietnamese forces. The U.S. Army’s airborne forces today include the 82^nd Airborne Division, the 173^rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team and the 4^th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. Operation Market Garden             Operation Market Day was launched during World War II in 1944 to try and secure important landmarks and ultimately overcome the German defence mounted in the Netherlands. This joint operation by the Allied forces involving the United States and the United Kingdom used an airborne assault that was to be followed by a ground offensive. The airborne operation involved the deployment of over 35,000 paratroopers and glider troops who were dropped behind enemy lines to secure key enemy bridges over the Rhine River (Huston, 1998). In its planning, the offensive would be launched over two days, allowing ground forces to reach them and thus begin the march into Germany.             While the initial drop of paratroopers was successful, enabling the Allied Forces to capture a few bridges, they faced stiff resistance from the German forces. Furthermore, the Allies also had communication problems which affected the ability of the ground forces to reach their peers. Additionally, logistical challenges also plagued the operation, resulting in significant breakdowns between the different groups fighting the Germans on different fronts (Huston, 1998). Ultimately, the operation failed, leading to a huge number of casualties for the Allies and a huge setback towards their goal of advanc...