“The Screaming Eagles” or the 101st Airborne Division, are built as a light infantry division of the United States Army, training continuously in air assault operations. Being referred to as the tip of the spear, you could say that they are the best of the best, as far as units in the United States Army, are concerned. They have the skills necessary to be ready for attack as soon as they receive the signal to go. The soldiers are trained to plan, organize and execute some of the most strategic attacks, size of full brigades, from the air. Their training continues as they move into severe environments with little to no shelters or building coverage once on the ground. Currently having troops in Iraq and Afghanistan carrying out counter terrorism operations (which are efforts in retaliation for some previous act of terrorism).
Having a collective period of one-hundred years history, the 101st Airborne Division’s’ first successful operation was played out in World War II. The D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, in Normandy, France, they were other known as “Airborne landings”.The list can continues on, of name recognized operations that were carried out. The Battle of the Bulge with presences near Bastogne, Belgium their most legendary action.
There was a shift in the names of the division, as their use of transport went from airplanes to helicopters. In the late 1960s, reorganization brought them to be categorized as the air mobile division. Moving forward almost 10 years to helicopters they were renamed the air assault division. These transport aircraft deliver the troops into combat. Many of those members are graduates from the United States Army Air Assault School, it’s dropout rate stands at 50% percent, due to it being the most intense training in a short 10 day stretch over other schools. The 101st Airborne division takes up most of the military fiction roles, as most elaborate division. Division Headquarters has the privilege of calling Fort Campbell, Kentucky, it’s place of residence.
The 101st Airborne division, sustained of 280 helicopters, has the capacity in one take off to bring 4,000 assault armed men, within 150 kilometers of enemy lines. Further broken into battalions three are Apache attack helicopters. Above their vigorous travel into enemy territory and fighting terrorism. The 101st Airborne Division is involved in intelligence support, operation and maintenance, support personnel and artillery specialists. Known as the unit of choice, the 101st is no division to take lightly one of the most flexible and versatile divisions of the Army. The 101st has the ability to move very long distances, dropping down into the mountains, hooking off to ridge lines, sling-load pieces of artillery for indirect fire. Having the wherewithal to secure bridge sites, assist in combined arms for other units, going one step further they can secure airfields.
Photo shows General Eisenhower talking with American paratroopers on the evening of June 5; 1944; as they prepared for the Battle of Normandy. The men are part of Company E; 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment; at the 101st Airborne Division’s camp in Greenham Common; England. Photo includes Sgt. Fred Lindsey holding a sketchbook; behind and to the left of Eisenhower’s back (Source: Chad Lindsey; 2014); Russell Wilmarth; behind Eisenhower’s chin (Source: Alan Offen; 2009); Lt. Wallace C. Strobel with a “23” tag (Source: “Dwight David Eisenhower: The Centennial; CMH Pub 71-40); Ralph “Bud” Thomas; to the left of Strobel (Source: Eileen Thomas Hayes; 2012); and probably Corporal Donald E. Kruger; in front row; far right; wearing a musette bag on his chest.