For the old timers, this was the almost invasion of Haiti.
Cedras blinked once he got word that the 82nd (and others) were en-route.
Cedras blinked once he got word that the 82nd (and others) were en-route.
11 Oct 1994 Uphold Democracy
- Thread starter DA SWO
- Start date
DocIllinois
Verified Military
I was in Saudi at the time but recall that event well.
Our Squad Leader, whose prior unit was the 82nd, was so pissed that he missed out that he released his frustration by almost single handedly tearing down the plywood walls of our ramshackle Patriot site ECP. The rest of us joined in because we followed our leader... and Privates be crazy.
Our Squad Leader, whose prior unit was the 82nd, was so pissed that he missed out that he released his frustration by almost single handedly tearing down the plywood walls of our ramshackle Patriot site ECP. The rest of us joined in because we followed our leader... and Privates be crazy.
Operation Never mind
Me: Primary JM, Chalk 27, full combat load, getting loose rigged (DA photo)
Note the B-7's for an over water flight
Me: Primary JM, Chalk 27, full combat load, getting loose rigged (DA photo)
Note the B-7's for an over water flight
We were 30 mins out when the pilots relayed to me (I had a headset on) "We're turning around." I hit the pork chop and said "We're what?" "Why are we turning around?" 130 Pilot - "We're turning around due to bad weather." Me- "Bad weather?" "We're not cleared to turn around due to bad weather.....You need to let me know what's really going on." Pilot - "We can't....the message is classified." Me- "Look, we're executing this mission, there is no contingency plan for bad weather and this is a full blown combat operation....I've been read into everything pertaining to this op and I'm responsible to make sure this A/C, these paratroopers and myself all get there as planned." "Now, either let me know the real explanation for this change in plan, otherwise, I'm coming up front." Pilot- "Standby." A few minutes passed and then the Captain responded- "Sergeant? It's official. It's a Presidential recall." "The US Contingent already on the ground there in Haiti just reached a deal....ok?" "All the A/C have been directed to turn around and RTB......it's everyone, not just us."
I asked the pilots on the way back to Pope "Why didn't you just tell me the first time what was really going on?" Pilot- "We weren't sure whether or not if you were authorized to receive that info."
I asked the pilots on the way back to Pope "Why didn't you just tell me the first time what was really going on?" Pilot- "We weren't sure whether or not if you were authorized to receive that info."
Eh, that's a wanky thing to say and do. Thanks for your memories though. Always interesting hearing first hand.
We had to wear those ankle braces for jump school in '93.
Thank you for the personal insight in your other post. People want to hear stories of shooting people in the face, but the "other stuff" is more valuable IMO. It is important to know how the pieces fit and moved.
Kraut783
SOF Support
We were 30 mins out when the pilots relayed to me (I had a headset on) "We're turning around." I hit the pork chop and said "We're what?" "Why are we turning around?" 130 Pilot - "We're turning around due to bad weather." Me- "Bad weather?" "We're not cleared to turn around due to bad weather.....You need to let me know what's really going on." Pilot - "We can't....the message is classified." Me- "Look, we're executing this mission, there is no contingency plan for bad weather and this is a full blown combat operation....I've been read into everything pertaining to this op and I'm responsible to make sure this A/C, these paratroopers and myself all get there as planned." "Now, either let me know the real explanation for this change in plan, otherwise, I'm coming up front." Pilot- "Standby." A few minutes passed and then the Captain responded- "Sergeant? It's official. It's a Presidential recall." "The US Contingent already on the ground there in Haiti just reached a deal....ok?" "All the A/C have been directed to turn around and RTB......it's everyone, not just us."
I asked the pilots on the way back to Pope "Why didn't you just tell me the first time what was really going on?" Pilot- "We weren't sure whether or not if you were authorized to receive that info."
This is the stuff I like to hear about....the behind the scenes stuff...the good, bad, funny, and WTF stuff.
We were 30 mins out when the pilots relayed to me (I had a headset on) "We're turning around." I hit the pork chop and said "We're what?" "Why are we turning around?" 130 Pilot - "We're turning around due to bad weather." Me- "Bad weather?" "We're not cleared to turn around due to bad weather.....You need to let me know what's really going on." Pilot - "We can't....the message is classified." Me- "Look, we're executing this mission, there is no contingency plan for bad weather and this is a full blown combat operation....I've been read into everything pertaining to this op and I'm responsible to make sure this A/C, these paratroopers and myself all get there as planned." "Now, either let me know the real explanation for this change in plan, otherwise, I'm coming up front." Pilot- "Standby." A few minutes passed and then the Captain responded- "Sergeant? It's official. It's a Presidential recall." "The US Contingent already on the ground there in Haiti just reached a deal....ok?" "All the A/C have been directed to turn around and RTB......it's everyone, not just us."
I asked the pilots on the way back to Pope "Why didn't you just tell me the first time what was really going on?" Pilot- "We weren't sure whether or not if you were authorized to receive that info."
All I read out of this is "you ain't fucking me out of my mustard stain asshole". LOL
Awesome back story, as the other on here stated, I love reading the behind the scenes stuff!
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