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82nd Airborne replacing 101st in Afghanistan

by Pfc. Jason B. Baker

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Army News Service, July 9, 2002) - The second battalion of paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division began arriving at Kandahar Airfield this week to replace air assault troops of Task Force Rakkasan.

A group of soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment departed Fort Bragg, N.C., July 6 on C-5 aircraft, landed in Germany and then flew on to Afghanistan in C-17 Globemasters. Just over a week earlier, the first paratroopers from the 3rd Bn., 505th PIR arrived at Kandahar June 27.

As the rest of the 82nd's brigade-size task force moves in over the summer, it will replace the 101st Airborne Division's 187th Infantry Regiment which has been in Afghanistan since January. The 82nd soldiers will take over security and combat operations in the region as 101st troops return to Fort Campbell, Ky.

"We want to hit the ground running," said Lt. Col. Martin Schweitzer, commander of 3rd Bn., 505th PIR. "We will use the next few days to get settled in and make transitions with the 101st."

Part of the transition that needs to be made is getting used to new living conditions and weather.

"It's really hot here," said Pfc. Daniel Zepeda, 3rd Bn., 505th PIR. "It's a lot hotter than I thought it would be, but it's better than a lot of humidity."

The air-conditioned tents the 82nd is moving into make it easier to deal with the heat and abrasive dust and wind of Kandahar, said Zepeda.

Spc. Randel Benner, 3rd Bn., 505th PIR, agreed that the cool tents really help at night to get a decent sleep, or during the day just to cool off and get away from the elements.

"We've got it a whole lot better than the 101st and they built the tents we have now," Benner said. " It's a lot better than I had expected."

The 101st began work on setting up the Force Provider package that includes a Morale, Welfare and Recreation tent, climate-controlled showers and latrines and another dining facility. Soldiers at Kandahar also get access to the Internet and morale phones to keep in touch with loved ones back in the states.

Paratroopers like Zepeda are really thankful for the job done by the soldiers of the 101st.

"They did a great job maintaining and building the place up," Zepeda said.

"Most of them (101st soldiers) are glad to see us," Benner added. "They are ready to go home, and I can't blame them; they did a great job. You can't take anything away from these guys."

The paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne have been looking forward to finally coming over to Afghanistan, said Shiefter. The troops know there is still a lot of work to be done and said they are looking forward to it.

"Now that I'm here," Benner said, "I am looking forward to going on some missions. I look forward to getting out and about."

(Editor's note: The article by Pfc. Jason B. Baker was updated with information from the 82nd Abn. Div. Public Affairs Office. Baker is a member of the 49th Public Affairs Detachment (Abn.) on site in Kandahar.)