IRIA News

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The U.S. Army’s 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team “STRIKE” of the 101st Airborne Division recently conducted a second rotation to the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC). The historic air assault mission involved more than 3000 soldiers and 80 aircraft.

During the exercise, soldiers conducted a large-scale and long-range air assault (L2A2) operation consisting of about 80 aircraft, across three U.S. states, flying from Fort Campbell, Ky. to Fort Johnson, La. The 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team covered 500 miles (about 800 kilometers) with stops at six forward arming and refueling points (FARPs), scattered over multiple southern states, and arrived at the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The exercise assessed the division’s ability to execute large-scale, long-range air assault operations, incorporating training scenarios designed to challenge their communication, logistical resupply, and tactical skills. All military training will be conducted at military installations or local airfields.

Check out a wrap up from some of our FARP locations aftera successful #L2A2 operation! Be on the lookout for our content this week to see our 2nd Brigade Combat Team “STRIKE” Soldiers as they start their rotation at JRTC! 👀🦅💥 #airassault #ScreamingEagles pic.twitter.com/U2VjBu6K1B

— 101st Airborne Div. (@101stAASLTDIV) August 19, 2024

According to the U.S. Army statement, “The movement method was not a typical way a brigade travels to “The Box”, but a way that was reminiscent to the founding of the 101st.” Traditionally, units travel to Fort Johnson by ground and spend several days preparing before engaging in the combat scenario.

The statement highlighted, “The Strike Brigade moved by air-to-ground into simulated-contested landing zones. Thus began a two-week bout with the well-known opposing forces “Geronimo,” 1st Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment.”

Deputy commanding officer for support for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), U.S. Army Col. Travis McIntosh said, “The legacy that we have, dating all the way back to World War II when we were an Airborne Division fighting in Europe.”

“Your 101st Airborne Division now is Air Mobile–it’s Air Assault, we have a number of helicopters. That’s how we fight in this division and we’re demonstrating that from Kentucky and Tennessee all the way down to Louisiana,” Col. McIntosh added.

The participating soldiers from across the Division began their movement with military equipment from Fort Campbell to FARPs across Mississippi and Louisiana. These sites offered critical sustainment for both the troops and helicopters en route.

The U.S. Army statement emphasized that the success of this type of exercise depends not only on deploying an entire brigade “further and faster” into enemy territory but also on conducting the operation at night.

U.S. Army quartermaster officer with Echo Troop, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Lt. James Tate said that the aircraft exercised rapid refueling and getting armed, and continued their flights. “We conduct all our operations under a period of darkness. We like the birds [aircraft] to get in, receive their fuel, get armed and off of our pads within 12 to 15 minutes.”

The Soldiers of the Strike Brigade arrived at JRTC for their training in a modernized approach as the Army continues to innovate, modernize, and transform its warfighting capabilities. “The L2A2 displays the combat power of today with the 101st, just as airborne paratroopers did in World War II. The 101st doesn’t just keep older ways of combat entry relevant but to make those unique abilities the future of combat operations,” the statement added.

Col. Travis McIntosh highlighted that the soldiers conducted experiments with some of the most modern equipment that the Army has fielded and provided feedback to the Army. “We’re demonstrating the capability that’s only seen in the 101st Airborne Division and that’s long-range air assault,” he added.