how are paratroopers used in iraq?

Question

do they ever do jumps? nothing big like normandy, just small mission jumps from maby a helicopter?

if not then what is their jobs?

Answer 1

There are currently no airborne operations in Iraq that you will ever hear of. The 173rd did jump in in the opening days of OIF I. Of course we had already put 3 of 5 MC-130s down on the airstrip before they arrived. The primary purpose of paratroopers (conventional type) is to sieze and hold denied territory until heavier troops can arrive...airfield siezures, bridgeheads, and beach heads are all historical missions. Right now Iraq is pretty well occupied and it is easier and safer to insert troops via helicopter than by parachute. Now, that doesn't mean that there are not other forces that may or may not use paradrops as a means of infiltration. I hope that clears it up for you.

Answer 2

There were very few combat jumps in Iraq. I believe bagdad intl was one. Air assault is probably used more than paratroopers in Iraq. The rest of the time the paratroopers are on the ground operating like a normal infantry unit.

Answer 3

Paratroopers are 11b's (infantry first and foremost). I believe there was only one combat jump in the beginning of the war and that was to secure an iraqi airfield. Other airborne divisions like the 101st are no longer actual paratroopers. They are air assault and they are the ones that ride in the helos, although anybody can do that now.

Answer 4

The same Brigade that made the one and only jump in VietNam made the one and only jump in Iraq.

The 173rd Airborne Brigade.

When they don't jump, they travel by helicopter, truck, same as other Infantry.

Answer 5

I don't think they do any jumps in Iraq right now.

Answer 6

they get used as normal infantry soldiers