Paratroopers and family members of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday Tuesday, November 22 at the brigade’s Dining Facility on Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
“Today, paratroopers and family members of the brigade are thankful for the opportunity to celebrate as we enter the holiday season,” said Col. Arthur Sellers, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team’s Commander. “This meal gives everyone an opportunity to fellowship while enjoying the delicious food prepared by our expert culinary team,” he continued.
To prepare the meal, Culinary Specialists from the 82nd Brigade Support Battalion, part of the 3rd BCT, began preparing the night before and worked into the early morning on the finishing touches. The paratroopers prepared over 640 lbs. of turkey, 558 lbs. of steamship round, 72 lbs. of shrimp, more than 100 pies, approximately 700 servings of sweet potatoes and approximately 800 servings of green bean casserole to serve during the brigade’s Thanksgiving meal.
The Panther Brigade’s Thanksgiving meal was held Tuesday, November 20th in the brigade’s Dining Facility on Fort Bragg. Honoring tradition, leaders from across the brigade served the meal to paratroopers and their families while dressed in their Army Service Uniform.
Special decorations adorned the dining facility to celebrate the holiday and honor the 50th anniversary of the brigade’s short-notice deployment in 1968 to Vietnam to conduct combat operations. Sent in response to the Tet Offensive, the 3rd Brigade gained the nickname “The Golden Brigade” while fighting the Viet Cong in numerous pitched battles over the course of a year-long deployment.
Fort Bragg-based paratroopers recently concluded an intensive training exercise requiring them to test what may be the U.S. Army’s next step in Mission-Command technology.
Paratroopers with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division operate a tethered drone during the Network Integration Exercise 18.2 in El Paso, Texas, October 30th, 2018. Paratroopers from the brigade role-played as an opposing force during NIE, a large-scale evaluation of what may become the Army’s next generation of Mission Command technology.
Paratroopers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, in cooperation with the Joint Modernization Command, recently executed Network Integration Exercise 18.2 from late October to early November 2018.
Paratroopers assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division conduct a systems check on their VROD/VMAX electronic warfare equipment before conducting a tactical exercise at the recently concluded Network Integration Exercise. Paratroopers from the brigade conducted NIE as a large-scale evaluation of what may become the Army’s next generation of Mission Command technology.
“The best way to test a paratrooper and his or her equipment is to replicate the demanding crucible of ground combat,” said Col. Arthur Sellers, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team. “NIE provided the brigade an excellent environment to evaluate the Army’s future Mission Command Systems and associated technologies, with the purpose of creating shared understanding and enabling the BCT to be more lethal”.
Paratroopers with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division prepare to conduct an ambush attack November 2, 2018 during Network Integration Exercise 18.2. Paratroopers from the brigade conducted NIE as a large-scale evaluation of what may become the Army’s next generation of Mission Command technology.
Network Integration Exercise, spearheaded by JMC, examines concepts and capabilities addressing three of the six Army Modernization Priorities – Soldier Lethality, Long-Range Precision Fires and the Future Network.
Paratroopers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division conduct a security check November 2, 2018 during Network Integration Exercise 18.2. Paratroopers from the brigade conducted NIE as a large-scale evaluation of what may become the Army’s next generation of Mission Command technology.
“Our main objectives are to facilitate the execution of operationally realistic warfighting assessments for over two weeks and assess multi-domain operations while obtaining feedback from paratroopers on the ground,” said Rodger Lemons, Chief of Strategic Plans at the JMC.
Paratroopers from the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division conduct air-assault training at the recently concluded Network Integration Exercise. Paratroopers from the brigade conducted NIE as a large-scale evaluation of what may become the Army’s next generation of Mission Command technology.
The exercise’s keystone concept focused on equipping 3rd Brigade paratroopers and units with emerging technology and equipment while setting them through a series of combat scenarios. Those using the equipment were then encouraged to provide candid criticism of the shortfalls and benefits of the technology.
A paratrooper assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division launches a PUMA Unmanned Aerial Surveillance Vehicle during the recently concluded Network Integration Exercise. Paratroopers from the brigade conducted NIE as a large-scale evaluation of what may become the Army’s next generation of Mission Command technology.
“Paratroopers on the ground are able to give developers immediate feedback,” said Lieutenant General Bruce T. Crawford, the Army’s chief information officer. “This allows the Army to move away from the monolithic programs of record and move into a more iterative approach that allows us to keep up with technological advancements.”
We are pushing towards a culture of innovation and the role these Paratroopers are playing is a game changer, continued Crawford.
Paratroopers and family members of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team enjoyed an evening of fun, fellowship, food and scares at the Panther Brigade Trunk or Treat held Monday, October 29th in the brigade’s area on Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Numerous civilian and military vehicles were set up and in costume to provide trunk-or-treat stations to children while members of the brigade organized and ran a costume contest.
Other events during Trunk or Treat included an obstacle course, a haunted aid station and event a potluck where families could bring a dish and dine on a variety of foods.
Furry friends also made an appearance last night, giving children a treat of different sorts as they had the opportunity to encounter a very patient llama and alpaca.
