The Crucible - The JRTC Experience Podcast 046 S02 Ep 10 – TF Strike’s Large-Scale, Long-Range Air Assault w/COL Stultz, 2nd IBCT, 101st ABN DIV (AASLT)
The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the forty-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by LTC Mason Thornal, the Battalion Commander of 1-509th IN (OPFOR) on behalf of the Commander of Operations Group. Today’s guest is the Brigade Commander for 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), COL James Stultz.
The 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), which was activated on 1 July 1941 at Ft. Benning (now Ft. Moore), GA. The IBCT draws its infantry battalions primarily from the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Strike,” but commonly called “Five oh Duece,” and the motto of “Strike.” (The rest of the motto is “I fight where I am told, and win where I fight.”) They are easily identified by the black heart patches on their helmets dating back to preparation for the invasion of France in World War II and have been known by the enemy as the “Black Hearts Brigade.”
In this episode we discuss how leaders should prepare for large scale combat operations from an air assault perspective. Specifically, we discuss how the brigade with division assets was able to conduct the first large-scale, long-range air assault for nearly thirty years. Strike was able to lift an entire infantry battalion and various enablers simultaneously. The air assault task force then flew over seven hundred miles, utilizing several forward arming and refueling points (FARPs) before arriving at their area of operation.
Additionally, we look at how commanders and their staffs build training plans, standard operating procedures, and conduct countless rehearsals, staff exercises, and various field problems in preparation for conducting effective air assaults under combat conditions.
Part of S02 “If I Would Have Only Known” series.
Don’t forget to check-out the 101st Airborne Division’s social media pages for more information on large-scale, long-range air assaults, their handles are ‘101st Airborne’ on Facebook, ‘101stAASLTDIV’ on X, and ‘101stabndivaa’ on Instagram.
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