THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 21, 1994 TAG: 9409210387
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ESTES THOMPSON, ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: FORT BRAGG LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division accomplished their mission even though they didn't jump into battle over Haiti, soldiers said Tuesday.
Maj. Jim Hinnant, the division public affairs officer, said the mere threat of the paratroopers' arrival helped accomplish a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Haiti.
``Now that we've had a chance to reflect . . . we accomplished our goal without losing a single soldier. That's an appropriate use of us,'' Hinnant said Tuesday.
Approximately 2,900 soldiers were packed into C-130 transport aircraft Sunday en route to Haiti before they were ordered to turn back. Ahead of the 32 troop planes were 55 aircraft carrying supplies and vehicles that were to be dropped before the soldiers bailed out.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the division was still confined to base, a condition known as ``lock down.'' The division has approximately 910 pieces of equipment, mostly vehicles, aboard ships off Haiti. That equipment will be returned soon, Hinnant said.
``We're going through a period of debriefing,'' he said. ``Once that's complete, we'll turn our phones back on and get back to normal business. For the 82nd Airborne, that means being ready to go anywhere in the world within 18 hours.''
Troops aboard the plane were surprised and relieved when the order came to turn back.
Spc. William Ford, 25, of Evanston, Ill., said he prayed as his plane took off and felt calmer afterward.
Ford was still wearing the shoulder patch made of reflective tape that helicopters use to identify them on the battlefield. He said he was disappointed that he didn't get to use his airborne training for the first time in his two years in the military.
``I wouldn't say I was looking forward to it,'' he added. ``That's a little bloodthirsty.'' by CNB