On Jan. 10, 2007, a solemn President Bush addressed the nation and announced his plan to restore order. He called for an additional five U.S. combat brigades to be deployed to Baghdad to end the violence and reestablish security.
More than 50,000 troops would eventually take part in the "Surge." The first of these units to answer the call was the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team.
Over the course of 15 grueling months, as they served out the longest combat tours since WWII, Paratroopers from the "Falcon" Brigade helped bring about a stunning turnaround in Baghdad and Iraq's security situation. By the end of 2007, thanks to the Paratroopers' grit and determination, levels of violence dropped a dramatic 90 percent throughout their area of operation and al-Qaeda in Iraq was on the run everywhere in the country.
For most of the Falcons, it was an odyssey that began on Dec. 27, 2006, the day the Brigade received orders for an immediate deployment to Kuwait. While most Americans continued to enjoy their Christmas break, the Falcons suddenly had to scramble to move 3,000 paratroopers, 300 containers of equipment and 100 vehicles halfway around the world. Amazingly, the movement was complete in less than a week.
"I don't know of anyone else (but the 82nd Airborne) who can do that," said Maj. Michael Baumeister, the brigade's logistics officer.
Deploying on such short notice is what the 82nd Airborne Division prides itself in, but for one unit from the brigade, it was a unique challenge. The Paratroopers from 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, or Red Falcons, had recently redeployed from a five-month tactical mission that had them fighting all across Iraq, chasing elements of al Qaeda. The Battalion had only been at home for ten days when it received orders sending them back to the Middle East.
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