Theo Spark

INFO-BLURBS

ON THIS DAY IN US MILITARY HISTORY - 25 October 1983- OPERATION URGENT FURY:

The United States invasion/liberation of the Caribbean island nation of Grenada (100 miles / 160 km north of Venezuela), resulting in an American victory within a matter of days. It was the turning point of the Cold War.

The main objectives on the first day were for the 75th Ranger Regiment to capture the Point Salines International Airport in order for the 82nd Airborne Division to land reinforcements on the island; In addition, a number of special operations missions were undertaken to obtain intelligence and secure key individuals and equipment. Many of these missions were plagued by inadequate intelligence, planning, and accurate maps of any kind, and the American forces mostly relied upon tourist maps. Army Rangers also rescued the American students at the True Blue Campus of St. George's University.

A and B companies of the 1st Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment embarked on C-130s at Hunter Army Airfield at midnight on 24 October to perform an air assault landing on Point Salines International Airport, intending to land at the airport and then disembark. But the Rangers had to switch abruptly to a parachute landing when they learned mid-flight that the runway was obstructed.

The airdrop began at 05:30 on 25 October in the face of moderate resistance from ZU-23 anti-aircraft guns and several BTR-60 APCs, which were knocked out by M67 recoilless rifle fire. AC-130 gunships provided support for the landing. Cuban construction vehicles were commandeered to help clear the airfield, and one was even used to provide mobile cover for the Rangers as they moved to seize the heights surrounding the airfield.