Two combat engineers from the 82nd Airborne jumped with the Rangers at Point Salines. The two paratroopers were heavy equipment operators. They were needed to help drive constuction vehicles off the runway. After the Rangers "secured" the runway at Point Salines, rather than the traditional parachute drop, the 82nd airlanded only to be fired upon by Cubans near the airport. The next day under stiff resistance, the 82nd was able to link up with the Marines from the northern part of the island.
The 82nd Airborne Division was the first unit to recieve the new Kevlar helmet. Because of its Germanic shape it was immediately dubbed the "Fritz" by the Army. Any problem with its shape was quickly forgotton on Grenada. The new helmet was credited with saving the lives of at least two paratroopers. The 82nd recieved a special paratroop model with a different internal suspension from the model issued to the infantry.
Also duuring this transitional period, the paratroopers of the 82nd wore a mixture of the new woodland BDU's, the Vietnam era Highland Jungle Pattern and ERDL pattern camouflage uniforms. Although, the woodland BDU was more common, it was also heavy and hot in the tropical weather. This airborne soldier has chosen to wear wear the lighterweight ERDL pattern uniform.
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