European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - March 27, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse Friday March 27, 198? the stars and stripes Page 3 troops slosh through the mud to Board a helicopter going in Hohenfels Germany. Weather puts Damper on exercise for Italy gis Hie first flight of airborne soldiers lakes off from a rain soaked runway while other troops Wail near the Woods for a life photos and Story by Tony n All Roth Nuernberg Bureau Grafe Woehr Germany when the 3rd in 325th airborne from Vicenza Italy needs a lift it. Col. Ron Ald Rokosz has to order up an extra dose of helicopters to gel the Job done whenever we request support i be got to make sure those supporting us know we re not a Normal battalion the commander said of the battalion whose Mission is to help Shore up nato s Southern flank from Italy through Greece and Turkey almost to Iran. It s a weird organization. Whenever i ask for billeting for my battalion whatever s supporting us wants to give us about 600 Spates the size or a Normal Battal Ion. I Tell them no no i need 1,200. " the airborne soldiers were in Ger Many this week Tor training at 7th army training come s Grafin Wocher and to Brno cos Sites. On tuesday half of them stood on the Edge of a Muddy runway at Grafen Wocher for a life to Hohenfels where they were to conduct raids behind imaginary enemy lines. Helicopters from the 223rd aviation in Cut of Schwa Ebisch Hall churned through the Gray fog. And airborne troops struggled against a Rotor beaten wind that threw grit and mud into their faces. A first lift of Black Hawk copters loaded up took off and headed South As a group of Chi nooks looking More like airborne boats than aircraft cased in word came that the first group hit a Wall of ugly weather and had to abort the Mission. They landed in Vilseck at the Southern Edge of Grafin Wocher s ranges Rokosz took it All in stride. Well just delay the first phase of the operation he said with a shrug. If the delay lasts too Long Well cancel the first it. Col Etna ii Gibson aviation Bat Talion commander was disappointed with the weather problems but said his 400 soldiers from Schwac Bisch Hall still received valuable training because of the planning value of the operation. Meanwhile spec. 4 Charles Ware Sal on his pack with a couple of buddies waiting for the weather to Clear. This was his last exercise before leaving the army and resuming to his Home in Dover. Del. He wanted 10 go out with a bang. In Italy we Don t have to worry about this kind of thing very he said adding that it was 70 degrees and sunny when they left Italy for training in Germany. The operation did continue with dampened momentum. Well Kokos said that s reality for staff Sjol. Kim Invah to Tutti tuft. I be. John Bedsole Center and spec. 4 Charles wart Wail for is break in la u
