Historical and Educational

Event contributing to the worsening of relations in 1983, were the Soviet Union downing of a South Korean airliner that violated their air space in September, and the U.S. invasion of Grenada in October. The explosive situation in Lebanon, where the superpowers were allied to opposing sides and the US forces were present as part of the multinational peacekeeping force, was a grave concern for everyone.

In June 1983, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North became the newly formed NSC crisis-management center deputy director of political affairs. LTC North reputedly played a key role in planning for the U.S. invasion of Grenada in the fall of 1983.

(* Keep in mind his name keeps coming up time and time again, especially with other actions!)

October 13, 1983, the Grenadian Army, was controlled by the former Deputy Prime Minister Bernard Coard. He seized power in a bloody coup. This caused deep concern among neighboring Caribbean nations, as well as in Washington, D.C. Also, with the presence of nearly 1,000 American medical students in Grenada caused concern.

October 23, 1983, American foreign policy and pride suffered a terrible shock when a Muslim suicide bomber destroyed the Marine barracks in Beirut, killing 240 U.S. Marines. A successful campaign in Grenada would prove helpful in alleviating the pain of that setback.

The invasion of Grenada came late in 1983. It was a rivalry between the U.S. and Cuba during the Reagan years. A bloody coup in Grenada, along with a perceived threat to American students on the island provided the U.S. with an excellent excuse to eliminate a Marxist regime which was allied with Cuba.

On October 25, 1983, the President (Ronald Wilson Regan) ordered the invasion. It came in the early morning at 0534 when they started dropping Rangers at Salines. These men jumped feom 500 feet. Airborne Rangers were first used in (1754-1763) during the French and Indian War. They spearheaded the operations in Grenada.

One man broke his leg and one's static line became entangled as he exited the aircraft, dragging him against the tail of the C-130. He was eventually pulled back on board. The United States invaded the island of Grenada this morning. The initial assault consisted of some 1,200 troops from the Ranger Battalion and the 82d Airbone Division, Air Force Navy and Marines. Aircraft included AC-130 Spectra gunship, C-130 gunships, MC-130s, Cobra attack helicopters, CH-46s, CH-53s, Sea Stallions, Ships - USS Caron, USS Guam, jeeps, motorcycles, Hughes 500 Defender helicopters, and Navy A-7s.

They were met by stiff resistance from the Grenadian army and Cuban military units on the island. Heavy fighting continued for several days, but as the invasion force grew to more than 7,000. The defenders either surrendered or fled into the mountains. Scattered fighting continued as U.S. troops hunted down stragglers, but for the most part, the island quickly fell under American control. By mid-December, U.S. combat forces went home and a pro-American government took power.

A Navy SEAL team was unable to get ashore. They were to have provided intelligence on the airfield at Salines. H-hour, was originally scheduled during the hours darkness. This time was moved several times until morning twilight (0534).

One helicopter shut down and was abandoned in the surf. A second helicopter was damaged by a tree. The Black Hawks came in rapidly, over the waves, one behind the other. The first helicopter put down safely, near the southern boundary of the camp, and was followed by the second. The third Black Hawk suffered some damage, and spun forward, smashing into the second. The fourth Black Hawk saw what was happening and veered to a hard right. The aircraft landed in a ditch, damaging its tail rotor. Apparently not realizing that the helicopter's rotor was damaged, the pilot at this time attempted to move the Black Hawk, which rose sharply, seemed to spin forward, and crashed. In twenty seconds three helicopters were down. Debris and rotor blades flew through the air, badly wounding four assault troops and killing three. One helicopter shut down and was abandoned in the surf. Later a second helicopter was damaged by a tree.

It was apparent that the American people did not know about the invasion of Grenada when I had to call Fort George Meade, Maryland requesting personnel from the Explosive Ordnance Detachment. It was only broadcast in the news media that particular morning.

19 Americans were killed in action. 49 Grenadians - were killed dead and several hundred wounded. 29 Cubans were killed and over a hundred wounded.

* Additional information (Critical Tasks, Personnel, and SOPs) will follow at a later date, time permitting.

Today, all I can do is gaze back and reminisce on the olden times.' It seems as though the thoughts are behind, but they should never have happened in the first. Time and History are Never Ending.

Charles W. Gerlach

Charles W. Gerlach

MSG, USA, NCOIC

GRREG ID Team, Grenada Task Force

Dover, Delaware

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