Behind-The-Scenes With Elite Army Troops Training For Deployment Overseas in 1983

In 1983 I was fortunate enough to be given permission to film (without any Army PR present) the activities involved as the United States Army 101st Airborne Division was training its Rapid Deployment Force. I had three camera crews and we had to film everything to make our documentary in just 36 hours. When we begin recording the soldiers, they did not know that they were about to be called up for an EDRI (Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise). The original music my team created for this documentary is a bit corny today, but it was experimental electronic music at that time. The Rapid Deployment Force was established in the ‘80s by the Carter administration as a part of the United States military’s effort to respond quickly to global contingencies, especially in the Middle East and Southwest Asia. The RDF’s establishment came in the wake of events like the Iranian Revolution and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, both of which heightened U.S. concerns about the stability of the Persian Gulf region and its critical oil reserves. The RDF was composed of elements from all branches of the U.S. military though it was predominantly an Army and Air Force entity. It incorporated elite units, rapid logistics capabilities, and powerful air and naval assets to ensure quick mobilization and deployment. The Army’s involvement in the Rapid Deployment Force necessitated specialized training to ensure that troops were prepared for rapid mobilization within 36 hours. Given that a primary focus of the RDF was the Middle East, training for desert warfare was crucial. This included survival skills in arid environments, understanding of desert terrain and its impact on operations and the unique nuances of desert combat. Given the global scope of potential operations, troops received rudimentary training in local customs and languages of potential deployment areas, especially the Middle East. Units would undergo advanced combat and tactical training tailored to rapid response scenarios. While the RDF itself did not see major combat action, its legacy as embodied by CENTCOM, was deeply felt. In 1983, U.S. forces intervened in Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury). Most notably, CENTCOM oversaw Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990-1991, which pushed Iraqi forces out of Kuwait. While the Rapid Deployment Force itself was a relatively short-lived entity, its establishment marked a pivotal shift in U.S. military strategy and focus towards the Middle East, setting the stage for America’s military engagements in the region for the next several decades. Fort Campbell, Kentucky, was and is the home of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) which has a long history of being among the first to respond in times of crisis. Some of the scenes in this film show soldiers training in air mobility operations, including helicopter assaults, sling-load operations (transporting equipment using helicopters), and rappelling. Such skills were crucial for rapid deployment scenarios. The film presents the first stages of an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE). These exercises tested the military’s ability to rapidly mobilize, deploy and operate in potential conflict zones. Units involved in an EDRE were given little to no notice. The surprise nature of these exercises was essential to test and evaluate the genuine readiness of military units, mirroring the unpredictability of real-world crises. This involved loading equipment onto transport aircraft, organizing convoys, or preparing for naval transport. Deployment would test logistical processes, coordination among units, and the functionality of transport assets. Throughout the 1980s EDREs played a pivotal role in ensuring that the U.S. military, especially components like the RDF, maintained a high state of readiness to address threats and crises in a rapidly changing global landscape. If you find this of interest, I would appreciate your supporting my efforts to continue presenting videos like this by either clicking the thanks button below the video screen or by becoming a patron - Thank you David Hoffman filmmaker