URGENT FURY

[OLDNAVYMCPO]

The US invasion of Grenada, code named Operation Urgent Fury, began today, Oct 25, in 1983.

The invasion resulted from political unrest in the Caribbean island nation that threatened the lives of American citizens living there.

Among many others, Navy SEALS were involved in the invasion. This was the very first covert combat operation for the Navy SEALS since Viet Nam.

The SEALS had two defined missions, the rescue of the Governor-general and the capture of the only radio tower.

Delays caused the airborne insertion of SEALS to be done during a nighttime storm. One flight missed the drop zone and four SEALS drown in a storm. Their bodies would never be recovered.

All comm gear for the rescue mission had been accidentally left behind on the insertion chopper. Surrounded by Grenadian and Cuban aggressors, the SEALS had to call for fire by using the Governor's mansion land line to make a long distance phone call to SEAL headquarters to direct fire support. They were relieved the following day by a unit of Force Recon Marines.

The second SEAL unit at the radio tower finding themselves under attack, blew the radio station, fought their way to the beach and open water. After four hours in the open sea, they were rescued.

Today, the anniversary of the invasion is celebrated as a national holiday in Grenada.

The invasion was a learning situation for the military. The failure of various units from different services to communicate with each other became evident and had to be resolved in the future.

There were 7,600 US forces involved in the total operation. Army Rangers, 82nd Airborne paratroopers, Marines and Spec Op units were involved.

My purpose here was to highlight the SEAL losses which were avoidable. A failure of planning and leadership were to blame.

 

[walkin jack]

Very interesting. That event was used as back ground setting for the Clint Eastwood movie Heartbreak Ridge. The action there was very brief part of the movie and not much specific reference was made. I always wondered why Hollywood mostly ignored this historical event.

 

[OLDNAVYMCPO]

Very interesting. That event was used as back ground setting for the Clint Eastwood movie Heartbreak Ridge. The action there was very brief part of the movie and not much specific reference was made. I always wondered why Hollywood mostly ignored this historical event.

Not just Hollywood, the media pretty much ignored the significance of the fact that Cuba was fixing to install a pro communist shadow government there. The airport was being expanded to handle the largest Soviet military aircraft. A huge supply of Russian 7.62x39 ammo was stored there, Cuban troops were stationed there with anti-aircraft guns protecting the air field. Cuban troops were being pre-positioned there.

But to read the press and hear some of our allies, we used a flimsy excuse of saving some med students who weren't in any danger to begin with. We had complete justification for going in but little was made in the press about it.

One thing that was a really important outcome of the operation was the illustration of just how outdated our military comm gear was and the fact that the different services couldn't communicate with each other. Mostly corrected now but it took the first Desert Storm to finally motivate the military to change. Even in 1993 the SEABEES were still using the PRC-77, the Viet Nam vets will know what I'm referring to.

 

[DWalt]

An interesting article about the 35th anniversary of the Grenada invasion was in the newspaper today. It's not widely known that Grenada is a major player on the world spice market regarding its high quality cinnamon, allspice, turmeric, nutmeg, mace, bay leaves and even chocolate products. Its tourist popularity is also rapidly increasing, especially among Americans.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

A friend of mine was one of the rescued students. They were not overtly threatened, but were very happy to leave and grateful. He did not go bacl and is now an oncologist on Long Island.

 

[joe44va]

I believe that the Monroe Doctrine is still in effect, but largely forgotten.
Thanks for all your historical reminders.
Joe

 

[soFlaNative]

I can recall the beginnings of a groundswell of appreciation for America's military that had been missing for nearly a generation.

 

[yaktamer]

I was in my second or third week of Army basic. Of course at that point we had zero contact with the outside world. Drill sergeants rousted us early for formation and left us standing there for a long time -- obviously something out of routine. Then one of them steps to the middle of the drill pad and says, "The United States is at war." Given what was going on at the time, I figured in a few weeks I'd be deploying to the Middle East or Nicaragua or El Salvador. Hair still stands up on the back of my neck just thinking about it.

 

[yaktamer]

An interesting article about the 35th anniversary of the Grenada invasion was in the newspaper today. It's not widely known that Grenada is a major player on the world spice market regarding its high quality cinnamon, allspice, turmeric, nutmeg, mace, bay leaves and even chocolate products. Its tourist popularity is also rapidly increasing, especially among Americans.

As long as it isn't pumpkin spice. We'd have to invade again. Or maybe just nuke.

 

[yaktamer]

The invasion was a learning situation for the military. The failure of various units from different services to communicate with each other became evident and had to be resolved in the future.

And of course, the Army learned a little too well. Several months later I was assigned to a rapid deployment unit. One day I was told to report for a dental exam. They butchered me unnecessarily removing a couple of wisdom teeth that (1) didn't need to come out at all at that point and (2) should only have been removed by an oral surgeon using proper equipment and procedures. I found out later that they were running a special on wisdom teeth for any units attached to 18th Airborne Corps because somebody decided that "too many" guys from the 82nd were on non-deployable profiles for Grenada for issues with their teeth. I'm guessing "too many" was one or two.

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

The rescue of students in danger, really. Just used as an excuse
to invade. These type excuses go back to at least the war with
Mexico that the then U.S president used for a war. Wars with
Vietnam, Iraq not to mention the Native Americans all had
motives other than great danger to the U.S. And before
anyone jumps ugly, I was one of those who went when
called in 1969. Most Americans just go along with the
propaganda put out at the time, I was on of them in
1969. I have wised up some since then.

 

[ChuckS1]

The rescue of students in danger, really. Just used as an excuse
to invade. These type excuses go back to at least the war with
Mexico that the then U.S president used for a war. Wars with
Vietnam, Iraq not to mention the Native Americans all had
motives other than great danger to the U.S. And before
anyone jumps ugly, I was one of those who went when
called in 1969. Most Americans just go along with the
propaganda put out at the time, I was on of them in
1969. I have wised up some since then.

It's for guys like you I learned to use the "ignore" button.

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

It's for guys like you I learned to use the "ignore" button.

It is sometimes hard to ignore truth starring you in the face.
But thanks and have a nice day.

 

[Shark Bait]

I was in the 82nd Airborne Division at that time. I was not sent down there, but my sister didn't know that. She drove through a red traffic light when she heard on the radio that the 82nd had parachuted into the airfield.

 

[les.b]

Thanks for the heads up, Chief!! As usual, your posts are good reading, and give us all reason to pause in our daily tasks and remember the sacrifices that our troops make which often don't make it into the press.

Best Regards, Les

 

[jimbo728]

I was very saddened over the loss of the 4 SEALS. Still am. But I think they must have left us regretting they could not join the fight.
I only met one in my active duty but luckily for me I met the SEAL that trained and certified him just last month. That was an interesting and rewarding experience for both of us. My good luck.
Jim