How Air Assault Works - Featuring the Rakkasans of the 101st Airborne

[@RyanMcBethProgramming]

Thank you Helix for sponsoring! Visit helixsleep.com/ryanmcbeth to get 20% off your Helix mattress, plus two free pillows. Offers subject to change. #helixsleep This video is for educational purposes, made in cooperation with the U.S. Army to describe how Air Assault operations work. No combat footage was shown. Special thanks to the 18th Airborne Corps, the 101st Airborne, 3rd Brigade 187th Infantry ("Rakkasans"), and Company C, 1-33 Calvary for allowing me to film their operations. Get your "Rock Out With Your Chalk Out" Shirt here: www.bunkerbranding.com/products/air-assault-t-shirt?variant=43292651028611 For uncensored video, check out my substack at: ryanmcbeth.substack.com Like my shirts? Get your own at: www.bunkerbranding.com/pages/ryan-mcbeth Want a personalized greeting: www.cameo.com/ryanmcbeth Watch all of my long form videos: kzbin.info/aero/PLt670_P7pOGmLWZG78JlM-rG2ZrpPziOy Twitter: @ryanmcbeth Instagram: @therealryanmcbeth Reddit: /r/ryanmcbeth Join the conversation: discord.gg/pKuGDHZHrz Want to send me something? Ryan McBeth Productions LLC 8705 Colesville Rd. Suite 249 Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA

[@arturoBbrito]

Old school” service and support”. What happened to sustainment. 😅

[@rocko7711]

🇺🇸

[@spencerjoplin2885]

That 3AM phone call will go to voice mail: you’ll be sleeping through WW3.

[@markmacpherson9142]

I would love to see a video on how you know what you can and can’t post on your videos. Love watching your videos keep up the good work

[@erichammond9308]

Incorrect Sir. Did you forget that a Coast Guard LEDET team fired upon a freighter days before the opening of the air war?

[@solastorm7]

this video was planned more thoroughly than the whole russian special military operation!

[@Lord_Lambert]

I've had spontaneous diahhrea more thoroughly planned than the "SMO"

[@lexd7159]

love this comment, we could safely assume that either they were very bad at planning or they didn’t plan it at all 🤣🤣🤣

[@IAmTheAce5]

…not a high bar…

[@neodio219]

There was a bar, Comrade? Intelligence never told me. 😅

[@viktorreiter8811]

well, Ryan definitely showcased more expertise in air assaults than anyone who was involved in the hostomel vdv attack :D

[@patrickcollins749]

I am a Rakkasan. I am also a former Marine. The combat tours I did with the Rakkasans convinced me that I was in an Elite unit. That is the mentality and the results we achieved support this.

[@benjaminwatson7]

First Rakk!

[@mustafayldrm3449]

I have not fully understood if BCT's under the division are airmobile on their own. On the battle order they are denoted with "v" so they are airmobile but are they using the helicopters in the aviation brigade for moving, or they have separate blackhawks and chinooks? If they have their own vehicles, for what 38 blackhawks and 24 chinooks in the aviation brigade are used for? Can you explain pls.

[@morsmeastro9435]

I was a Rakkasan as well. I want to tell yall im glad yall made it back brothers. Did you guys know that there is a saying Among the brass for us, I mean well there was? It went like this; "If there is a problem, say a pray for the enemy, then send the Rakkasans."

[@Ronin____5000]

101% agreed. Some of the best Rakks I served with were former Marines. Funny thing abour our unit, we had quite a hodgepodge of soldiers making up our unit. We had former Rangers, Marines, a few complainy 82nd guys, some really awesome 173rd guys, a lot of legs, a few mech heads, and a lot of guys who never served anywhere else. We had something in the 101st and in the 187th that no one else had in any other unit I served with. 'Til we form again...

[@chuckyxii10]

@@mustafayldrm3449 They use CAB assets to move, CABs for Light infantry are larger than others to accommodate the higher tempo of movement.

[@oleran4569]

You have a great gift of communication Ryan. That gift is obviously coupled with excellent work ethic, dedication to reality and love of country. You are the right man for many jobs.

[@RyanMcBethProgramming]

I really appreciate you saying that

[@DanielsPolitics1]

Communication is so much the hardest part of so many jobs.

[@Notmeeeeeee69]

⁠@@RyanMcBethProgrammingMy father was a newspaper editor and is currently a senior magazine editor and his father was Syracuse associate professor of Journalism, Hartford Courant editor and publisher, and an army veteran during WW2. You absolutely have a knack for communication in particular for “translating” military speak to civilians. Absolutely fantastic work.

[@poppyrider5541]

It's the gift of the gab, mate. Most of 'em have it.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

​@@RyanMcBethProgramming I definitely second the compliment😊

[@chrisbrodhagen3658]

101st is from the 101st Wisconsin volunteers that brought a bald eagle into combat as their standard in the civil war. The named him "Old Abe".

[@darylmorning]

Close! The 101st Infantry was a paper division for WWI out of Milwaukee, WI that used the symbols from earlier Wisconsin regiments. Black from the "Damned Black Hats"of the Iron Brigade of the West (2nd, 6th, and 7th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry( with the 19th Indiana and later the 24th Michigan)) and the "War Eagle" Old Abe, carried into battle by the 8th WVI. During the amalgamation of units post-Civil War these Regiments were Consolidated into 4 regiments by the Spanish- American War. These were again consolidated into the 127th and 128th Infantry Regiments of the 32nd Infantry Division which is now the 32nd Infantry Brigade of the Wisconsin National Guard. I believe Old Abe herself would be honored at the use of her image on the 101st Airborne patch. Forward!

[@halohasawaken6793]

My grandfather fought in the Vietnam war under the 101st. Born and raised in Milwaukee Wisconsin!

[@drenk7]

As a First Calvary Red Leg of 52 years ago. I remember slinging guns below Chinooks . I even saw to two Chinooks sling load a single gun working together. I doubt that’s done any more. As you mentioned Ryan any time the turbine is running your consuming fuel. This is critical in the planning stage. A very well done report.

[@RyanMcBethProgramming]

Thank you

[@markmitchell457]

Thanks to those maintainers, they might be using those same Chinook helicopters you were.

[@alexwalker2582]

Yeah, I think the army retired most of their towed artillery that require more than one Chinook to lift (what's left is probably in storage awaiting the order to be decommissioned). All the heavier artillery goes on a plane or a boat.

[@SuiLagadema]

This brought back so many memories from my service in the Chilean army. I was a "paratrooper" (umbrella term here for air assault troops) and we were mostly attached to special forces units, we were the chaperones, making sure the sneaky boys could do their thing w/o worrying about holding a perimeter because that was our job and hile shit, there was a rumor going around back then that some of our pilots were trained by the Nightstalkers (which wouldn't surprise me, our army tends to train alongside US troops). If you see in Black Hawk Down killer eggs flying 3ft off the ground, I called it cinematic liberty on the movie... til I flew 3ft off the ground. Those were the best years I had in the army and your brief about the mission took me back to being in a tent with all my kit, ready to dust-off whenever the order came. Good times.

[@z0phi3l]

Gracias por tu servicio!

[@chrisburke624]

Former Canadian Forces member here...I hear you on the 'low level flying' thing! I used to think it was just for cool cinematic shots in shows & movies, and figured in real life the flying would be slightly higher - but still well below where we would light up a radar... I then found myself getting ready to deploy to Afghanistan in a place called Wainwright, Alberta, Canada...and holy crap those movies weren't kidding! I remember how puckered up I was (while playing it totally cool on the outside, or so I think) when we were flying towards an LZ, banking from side to side at times, thinking to myself "Man, I hope no farmers put up any fences around here...". The tips of our rotorblades would surely have hit any fences we flew over if we were banking 😳😬🥵 Those were in CH-146 Griffons & my respect for military helicopter pilots skyrocketed after that day!

[@Fatherofheroesandheroines]

As a former member of 101, oh yes I DO know how an Air Assault works! Nice to see this subject on a video!

[@blakmajik1377]

BALLLLLLLSSSSSS

[@ryanward10]

Did he do a reasonable job describing it?

[@TKUA11]

Maybe you can volunteer as a pilot for Ukraine?

[@Fatherofheroesandheroines]

Youve got to have big.....@@blakmajik1377

[@Fatherofheroesandheroines]

@@TKUA11im not a pilot i was a regular soldier

[@controlfreak4ya]

My son is a young Air Assault soldier in the 101st Recon Platoon, I make him watch all of Ryan’s videos, usually on FaceTime and then we discuss. My hope is that Ryan’s job of leading and training young soldiers NEVER come to an end. I believe that so many soldiers and current leaders can, and do, learn something with each one of Ryan’s videos making him still integral to the Army’s mission. Thank you Ryan. Your hard work , knowledge and willingness is MUCH appreciated. The knowledge in these videos is what keeps our troops alive, our military lethal and success of the mission inevitable.

[@stevewhite3424]

Thank your son for me.! Hope.his life is never wasted like I saw so often in Vietnam! #22ADAY

[@cxjeter]

Aint no Recons in the army they are scouts

[@andymiller6661]

The 101st has more than 1 recon platoon.

[@Ronin____5000]

He's in good hands, sir. Your boy is serving along side real bad a$$ apex dudes who will stop at nothing to complete the mission and bring your man home.

[@Ghatbkk]

Those of us who have served in the 101st anytime since the late 70s knows that what the 101st does is unique and far more capable in terms of extended air assault operations and direct air assault operations than anyone else except maybe the 160th SOAR.

[@TKUA11]

That 70s show.

[@gregorybooker5469]

To even question the ability of U.S. Air Assault is dumb, to even compare Russian Air Assault operations to the U.S. Army is ridiculous 😂

[@anthonykaiser974]

160th takes rotary wing aviation to a whole different level. They will fly NOE (treetop level) 300+ NM at night in NVGs, refuel en route, get a FRAGO to their target while in the air, and hit it +/- 30 seconds.

[@Ghatbkk]

@@anthonykaiser974 You do know that the 160th started as a aviation battalion in the 101st, right?

[@anthonykaiser974]

@@Ghatbkk I am well aware of the origins of 160th SOAR (A). In a former job, I worked with their training shop. They used to fly up to Camp Atterbury where they could do dual door gunnery. We named the range "Rg 160" for obvious reasons. Incidentally, I was curious just how much ground it takes to do dual 7.62 door gunnery. It just barely fits inside the installation boundaries north-south with no waivers. There are countries in Europe that you couldn't do it, particularly Liechtenstein, if you didn't have mountains to keep the bullets within the territory.

[@deek1081]

Honey wake up the air assault video just dropped

[@Cheeseye1590]

After like 87 years

[@Cheeseye1590]

Probably gonna be good though

[@DanielsPolitics1]

The double space after “assault” made me read that as “Honey, wake up the air assault, because the video just landed”. Very different vibe, waking up and crashing out the 101st Airborne, or 16 Air Assault Brigade, because of a video.

[@deek1081]

@@DanielsPolitics1 It was not intentional.

[@thomassecurename3152]

My grandson is at Ft. Campbell. Finished Ft. Ruckers in January to PCS. Thanks Ryan for this video to help me understand his training and challenges. Now me going for a Bunker Branding CHALK T-shirt. Tom.

[@joshpointoh]

I was born on Ft. Campbell and grew up there. The amount of pride they take in the 101st is immense. It's a weapon that no one else can copy and no one could adequately deal with

[@sfurules]

Nearly a century of fighting in and through hell will make a group coalesce pretty well

[@kenb4426]

I wish I could credit who said this but whenever I hear about the importance of courage in any situation the statement "Courage is not the absence of fear, but the understanding that there are some things more important than fear" comes to mind. I am sure these soldiers take that sentiment to a whole other level on a regular basis. Watched from start to finish. Thanks Ryan.

[@abhishekrao1525]

The quote was said by FDR.

[@RobFomenko]

I will forever be grateful to the United States army for giving me lots of opportunities to learn what that actually means.

[@orterves]

I like "Courage is not being unafraid, it's being afraid and doing it anyway"

[@sambojinbojin-sam6550]

Us Aussies are doing a bit of rethinking of our force composition, possibly making an air assault brigade (alongside our amphibious, armoured and general/support brigades), so it's really nice to see a video like this.

[@lmandrakepoe]

Thanks! I want to add: You're a great help to those of us who are trying to navigate the military intricacies. Keep up the good work. Please.

[@Celebmacil]

Rakkasan here, I served as a medic with C-3/187 in the early 90's. It was awesome to take a ride along with you and the current day Rakkasans on another air assault mission, Ryan! Shame you didn't have a chance to run with the Iron Rakkasans, but still, super cool to see this. And hey, I even saw some of the guys from my ORANG unit, the 41st Infantry Brigade in the mixed footage you used in places. All in all, a great and informative video. Top notch, man. Top notch.

[@jonlugo5383]

Choppin ain’t stoppin!

[@richmonksgtr]

Lt. Col. David Petraeus was my battalion commander in the Rakkasans. Best officer I’ve ever seen. Best unit I was ever in. You are correct. Discipline and unit pride there are second to none.

[@Fractured_Unity]

He was disciplined for racial discrimination of a black officer, plus I’ve heard horror stories about the incompetence of the officer corps in the Rakkasans. It’s all yes men and drunks these days thanks to him and his ilk. Not exactly a stand up guy.

[@jacquesstrapp3219]

@@Fractured_Unity What do you know about serving in an Air Assault unit?

[@JohnDorian-j7x]

Sounds like Gerasimov and his ilk@@Fractured_Unity

[@Flintlock1972]

What are your thoughts on CSM Donald Purdy? Everyone talks about Petraeus but I never see anyone make a comment about one of the best Infantry CSMs in the late 20th century.

[@Fractured_Unity]

@@jacquesstrapp3219 I’ve never served, but I personally know people who served under their command. I’m also well aware of the general opinion held by enlisted personnel that the officer corps of the entire military is getting progressively worse, and data backs this up. The average officer iq is worse than it’s ever been, that’s pretty telling.

[@djoel8368]

I was in the 326th/801st MSB forward area surgical team from 91 to 95. I graduated The Air Assault School in March of 92. We were an air mobile squad that would go to stabilize critically wounded soldiers for transport back to the aid station and ultimately to a hospital for proper surgery.

[@andsoitgoes631]

Even the sponsorship portion of the video was extremely well done. Not only an extraordinary youtube journalist, an extraordinary journalist in every sense of the word!

[@DanielsPolitics1]

The problem with being a veteran who goes self employed is that, as a veteran, you think it is both normal and acceptable to take a large chunk of your pay in the form of somewhere to sleep. End result: the mattress was part of his fee.

[@ratwynd]

Hope he sleeps well on it. It is deserved.

[@davekrab3363]

😅 🇦🇺✌️

[@martinoamello3017]

Comfy bed is quite the luxury. I've slept on what seemed like beds of nails and concrete more than I like to remember. My wife thinks of my sleeping habits as a form of insanity..😂

[@elizabethclaiborne6461]

Given what a decent mattress costs, not unreasonable. Plenty of well established KZbinrs have mattress deals. They appear to be long term and pretty sweet, so great that Ryan got one.

[@kitmarshall4084]

i've been out for about 20 years and the way Ryan presented his Army Training gave me flash back, when i was a young E-5 giving training on OE-254 and SINCGARS radio... i feel like the way Army present it's training is almost universal.

[@SlavicCelery]

I know some people may not fully grasp the absolute insanity of a gun raid. But, OMG..... that's incredible. You've got to keep your time on ground to an absolute minimum for counter battery fire. Like, holy moly, the sheer logistics of that are incredible. Guns, ammo, rigging up sighting materials (which is probably less with GPS guided shells... but still existent), people, fuel, targets and timelines. Holy crap. Awesome stuff.

[@F4weasel]

Saw this video on my feed and decided to check it out! I’m a Rakkasans and was out there for OLE III. The artillery footage at the beginning was my battery and was extremely cool to see in your video! Keep the videos coming!

[@RyanMcBethProgramming]

You did a fine job.

[@maristheone3237]

This video is incredible. I started out watching your short videos following the war in Gaza, and since then I have become much more interested in military logistics, planning, and technology. As a young man who is still deciding how to move forward with my life, videos like this are amazing to help me get a feel for how things operate in military settings, and allow me to better understand the books I am reading that are written for an already knowledgeable audience. ❤

[@gingerfurrdjedi6211]

Holy cow!! I didn't know that you were the one filming some of that training!! I thought it was someone from the units public relations department or something!! That was really good footage Sergeant, you're definitely being your worst critic here, it's really good footage!! Filming at night especially with night vision while trying to keep up with Rakkasans is a huge undertaking and you did it!! RAKKASANS!!

[@RyanMcBethProgramming]

Some was the PAO. Some was me.

[@gingerfurrdjedi6211]

@@RyanMcBethProgramming Still, you've really outdone yourself with this video.. I'm really hoping to one day see you doing more training missions. I think it would be really cool if they (DOD) were able to allow you to get hands on with some more high speed training! I love what you do Sergeant, there are many leaders that I looked up to during my service, you remind me of them and I would have loved to have served with you.

[@RyanMcBethProgramming]

@@gingerfurrdjedi6211 it’s also my hope that I can go to Romania with 3/187 at least for a little while. We’ll see.

[@evantalbott8602]

Graduating warrant school this week then heading to flight school after. What an incredible video thank you for the perspective and information!

[@RyanMcBethProgramming]

Congratulations!

[@ThePbird1]

When I was at Ft. Bragg in the 1970s the 187th Regimental Combat team had the slogan Rockesan” never heard it applied to anyone else.

[@charlesdavenport2543]

Watching a Class III, Class V platoon work is like watching a ballet. Man they're good.

[@jonthinks6238]

After all objectives are met, then Class VI.

[@prinz10ga]

Ryan, Sir….im a 78 year old Vietnam Vet. I was in the war from 1967-69. I was a CH47 Chinook Flight Engineer, with the Phu Loi 242nd Black Cats. 1st Aviation Battalion, 1 st Infantry Division…..all of that said, I want to thank you deeply for the great shoutout you included about the service members that are the maintainers and operators of Amy Aviation. Sadly, that isn’t very common to hear.. if a person was not a pilot…..you’re a ‘nothing’. The Chinooks of today are so extremely advanced, to what I maintained, that’s a great thing that I’m eager to always learn about. Today’s warriors are so advanced compared to what my generation knew. Thank you again for your Service, continued military technology education and appreciation for us enlisted service members.

[@XJapa1n09]

The crazy part is how much more there is to all this than Ryan could fit in, such as integration with the Air Force and so much more. It’s a capability that people have no idea how to deal with, and I’m glad for that. Nice video, Ryan ❤️🙏🏼

[@kevincody8391]

You left out the Navy; my Dad called in Naval bombardments @ Hue, coastal city, Tet offensive '68. Fire Supp Coordinator w 1st Cav. situation @ Khe Sanh so desperate rules for B-52s dropping dumb bombs fr 30,000 ft shrank fr not within 2.5 miles of friendlies to 1.5 miles. Pops attended basic officer training @ Ft Sill in '57, doubt they had any concept of attack helicopters as close tactical support then. advanced training @ Benning '63/64 airmobile concept in early stages.

[@oscar.esteves]

This is definitely some high quality content!

[@mabutoo]

That was an awesome explanation of the Air Assault mission. I loved serving with the 101st.

[@theromanorder]

Notes: the ability to send forces anywhere with air mobility with air superiority alows for quick evacs, reinforcements with troops and light vehicles or artillery, or strikes with missles, or even more surplys under the hellecopeter. This also alows to quickly move forces up to the front or i to the enemy territory.. And even artillery raids of using night vision, settings up guns and lunching light vehicles and troops for protection then using the artillery and helicopter guns to attack then get out or dig in, and if you can sustain this strength including moving engineers and surplys you can maintain fights for longer.. A compony has 10 transport helecopers, a platoon of 5 with 10 pilots/maintaners . Each hellecopeter can carry surplysz troops or artillery/light vehicles.. so each hellecopeter has something to carry thats a part of the attack The warent officers are the best pilots.. knowing every part of there aircraft.. able to handle all emergencys and knows things like how moonlight can make you more visible and how to acount for wind ect The air support set up farps.. front line refueling stastions, and decide when and what unit should send troops to where, and if they should support with fire, or go get more reinforcements or fuel, or prepare for a casevac, They must also plan there landing zones to be prepared for the worst, wnd plan landing zones that are exspected to take fire, or not, Before troops are in helecopers carrying scoutss will make fake landings a few times at possible spots to trick thr enemy to thinking theres an attack and to get a look at the immediate potential landing zones.. then eventually drop some off at some zones to get better looks and help plan for thr future grown asult then are retrieved.. You can't use drones because they can't last as long as the scouts.. Then path finders decide which landing zoness to use.. and were taking into account useable geography and the safest place for the attack force, you must also orgonize which helcopers land first as not all can at once.. Dismounting from one side takes longest and is the biggest chock point but means all your fire power is ready, but from both sides means only hafe is available at first but its quicker so the hellecopeter can leave and take less damage, also givea you more area cover even if its weaker You must also plan for prisoners, and standerd planing like targets, likely civilan targets... enemy targets, ect

[@petesheppard1709]

Rivalry aside, one thing that Marines and Airborne have in common is that if things go sideways, there is no path of retreat. A comparison of Marine and Army helo ops would be enlightening. The Marines invented artillery raids in the Korean War with portable rocket launchers, and still embrace vertical envelopment as central to amphibious warfare. In the assault you covered, I would see an artillery strike on the AAA position as a good alternative to risking helos. GREAT VIDEO--Thanks!

[@michaelrollins806]

My younger brother was in the 101st air assault and I am very proud of him for being part of this elite unit

[@hefeibao]

15:14 and 15:20 check out the pony tails. Never saw that in regular Army back in the 80s/90s, but as a 67V (OH-58) I did see that in the Guard. Was a shock coming from 11B. Anyway...what a fantastic video. Excellent information presented concisely and clearly. The Opord takes me back. Thanks for the nostalgia on that...

[@1SierraSix]

Nice report. I was with the Rakassans in 1973 thru 1977. while on jump status which ceased in April 1974 and then went Air Assault. Even with 22 years as 11B, I always considered Rakassans as my home and the best unit in the Army. BTW, I liked the first shirt in your video. You make 11 series look good.

[@ramonpunsalang3397]

Can't wait to see how the 101st integrates the V-280 Valor and it's unique capabilities into their operations Great video

[@TheDasHatti]

Danke!

[@randynovick7972]

Hooboy, this was really great! It put a bunch of sorta odd-shaped pieces of this stuff together into something mostly understandable. Thanks.

[@edv8174]

Saw your post about being demonitized. I'll check out substack but for now, thanks for your hard work. Always look forward to a new Ryan McBeth video

[@christianceol3868]

Great video, as always. It was a pleasure meeting you at FCKY this Summer. I was the awe stricken cadet who introduced himself in the hangar at the CAB. You are the same exact person in front of and behind the camera. I hope to see you again some day. Keep up the great work. Swing down here to Blacksburg (Virginia Tech) when you get the chance, the beer scene is surprisingly good. Go Hokies, Go Army!

[@mahobayray]

Wow! Very well researched and presented, Ryan! Every soldier in the 101st should view this at least once. My last assignment was as XO for HHC, 3rd Bde. Peter Dawkin's brigade. Now there's a subject for a future biographical video!

[@harrisonharry15]

Ryan, I am generally interested in military informational videos, but recently, I have found them dry and hard to pay attention to. When I see a new video from your channel, however, I am captivated and know that you are doing your best to represent the information in a clear, concise, and most important of all, truthful manner. Thank you for the quality that you put in your videos, and keep up the good work! P.S. Your coverage of the Russian misinformation campaigns has been a breath of fresh air and I am grateful that someone is fighting back against them.

[@CarlosRodriguez-dd4sb]

I'm looking forward to your continued success Ryan. That 1MM plaque will come in no time.

[@kalbs89]

I haven’t heard a brief like that in over 40 years, thanks for the flashback Ryan

[@jbaum8804]

I was a Radar troop (on a/c avionics) in the 314 AMS out of LRAFB in the early 80’s; we supported the 101st. You’ve heard the story about the Airman that found a scorpion in his tent ? He called the front desk to find out what that tent’s doing in his room. 101st troops loved us as they jumped from our C-130s

[@rockliberty7555]

Thanks!

[@RyanMcBethProgramming]

That’s really kind of you

[@seheshehoohlo3420]

Yeah, not only do you have A Class content and execution, you seem like a genuinely great guy! Long life to you Man!

[@garrettwagner5270]

Good stuff here sir. I don't know of anyone else doing content like this.

[@OLDSOLDIER6]

1) Air assault, Air assault, not my fault 2) That eagle is screaming "Help!" 3) "Jump boots?" Great channel.

[@glueguzzler9548]

Amazing work as always Ryan! Do you have any plans on embedding with the 75th Rangers? I think we'd all love to learn more about the Army's legends

[@RyanMcBethProgramming]

If they let me

[@sematic1]

Awesome video! thank you Ryan and all of the 101st Airborne

[@stephenbritton9297]

So the "Screaming Eagle" is actually a representation of "Old Abe" a real life eagle and mascot of the 8th WI Vol. Infantry Regiment of the Civil War. Which makes it kind of ironic that the Rakkasans would come to blows with the 32nd brigade (WI NG) during a training exercise a few years ago.

[@Ericisnotachannel]

So I have to say Warrant Officer pilots is the one thing that army aviation does better than any other branch in regards to aviation. Though in the Marines you can sign up to be a Crew Chief, but you're a power plants/flightline/powerline mechanic first and aircrew second. "Homegrown" aerial observers also exist but any maintainer applying has to obtain Plane Captain certification (being able to inspect the aircraft is safe for flight) before being allowed to fly.

[@lexd7159]

Thanks

[@lexd7159]

I love your content and your professionalism keep doing it💪🏻

[@ott1887]

C co 1/503rd Mortar Platoon(Transitioned from 1/23rd), 86-87, Camp Hovey, Korea, rotated to the DMZ, we were essentially Airmobile/Assault/Light(Mountain specific) as it was, Alot of cadre went to Schofield barracks or Je Judo Rappeling schools

[@travelingman4722]

3 thumbs up on this presentation. Very thorough and informative.

[@kingofwishfulthinking2490]

Great video! This reminds me of Tom Clancy and the books he would put out about specialized divisions in the US military. Airborne, Armored Cav, Submarines etc. It’s wonderful to have a channel with pride in the capabilities of our great military

[@anonymousm9113]

3rd Brigade, 101st was a special place to serve, especially 3/187. I reported in early 2002, when the Brigade was one of the first in Afghanistan. I missed that deployment, but six months after they returned, we were all in Kuwait staging for the Invasion. I left 3/187 in 2004, but I will say that there was a high level of pride and esprit de corps during my time there. We were expected to know the unit's history, including that 3/187 was the highest decorated Airborne-designated unit in the Army. When I reported as an E-1, we wore five awards of the Presidential Unit Citation-Army (PUC), a Valorous Unit Award (VUA), two Meritorious Unit Commendations (MUC), and an Army Superior Unit Award (ASUA) as temporary decorations. The battalion also had a Navy PUC, Philippine PUC, and Korean PUC. In 2003, we added another PUC and a MUC, and over the years since I left there were a number of other unit awards added. One thing I was always told was that there are a handful of battalions in the Army that officers pre-selected for service in 75th Ranger Regiment are sent to, 3/187 being one of them. Of course, officers in 75th RGR need previous leadership time, and sure enough, a lot of our Lieutenants left for 75th Ranger after we returned from Iraq. One was a freakish runner (something like a 9-minute 2-mile-run time), and when I was on recruiting duty years later, sure enough, that former 2LT I knew was a MAJ in 75th RGR and was pictured in the desk calendars we handed out. I've had 1SGs call 3/187 a "Baby Ranger Battalion", and when CSM Hardy, a career Ranger, spent a couple of years in the 101st waiting for a position to open in Regiment, he served as an OPs SGM for a few months before taking over as CSM for the Iron Rakkasans. Another seemingly close relationship between units and personnel assignments is between the Rakkasans and the 3rd US Infantry Regiment "The Old Guard" (TOG). COL Joe Buche had been a CPT in 3/187 during the Gulf War before taking over a company in TOG. He assumed command of 3/187 in 2003, then took over as the TOG Regimental Commander (RCO) in 2007. Also, Joseph B. Conmy (the building where most DA Retirements take place on Fort Myer is named after him) commanded 3rd BDE, 101st during the Battle of Dong Ap Bia (Hamburger Hill), and had also been a TOG RCO. The 101st is truly unique in its capabilities. I used to urge Soldiers to attend Air Assault School if they had the chance to go to one school. During my first TOG tour, Air Assault and Airborne were fairly easy to get, but I'd tell the Soldiers that AASLT is the more useful, UNLESS they were planning to go to an Airborne unit. Air movement operational planning, sling load operations, and even the rappelling phase are all useful, and the physical requirements are a bit more stringent, with the obstacle course and ruck marches. I never went back to the 101st. I loved my time there, but as a Rakkasan I'd have wanted to go back to 3/187. Considering the Army Regimental System was essentially done away with, I might have ended up in another brigade entirely. Everyone knows about Regimental affiliation, but few know that until the early 2010s there was a regulation behind it. Essentially, a Soldier could go to Fort Campbell in the 1970s and be assigned to 3/187, PCS to Panama and got to 1/187, then return to Campbell with a guarantee of going back to 3/187. The grass is always greener and the best units are the one you're going to and the one you just left. I knew a repeat assignment would be disappointing, and this proved true during my second TOG tour.

[@kevincody8391]

Nice, to read fr someone not douching on entire officer corp. and interesting to read how the Army fast tracks those they see w potential for higher. My Dad had an interesting friend; back when Army published promotion list in order of preference Jan 2 to Dec 31st, back in '71. first on list to BG, a good indicator of likely promotion to 3 or 4 stars, declined. Nearly every assignment after Pentagon; I just want to be w troops, current and future 4 stars begging him to reconsider. his brother a minor legend before & after. Bn XO, CO KIA in action, takes over, more than temporary. the Pentagon gets after Div GG repeatedly w you can't have a Major running a Bn, the two stars' reply is 'he's the best damn Bn CO I've got', impasse for months. after career retired to Colorado w nickname Ski, just knock on his door w a sleeping bag & welcome. a Lot of PTSD stress reduction, w probably a fair amount of alcohol. Ski running a 10k in Berlin, a young Lt passes him early w 'i heard you had a rough night', Ski passes @ 8.5k, the remainder uphill, age 38 w 'i'll see you at the top'. and Ski was a big fella, not built like a long distance runner. offensive lineman w a team ranked 7th & 11th nationally

[@richardotheshort5277]

Good job Ryan. Your explanation of all aspects of the 101st's operations and MTO&E and your operations order was very well executed. Rakkasan!

[@jeffjones3575]

It’s finally out!

[@jonathancarroll1283]

Courage to step into the night where the monsters lurk and be braver than the monsters. That was SO poetic, Ryan. It really touched my soul.

[@Shadinsb]

Air Assault school was a blast. Repelling out of Hueys is great fun but the best part was riding around in Blackhawks. You just have no idea how powerful they are until you experience it. This was at Ft Rucker, which might be history now. We were under the 101st in Iraq, so that's my combat patch. Excellent work on this video!

[@mattkelly2004]

Being from KY, the bluegrass state I have always had a great admiration for these guys! and the older I get the deeper and broader that admiration gets. These guys are truly some of America's greatest and bravest.

[@wompa70]

I spent the last three of my ten years at Campbell. I was in 311th MI BN. We operated a brand new system, Trojan Spirit. We were the first team to sling load it in the field. Two shelter carrying humvees each with a different load balance. One regular trailer mounted generator and a large satellite dish on the other trailer. First mission ended up with every light in the maintenance shelter busted. And that’s why we train.

[@MaineMan2023]

Fabulous deep dive Ryan! You really make some of the best content on YT and this was one of your best ever! What a great service you perform by covering how different units contribute to American readiness and tactical and strategic might!

[@jordanvangundy975]

This is irrelevant to your point, but those apaches fired the first shots of the gulf war to land. The first shots fired were by the navy when they launched a bunch of tomahawks that landed after the apaches took out those radar sites.

[@ss0lid]

It is also claimed that Apaches fired the first shots that reached their target and the Air Force B-52 got the honor of firing the first shots whey they launched their AGM-86C's above the Saudi-Arabia.

[@toddchiles4272]

One of the best videos on air assault I have seen , did 7 years with the Screaming Eagles as a crew chief back then 67T 2F was the mos. Thank you

[@lordy1952]

I'm pretty sure the russian when invading kiev didn't do this kind of planning

[@RechargeableLithium]

They didn't try to assault Kiev, they tried to assault Kyiv. Their plan was to have airborne capture the big runway at Hostomel and wait for the IL-76s to bring in thr equipment. Ukrainian troops, however, started downing the helos on the way in and wiped out the troops that got to the ground...then they cratered the runway. Look for Operator Starsky's 'Hostomel one year later' vid - he was one of the defenders.

[@506thparatrooper]

Thanks for this detailed and informed discussion. The highlight of my 29 years as an American Soldier, was my 4 years in the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division! Let Valor not Fail! Rakkasan! Air Assault!

[@mr_brass_monkey]

all I saw my tax dollars hasn't gone far enough we aren't firing mortars from chinooks

[@mr_brass_monkey]

the super chinenook it's just 2 chinenooks with a platform between them with zip lines and ladders to the lower platform and because America let's have tows

[@robertschiavone5095]

I was stationed at Ft Hood Tx between late 1980 to Aug 1982. 1/5 1st Calvary. We took a lot of chopper rides. Love this video.

[@drmarkintexas-400]

🏆🤗🙏🇺🇲🎖️ Thank you for sharing

[@taylorsmith4758]

Nice job! It's obvious that you put a lot of work into this.

[@nd15music73]

The thing about air assault is just before you land and get off the helicopter, as you fly in you recognise all the enemies who will be in the most difficult positions once you are on foot, and as the helicopter goes in you quickly shoot them all with your gun from the flying helicopter, and then storm the target building. I've done hundreds of insertions from little birds and black hawks growing up laying playing Delta Force: Black Hawk Down.

[@jswjr6001]

That is a video gameism.....

[@christopherlarsen7788]

3-187 INF Rakkasan is my alma mater and regimental affiliation. RAKKASAN! Just a fantastic, storied regiment in arguably the best Infantry division in US history, the 101st Air Assault. I've never felt particular pride of being a veteran of the US Army. It was a job that needed to be done. I was there to do it. But I'm fiercely proud of the regiments I've served in. The Rakkasans stand tallest of those regiments. Giants.

[@quadcannon]

Speaking as someone who has lived on Zama Base in Japan, it's a bit of a cultural faux pas that the 3-187th use the Torii Gate as a symbol. The gate itself is meant to represent the division, or boundary, between holy ground and normal ground. Entering through the torii gate is to enter a shrine and the holy grounds that it has within it's compound. It is also used to mark the entrances to most cemeteries in Japan. As such...you can maybe get an inkling for why it might be offensive to some Japanese people (especially older ones) when they see an US service member walking around with a Torii gate on their arm patches. Great video as usual, Ryan! Looking forward to more.

[@jonathancarroll1283]

What a motivating explanation of the Rakkasans! Thanks for sharing that, Ryan.

[@0331FranklinebHolt]

I hope I am not alone, but who else yelled "Air Assault" even if only once. It is so motivating to watch your videos. I am a new subscriber so I am binge watching to catch up. Stay Safe. Semper Fidelis.

[@andymiller6661]

No one. There's no need to yell that while watching a video

[@mikecarney4448]

This is one of your best videos. Appreciate your work and the knowledge you spread about the Military. Semper Fi

[@wlabruna]

Great video! I served in A 1-187 from 2003 - 2007. Rakkasan!

[@kelsaeladdie]

Hey, great video. I really appreciate your emotion and directness. Having been in a small helicopter ONCE in my life I likened it to being on a pedal bike up in the air… light, no protection and plenty of vibration. Again, thanks. 👍👍

[@hopper1415]

man, 1 of your best if not your best video yet. Keep up the great work.

[@armyveteran101st]

Great video! I served with the 101st Airborne at Fort Campbell for two years when I was on Army active duty, and I enjoyed the hell out of this video… Thank you, and AIR ASSAULT! 🇺🇸

[@nortiusmaximus1789]

101st Abn (Air Assault) & FT Campbell KY Soldier of the Year 1978 here. Excellent presentation, Ryan, as is ALL of your work! SO very much has changed, has grown and matured in Air Assault in the 45 years since I moved on, but COURAGE, I see, remains at the core of all things. To you I call out, "Currahee!" and Ryan, you would answer "Air Assault!" And the same to all the Vets, new and old, this former Soldier of the 101st Abn, calls out a 1/506th CURRAHEE! Greeting!

[@Ghatbkk]

Above the Rest!!

[@markewald6995]

You never fail to inform me of something new, @RyanMacBethProgramming. Excellent video primer on air assault operations. Go, 101st and the Rakkasans!

[@frankhinkle5772]

Thanks, that was awesome. That "Gun Raid" is very impressive! They are even better than advertised.

[@elizabethclaiborne6461]

I’m pure civilian - and this content is why I watch. I had zero idea of how or why the military did things until Ryan McBeth showed up to explain. I’ve read that armies operate on a framework of logistics, and this video is a super demonstration of that, it’s like packing for Mars and you have to take everything and have back up plans. Good job! First rate content.

[@lawngnome2415]

BEST DAY EVER!! seeing my footage in one of my favorite youtubers videos! It may have only been one shot but damnit that's awesome!Hell yea! Keep up the good work!!!!

[@SirTickleTots]

My Dad and my Brother both served in the Rakkasans. Thanks for making this awesome video

[@jaredlang9028]

⛩️Rakkasan!! ⛩️. Thanks for putting my old unit in your video. Very informative for the civilians on here. And YES, we tag Tori's EVERYWHERE we go. Even once we're civilians LOL⛩️.

[@JDele]

This is a GREAT video! I spent 15 of 22 years in the 101 Artillery supporting either 2nd or 3rd Brigade, I was in FOB Cobra in Desert Storm and 3 X OIF rotations with the Rakkasans. I miss those days... I purposely asked to go back to Ft Campbell every time they PCS''d out of there. If I was going to war, I wouldn't want to do it with any other unit, plus you couldn't pay me to stay in the motor pool in Mech units.. Ill take the digging and ruck marches every day of the week lol!

[@thomasgates9815]

This is in between the 3rd or 5th time I watched this video since it came out and it never gets old. Just such great content! Thx Ryan for your hard work and service

[@cbrooksusmc]

Marines call the slinging “Helicopter support teams” it’s preformed by 0481 landing support specialists. Those Marines wear red patches on their trousers and cover. It was so much fun! Especially the V22 Osprey HSTs

[@billdunson4174]

Hey Top, I finished my service with the NG, as a 11B I had access to a huge training area, my supply Sergent had a trash bag full of blanks, I would get my squad together on a off drill weekend and spend a day out patrolling, doing weapons training, and so fourth, and land nav, map and compass

[@allencummins9297]

Your dedication to the subject is laudable

[@mikewhiskey5455]

It was such a great opportunity and McBeth made the most of it. Excellent explanation and even great storytelling. I went from Ft. Bragg to go through Air Assault School in 79. I was glad to meet exceptional soldiers and learn about their formidable capability. Loved watching this. 🙂

[@BeantownYid86]

Thank you for this video. It’s the most well informed video of what the 101st does on a daily basis. My time there as a 13B (Cannon crewmember) between 2012-2015 was exactly as you described. You get to the unit and it’s demanded that you pass Air assault school asap. The night operations are constant, which means constant training with little to no sleep. 2/320 Balls of the Eagle, Air Assault!