History of the 82d Airborne Signal Company / 82d Signal Battalion (Airborne) and its involvement in Cold War Era operations.

On 1 September 1957, the 82d Signal Company was reorganized into the 82d Signal Battalion (Airborne). The new Battalion was composed of Alpha Company (Command Operations), Bravo Company (Forward Operations) and a Headquarters Detachment. The Battalion Commander was LTC Fred D. Hemmrich who assumed command in June of 1957. The 82d Signal Battalion immediately underwent Exercise "All American" which tested the new battle group concept.

On 27 April 1965, the Assault Command Post and 2nd Forward Area Signal Platoon were alerted to deploy with 3rd Brigade to the Dominican Republic. 2LT Arthur Kelly was to lead the Signal Battalion's parachute assault element on the airborne assault; however, the San Isidro Airport was secured by indigenous forces which resulted in the airborne assault becoming an airland operation. Under the direction of the Battalion Commander, LTC Donald Martz, a Division Command Communications Network was quickly established. As the airhead expanded, the majority of the Signal Battalion deployed from Fort Bragg to provide communications support for the operation. Of particular interest was a communications link required between the Division at San Isidro Airport and Marine forces located near the American Embassy in Santo Domingo. The Bravo Company Commander, CPT Leo Childs, ordered 2LT Kelly to establish a VHF radio link. 2LT Kelly, with only four soldiers, established the link while under constant sniper fire. The Battalion also established a VHF radio link between Corps Headquarters and the Naval Destroyer Squadron. A VHF terminal mounted in a hut was airlifted to the deck of one of the destroyer escorts and operated continuously, maintaining communications even while the ship was underway along the coast. On 6 November 1965, the main elements of the Battalion redeployed to Fort Bragg. One platoon from Bravo Company was left behind to support 3rd Brigade during its peace-keeping operations.

Elements of the 82d Signal Battalion arrived in Vietnam on 22 February 1968. These elements were deployed as part of the 3rd Brigade Task Force stationed in Phu Bai. After 22 months of combat the signal troops redeployed to the United States on 11 December 1969.

On 24 October 1983, 22 soldiers from the Signal Battalion were alerted for what first appeared to be an Emergency Readiness Deployment Exercise. The alert turned out not to be an exercise, rather, President Ronald Reagan had directed the rescue of American medical students on the island of Greneda. Operation Urgent Fury was underway. SGT Luketina, a radio operator with Assault Command Post Platoon, Alpha Company, 82d Signal Battalion was assigned to 2nd Brigade. On 27 October, SGT Luketina was seriously wounded at 2nd Brigade Headquarters. He fought valiantly for his life for eight months but finally succumbed to his injuries on 30 June 1984, one day prior to his 24th birthday.

On 20 December 1989, at 0155 hours, over 2,176 paratroopers executed a parachute assault into Panama to protect American lives, assist in neutralizing the Panama Defense Force and to restore democracy to the country. Among these paratroopers were signaleers from the battalion carrying critical single channel tactical satellite radios. Also involved in the assault was the Assault Communications Platoon from Alpha Company, which provided communications support to the Commanding General and his staff, and a VHF multi-channel communications team from Bravo Company.

On 7 August 1990, in the largest American military deployment since the Vietnam War, the Signal Battalion deployed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the command of LTC William H. Bell for Operation Desert Shield/Storm. The battalion assisted in drawing President Bush's "line in the sand" to stop Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's military from further aggression. On the left of the Division was the French 6th Light Armored Division and on the right was the 101st Airborne Division. The battalion provided communications for the Division as they drove deep into Iraq during the 100 hour ground war. To ensure that the Commanding General, MG Johnson, could communicate with the lead brigade, the battalion employed three FM Retransmission vehicles from Alpha Company who leap-frogged in front of the Division. Additionally, the battalion supported the division's advance with two vehicles configured to provide FM to TACSAT capability. A TSC-93 with supporting TTC-41 switch also accompanied the Command General to allow secure telephone communications to XVIII Airborne Corps and Coalition Forces. To ensure communications with the French forces on the left flank, the division attached to them an LNO team with Single Channel TACSAT, an MRC-27 and an SB-3614 Switch from Bravo Company. Following the capitulation of Iraqi Forces, the battalion redeployed to Fort Bragg on 7 March 1991.

In November 1991, the battalion began the most significant reorganization since World War II. Over the next two months, the battalion fielded the Mobile Subscriber Equipment (MSE) and Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS). The 500 plus paratroopers of the battalion converted to new MOSs and all TRI-TAC equipment was turned in. The battalion devised an extensive plan to ensure that while the new equipment was being fielded, the ability remained to deploy within 18 hours of notification and provide communications support to the division. During this period, the battalion added a new company to its MTOE: Charlie Company was activated under the command of CPT Christopher Argo.