FEBRUARY 26, 2024 – The 3rd Infantry Division and the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry, “Rakkasans,” 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) have served together during historic periods before. Today, they’re forging a new chapter in each unit’s storied history serving together in Europe under the 3rd Infantry Division-led Task Force Marne.
From the mountainous terrain of Korea during Operation Courageous in 1951 to the critical battles of the Iraq War in 2007, to deterring aggression on NATO’s eastern flank in Europe today, these units have faced adversity, honed their skills, and cooperated to etch their mark in history together.
“It’s truly an honor and humbling to once again be teamed up with the Rakkasans on foreign soil, especially given the strategic importance of our efforts towards strengthening Estonian warfighting capacity,” said Col. Shawn Bault, the commander of 3rd Infantry Division Artillery (DIVARTY).
Bault, whose command includes units in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, oversees the operations of the Rakkasan Soldiers serving in Estonia. The 3rd Infantry Division headquarters and units comprising Task Force Marne deployed to Europe in 2023, and the overall task force includes units in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
The 3rd Infantry Division and the Rakkasans first crossed paths during Operation Courageous in March 1951 at the height of the Korean War. The operation was part of the larger United Nations effort to expel North Korean and Chinese forces from South Korea. It specifically involved the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team (RCT), part of the 11th Airborne Division, and is often associated with the Rakkasans.
The brigade was commonly referred to as the “Rakkasans,” derived from the Japanese word “rakka,” which roughly translates to “falling umbrella man” in reference to paratroopers. The 3rd Brigade Combat Team is part of the famed 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), which, like the 3rd Infantry Division, is part of the Army’s XVIII Airborne Corps.
Operation Courageous faced challenges due to the difficult terrain in Korea, which included mountainous areas and harsh weather conditions. These factors influenced the tactics and strategies employed during the operation. The operation achieved some success in pushing back enemy forces and achieving its immediate objectives. However, in addition to environmental factors, like many operations during the Korean War, it also faced logistical difficulties, and fierce resistance from North Korean and Chinese forces. Ultimately, the Rakkasans linked up with elements of the 24th Infantry Division and the 58th Armored Field Artillery Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division. The operation demonstrated the adaptability and effectiveness of airborne tactics in challenging combat environments.
Two generations later, in 2007, the 3rd Infantry Division and the Rakkasans once again found themselves working together on a foreign battlefield during a pivotal period of the Iraq War. This period was characterized by a surge in U.S. forces and a fundamental shift in strategy aimed at addressing complex challenges on the ground. Their collaborative efforts, now named ‘Marne Courageous,’ unfolded in the Anbar Province, a region in western Iraq that had become a hotbed of significant insurgent activity.
The surge in U.S. forces during that time had multifaceted objectives — to improve overall security conditions, enhance counter-insurgency efforts, and provide vital support for the development of Iraqi security forces. It was a comprehensive strategy that sought to stabilize the region and empower local authorities.
The 3rd Infantry Division, along with the Rakkasans, played a critical role in this surge. The operation involved direct participation in significant military operations with the support of the 3rd Infantry Division. Operation Marne Courageous, included approximately 450 Rakkasans Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division along with 150 Iraqi Army soldiers, who conducted a major air assault November 16, 2007 into an area west of the Euphrates River. As they navigated the complex and dynamic environment of the Anbar Province, these units faced not only the challenges posed by insurgent forces but also the imperative of working in tandem to achieve objectives.
The ‘Marne Courageous’ effort stands as a testament to these two storied formations fulfilling their mission during a critical juncture in the Iraq War.
In the present day, the 3rd DIVARTY and the Rakkasans are once again working together – this time in the Baltics.
“The Rakkasans have rendezvoused with the 3rd Infantry Division throughout combat history” said Lt. Col. Jared Wagner, commander of the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry. “We are humbled by the opportunity to renew those bonds with 3ID here in the Baltics, on the frontier of freedom. There is no team we’d rather write the next chapter of our legacy with than Task Force Marne.”
Since arriving in the fall, both 3rd Infantry Division and the Rakkasans have been training shoulder-to-shoulder with their NATO Allies across Poland and the Baltics. U.S. units from Task Force Marne and fellow units from other NATO forces across the theater have been building their interoperability, sharing best practices, and standard operating procedures with one another.
In Estonia, the Rakkasans are heavily engaged in collaborative training and service alongside the Estonian Defense Force as part of Task Force Marne where they act as a deterrent against potential aggression from adversaries. The unit’s focus has been on enhancing interoperability through a series of training exercises conducted in partnership with the Estonian Defense Force, NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence Battle Groups serving in the Baltics, and neighboring U.S. units.
“As a former Dog Faced Soldier,” said Col. Ricardo Turner, “I am incredibly honored to have our two storied units working together while forward deployed. Both Task Force Marne and Task Force Rakkasan are known for our tenacity in battle – we complete the most difficult missions in the most chaotic conditions on the harshest terrain. I could not be more proud of our Leader Rakkasan Battalion Soldiers in Estonia who are training in the harshest conditions to prepare for that task should it arise.”
As the next chapter is written in the history of collaboration between the 3rd DIVARTY and the Rakkasans, their journey through time, terrain, and collaboration serves as a reminder of collective strength and readiness for whatever challenges the future may hold.
By Capt. H Howey