The version I heard is that the leadership of 173d already knew that the airfield has been secured before they started gearing up the troops and could simply told them not to put on the parachutes and have the planes land instead. But combat drops look good on resume...
Well that would explain why most of my platoon was kicked off the jump. Including three SQL, 5 TL, most of the privates and both gun teams.
Only jumpers from my platoon: LT, PSG, 1-SQL, 3- TL, and a few Joeys.
The person who took my slot was the Mess SGT, according to the manifest.
All of the bumped jumpers from my platoon, were filled by dirt and from Area Support Command, (ASC),basically post support organization.
And they all jumped and then hopped on the first airland back to Europe. I am sure most did not even have jump orders.
The BDE Commander was shaking hands of paratroopers walking Up the ramp of the aircraft.
He recognized one of the ASC guys and pulled him off the jump. So not sure what drug deals happened but the commander of the airborne operation did not know it was in play.
It worked out I was in charge of Airland #2, and made me really popular because I had all the vics on my aircraft. I added a duffle of coffee and Copenhagen, everything the Aveano PX had in stock.
Something to make up for being bumped off the jump. Besides coffee and a wisperlight international came in handy when it hit freezing every Night while living in a hole in the ground.
Suns up means coffee was going...... Does wonders for moral after a night of sleet and mixed rain pulling perimeter security while living in a whole in the ground for weeks.