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Iraq
82nd Airborne Paratroopers Just Deployed Without Their Phones. Your Unit Could Be Next
2020-01-10
[Mil.com] As America's adversaries become more sophisticated, U.S. combat troops heading to the war zone may have to get used to leaving behind their phones, laptops and even personal gaming devices, military experts say.

The Pentagon doesn't have a blanket policy barring service members from taking electronic devices on deployment, but combat commanders are beginning to prohibit them when going into the unknown.

Last week, Maj. Gen. James Mingus, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, ordered his paratroopers with the 1st Brigade Combat Team to leave personal phones, computers and all electronic devices at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, when they were alerted for a short-notice deployment to the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran.

"My commander wanted to own the decision to avoid putting soldiers at risk," said Lt. Col. Mike Burns, spokesman for the 82nd Airborne. "It's an [operational security] issue."
Posted by:Besoeker

#6  Eldest son was with the 173rd in Nahangahar.
Said they all checked each other when they went out on patrol.
Posted by: ed in texas   2020-01-10 19:06  

#5  Mail call! Good enuf then, good enuf NOW !
Posted by: Besoeker   2020-01-10 17:32  

#4   alerted for a short-notice deployment

NO mission distraction!
I like it.
Posted by: Skidmark   2020-01-10 16:51  

#3  Ukrainians found out real quick having a phone or other PED got artillery dropped on you.
Posted by: swksvolFF   2020-01-10 12:33  

#2  Unfortunately it will be just like school and prison. Contraband is valuable and there's no shortage of people inclined to traffic in it.
Posted by: M. Murcek   2020-01-10 09:28  

#1  I like the idea of a combat situation not being interrupted by a robo-call.
Posted by: Varmint Splat1454   2020-01-10 07:54  

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