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CNN Live At Daybreak

America's New War: America's Military Ready to Fight

Aired September 18, 2001 - 07:27   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Right now we're going to check in with Brian Cabell from Fort Campbell, Kentucky to get an idea of how troops might be getting ready there -- good morning, Brian.

BRIAN CABELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.

They are known as the screaming eagles, the 101st Airborne, and when America goes to war, they are usually among the first in battle. During the Gulf War they fired some of the first shots at Iraqi radar sites just before the air war started. Back in WWII, they flew into Normandy behind enemy lines just before the D-Day invasion started. And once again, they're awaiting to be among the first to go into battle.

With me from now, Major Paul Fitzpatrick. First of all, any word from the Pentagon yet as to a deployment?

MAJOR PAUL FITZPATRICK, FORT CAMPBELL SPOKESMAN: As of right now we have not received any notification from the Department of Defense or the Department of the Army to make preparation to deploy or any other mission.

CABELL: Once you do get word, how long does it take you to deploy?

FITZPATRICK: Well, we are ready and we have a standing mission to deploy forces within 36 hours upon notification. And we're ready and trained to do that.

CABELL: And we're taking a look back here at the entry gate. It looks awfully crowded. Is there tight security here?

FITZPATRICK: Oh, absolutely. Since the terrorist attack on Tuesday, we have tightened security on Fort Campbell as well as every other military installation around the world. And we are doing 100 percent I.D. checks and random vehicle searches to ensure that we know who's coming onto Fort Campbell and that we can assure the safety of the workers, families, soldiers and our assets here at Fort Campbell.

CABELL: You've been talking to men and women on post here the last few days. What is the morale like?

FITZPATRICK: Oh, the morale is high. The mood is good. The soldiers here at Fort Campbell as well as everywhere else in the army are highly motivated, glad to serve their country and prepared to do whatever the nation calls.

CABELL: Is there an expectation, would you say, that some troops will be leaving here soon? Is that the feeling you get from talking to them?

FITZPATRICK: Well, considering the 101st Airborne Division being a highly trained, a highly motivated organization, sure. Every soldier has that expectation and we're here to do whatever the nation and our national leadership requests of us.

CABELL: Tell us what the 101st does. How do you go into battle, actually?

FITZPATRICK: Well, the 101st Airborne Division is an air assault division, the only one in the army. We have the unique capability to move large formations of soldiers via helicopter hundreds of kilometers in and around our tactical battlefield, whether it be two enemy formations behind or around enemy formations, it's the asset that we provide unique to the United States Army.

CABELL: You would fly in by plane initially, correct?

FITZPATRICK: Large overseas deployments we usually transport by airplane, cargo airlift by the air force. Then once in country we have the capability with the helicopter battalions that support the division to move around the battlefield and make large movements to benefit the tactical strategy.

CABELL: Major Fitzpatrick, thank you very much.

So once again there is no word yet from the Pentagon, but it's expected, frankly, fairly shortly and Fort Campbell, 24,000 troops strong, is waiting.

I'm Brian Cabell, CNN live in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

ZAHN: Thanks so much, Brian.

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