Dawn at Salines - World at War

Most challenging to play: Grenada (PRA) [Japanese] against USA [Allied] . Conditions: Normal. Size: Small-Medium.

Background: October 25, 1983. Point Salines, Grenada.

US Army Rangers played a critical role in the success of Operation Urgent Fury. They were tasked with securing the Salines Airport and the True Blue Campus of the Grand Anse Medical School. The initial plan was to land three C-130 Hercules aircraft directly on the runway, disembark, and commence direct action contact with opposition forces to secure the airfield. Upon securing the airstrip, the 82nd Airborne Infantry would land and relieve them, moving out to control the southern part of the island.

While in the air, the Rangers were notified of photographic intelligence indicating obstructions on the field. Instead of landing, the majority of transport would have to drop all the Rangers at Salines so the runway could be cleared. They jumped without reserve parachutes from below 500 ft. Once on the ground, they used a Cuban bulldozer to clear the runway. Resistance was sparodic, but continued for several hours after the first Rangers landed and included a counter-attack involving BTR-60s.