Helicopters, support personnel due in Albania

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April 20, 1999
Web posted at: 9:22 p.m. EDT (0122 GMT)

FORT BRAGG, North Carolina (CNN) -- Hundreds of U.S. paratroopers were en route to Albania on Tuesday to provide security and ground support for the Army's Apache attack helicopters, 24 of which were expected to arrive later in the day for use in NATO's air war against Yugoslavia.

In addition to the 700 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division who left Fort Bragg on Monday night -- with more expected to follow -- 2,300 support personnel from the North Carolina base are also being sent.

"It takes about 14 people on the ground to get one of the Apaches in the air," said Lt. Col. Vance Sales, commander of the 229th Attack Helicopter Regiment at Fort Bragg. "It is much more involved than a couple of pilots hopping in and taking off."

"Task Force Hawk," as the mission is called, includes military personnel to guard the "tank-killing" helicopters and operate land-based missiles designed to protect Apaches from Yugoslav air defenses.

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