Fort Bragg Troops Train For Homeland Security Mission

November 13, 2004

UPDATED: 5:15 pm EST November 11, 2004

NEW YORK -- The traditional image of the military is troops going

overseas.

But, now more than ever, troops train to go anywhere -- even inside

the United States.

Just this week, Fort Bragg soldiers ran a rare training exercise in

New York.

The group of soldiers flew to New York to train for a fictional

scenario in which terrorists plan to strike the West Point Military

Academy, the place where future Army leaders train.

Once the Fort Bragg troops landed, the commanders were briefed. They

predicted what fictional enemies might do, and how they might do it.

" With the whole 9/11, anything's possible after that, " said Spc. David

Millburn. " That's where things are happening now. It's here on the

homeland. "

Within hours, soldiers set up communications and began patrolling the

mountain campus.

One group of four soldiers make up what's called a fire-team. During

the drill, they walked around for hours looking for anything

suspicious along the perimeter.

" We're here to do a job, complete a mission, go home, " said Sgt.

Christian Brajas.

The paratroopers stuck to their training details for 12 straight

hours. The group can be ready to go anywhere within four hours.

Most units around the country are scheduling more domestic " training

ops " like this one. The soldiers at Fort Bragg have done three.

Reporter: Jason Stoogenke

Photographer: Michael Joyner

OnLine Producer: Rod Overton

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