(9 Dec 1995) English/Nat

When the ink is dry on the Bosnian Peace Agreement, to be signed in Paris next Thursday, U-S troops will begin their deployment in the war-torn Balkan state.

Among those scheduled to go is a group from the elite 82nd Airborne Division, based at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

For the 750 soldiers involved, army training exercises are not focussing on combat as usual, but on keeping the peace.

The main force of U.S. troops for the Bosnian mission will be coming from Germany.

Troops deployed from the United States, like these training here from the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, will have a supporting role.

It's a little different to what the division is used to.

They've been told the focus of their mission in Bosnia will be convoy operations, first aid, mine recognition, and sling loading.

SOUNDBITE:
"We're very anxious. We're not sure when, right now, or if we go. They're all motivated, excited and rarin' to go as soon as we get called."
SUPER CAPTION: Captain Tim Quillin , 82nd Airborne

The soldiers here are training for every possible contingency in a combat situation.

They prepare for the terrain, the snipers and the icy snows of a Bosnian winter.

The 82nd is a unit steeped in heroic military tradition - associated with names of famous World War Two battles like Normandy, Anzio, and the Ardennes.

They are the first ones in - trained to attack, and trained to fight.

This Christmas though, they're being trained for peace.

SOUNDBITE:
"We've trained how to go through checkpoints before , but now we're training how to go through a checkpoint where they may or may not speak English. And how to diplomatically get through those situations."
SUPER CAPTION:Captain Garret Peck, Company Commander

While the program is focussing less on the soldiering and more on diplomacy, the traditional aggressive frame of mind still exists.

SOUNDBITE:
"I think the men are very motivated. I think that they're well trained, and they're confident in their abilities. And they look forward to doing whatever the National Command Authority asks us to do . Whether that be a combat or peace-keeping operation...we're ready to go."
SUPER CAPTION:Captain Garret Peck ,Company Commander

But the success for the Americans of operations like Grenada, Panama, and the Gulf War has not yet been overshadowed by failures like Vietnam, Iran, Lebanon, and Somalia.

Going into Bosnia raises concerns among the troops when a political mandate is mentioned.

The rhetoric from one battle, it seems, does not carry on to the next.

SOUNDBITE:
"They've been fighting for so long, hopefully we can have an impact to change it. In my opinion, I don't see it happening. I think that the one year plan is going to get extended or right after we leave, its going to fall apart again, but we do what we gotta do."
SUPER CAPTION:Specialist Victor Molina

Doubts or no doubts, the 82nd Airborne Division is ready and the troops will need only 18 hours notice to move in.

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