Exercise Swarmer

Exercise Swarmer (Operation Swarmer)
Location	Southeastern United States
Objective	Training exercise
Date	April 24-May 8, 1950 (UTC-5)

Exercise Swarmer (also known as Operation Swarmer) was a military exercise conducted in the spring of 1950 by the United States Air Force, United States Army and United States Navy in the southeastern part of the United States, headquartered at Fort Bragg in the state of North Carolina. Starting on April 24 and running through May 8, the exercise was intended to apply lessons learned during the Berlin Airlift to battlefield logistics; the exercise took place over ten days and involved over 60,000 personnel.

Scenario

The scenario for Exercise Swarmer involved a mock invasion of the eastern coast of the United States, with defending forces counterattacking the 'enemy incursion' via a massive airlift behind enemy lines. The counterattack involved establishing an airhead, involving over six hundred transport and fighter aircraft, and airdrops of over 3900 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division and the 11th Airborne Division.

Results

Although the achievements of the airlift were initially considered disappointing as opposed to projections, by the time four days of the exercise had passed the results were considered to be "the biggest step forwards since World War II" by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. However, the United States Air Force determined that existing transport aircraft were inadequate for the cargo needs of the Army, General James Gavin calling for an increase in the supply of C-119 cargo aircraft.

Exercise Swarmer also saw the service introduction of the first Parachute Rigger Badge, used by the 11th Parachute Maintenance Company, although the badge would not become official until 1986.

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