United States invasion of Grenada

Her complaints were not heeded, and the invasion continued as planned. While the fighting was still going on, Reagan phoned Thatcher to apologize for any miscommunication between them, and their long-term friendly relationship endured.

Aftermath and legacy

The American and Caribbean governments quickly reaffirmed Governor-General Sir Paul Scoon as Queen Elizabeth II's sole legitimate representative in Grenada, and hence the only lawful authority on the island. In accordance with Commonwealth constitutional practice, Scoon assumed power as interim head of government and formed an advisory council which named Nicholas Brathwaite as chairman, pending new elections. Maps given to some members of the invasion force had their landing strips drawn by hand.

Reagan attempted to use the invasion of Grenada to end Vietnam Syndrome, a term used in reference to the American public's aversion to overseas conflicts that resulted from the Vietnam War. After the invasion, on 13 December 1983, Reagan asserted that "our days of weakness are over. Our military forces are back on their feet and standing tall."

Goldwater–Nichols Act

The Department of Defense recognized a need for improved communications and coordination among the branches of the U.S. military. Congress investigated many of the problems and passed the Goldwater–Nichols Act of 1986 (Pub. L.99–433). This act reworked the command structure of the military, making the most sweeping changes to the Department of Defense since the department was established in the National Security Act of 1947. It increased the power of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and advanced the concept of unified joint forces organized under one command.

Other

right|thumb|SGU Campus Memorial

A CBS News poll that surveyed 304 people showed that 91% of Grenadians welcomed the invasion, and that 85% of Grenadians felt that their lives were in danger while Hudson Austin was in power.

25 October is a national holiday in Grenada, called Thanksgiving Day, to commemorate the invasion. St. George's University (SGU) built a monument on its True Blue campus to honor the American servicemen killed during the invasion, and marks the day with an annual memorial ceremony.

After the Grenada invasion, Cuba became increasingly concerned the U.S. might also invade socialist Nicaragua where Cuba had supplied primary school teachers to help the country establish rural schools. As a consequence of the invasion, Cuba removed its female primary school teachers from Nicaragua.

thumb|Derelict Cuban [[Antonov An-26 airliner at Pearls Airport in 2007]]

On 29 May 2009, the Grenadian government changed the name of Point Salines International Airport to Maurice Bishop International Airport. Hundreds of Grenadians turned out for the occasion to honor Bishop's memory. Prime Minister Tillman Thomas gave the keynote speech and referred to the airport renaming as an act of the Grenadian people coming home to themselves. He also hoped it would bring closure to a chapter of denial in Grenada's history.

Order of battle

thumb|upright=1.2|Operation Urgent Fury

Vice Admiral Joseph Metcalf, III, COMSECONDFLT, became Commander of Joint Task Force 120 (CJTF 120) and commanded units from the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard from the MARG flagship USS Guam. Rear Admiral Richard C. Berry (COMCRUDESGRU Eight) (Commander Task Group 20) supported the task force on the aircraft carrier USS Independence. Commanding Officer USS Guam (Task Force 124) was assigned the mission of seizing Pearls Airport and the port of Grenville, and of neutralizing any opposing forces in the area. Simultaneously, Army Rangers in Task Force 123 would secure points at the southern end of the island, including the airfield under construction near Point Salines. The 82d Airborne Division (Task Force 121) were designated to follow and assume the security at Point Salines once it was seized by Task Force 123. Task Group 20.5, a carrier battle group built around USS Independence, and Air Force elements would support the ground forces.

1st Special Forces Operational Detachment–Delta

Air Force

thumb|Commander-in-Chief of The [[Military Airlift Command General Thomas M. Ryan Jr., piloting a U.S. Air Force Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft en route from Barbados to Grenada, November 1983]]

136th Tactical Airlift Wing, Texas Air National Guard – provided C-130 Hercules combat airlift support, cargo, and supplies
Various Air National Guard tactical fighter wings and squadrons – provided A-7D Corsair II ground-attack aircraft for close air support
23rd Tactical Fighter Wing – provided close air support for allied forces with A-10 Warthogs. This group was later reassigned as 21st Tactical Air Wing, and officially then recognized support from the Pararescue personnel in their ranks, present also; but not officially recognized in their contributions in this theatre. They too, were subsequently redesignated as “Para-Jumpers” or PJs in later years and remain so to this day.
26th Air Defense Squadron NORAD – provided air support for allied forces with F-15 Eagles
33rd Tactical Fighter Wing – provided air superiority cover for allied forces with F-15 Eagles
437th Military Airlift Wing – provided airlift support with C-141 Starlifters
1st Special Operations Wing – flew AC-130H Spectre gunships and MC-130E Combat Talons
317th Military Airlift Wing – provided airlift support with C-130 Hercules from Pope AFB/Fort Bragg, NC complex to Grenada
63d Military Airlift Wing – provided airlift support with C-141 Starlifter aircraft in the air landing of Airborne troops, 63rd Security Police Squadron provided airfield security support – (Norton AFB CA)
443rd Military Airlift Wing, 443rd Security Police Squadron (Altus AFB, OK) – provided a 44-man Airbase Ground Defense flight (Oct–Nov 1983)
19th Air Refueling Wing – provided aerial refueling support for all other aircraft
507th Tactical Air Control Wing (elements of the 21st TASS at Shaw AFB, SC and Detachment 1, Fort Bragg, NC) – provided Tactical Air Control Parties (TACPs) in support of the 82nd Airborne Division
552nd Air Control Wing – providing air control support with E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft
62nd Security Police Group (Provisional) Multi Squadron Law Enforcement & Security Forces – prisoner detaining and transport attached to 82nd Airborne
60th Military Airlift Wing's 60th Security Police Squadron (Travis AFB, CA) – provided airfield security in Grenada as well as Barbados. 602nd OMS provided aircraft recovery teams for cargo operations.

Navy

Two formations of U.S. warships took part in the invasion. carrier battle group; and Marine Amphibious Readiness Group, flagship , , , , and . Carrier Group Four was allocated the designation Task Group 20.5 for the operation.

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width=99%

|+ Independence carrier battle group

! colspan="1" width="30%" align="center" | Surface warships

! colspan="2" align="center" | Carrier Air Wing Six (CVW-6) squadrons embarked aboard flagship Independence

| USS Independence

| Fighter Squadron 14 (VF-14): 13 F-14A

| Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 122 (VAW-122): 4 E-2C

| Fighter Squadron 32 (VF-32): 14 F-14A

| Electronic Attack Squadron 131 (VAQ-131): 4 EA-6B

| Attack Squadron 176 (VA-176): 16 A-6E/KA-6D

| Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (15 HS-15): 6 SH-3H

| Attack Squadron 87 (VA-87): 12 A-7E

| VS-28|Sea Control Squadron 28 (VS-28): 10 S-3A

| Attack Squadron 15 (VA-15): 12 A-7E

| COD: 1 C-1A

| ----

In addition, the following ships supported naval operations:

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and .

Coast Guard

Law Enforcement Detachments
HC-130 aircraft