5 Reasons The 82nd Airborne Is Awesome

5 Reasons The 82nd Airborne Is Awesome

The 82nd Airborne Division is a highly trained and specialized division of the US Army that can be rapidly deployed to any location worldwide within 18 hours. These soldiers are experts in conducting forcible entry parachute assaults and other military operations. Let’s read several stories that make this unit one of the most awesome units in the United Stats  Army:

The 82nd Developed The Concept of the IRF/GRF

The IRF is a force that can be deployed quickly by the Army and Air Force. It comprises a Brigade Combat Team from the 82nd Airborne Division. This team has been used for several quick deployments, even in the modern era. Their most recent case was in Afghanistan, where they secured the main airfield while the United States conducted evacuations of personnel. 

The “AA” Patch is One of the most recognized Patches in the World

The 82nd Infantry Division was looking for a nickname that would help build unit camaraderie and morale. They held a contest in partnership with the Atlanta Georgian newspaper, and the endearing nickname was "All American," submitted by Vivienne Goodwyn.

This is why the 82nd Airborne Division has been nicknamed the "All American" Division because of its history and the diversity of the soldiers who have served in it. The podcast goes into more detail about the nickname and the soldiers who have proudly carried it.

They Regularly Reenact World War II Maneuvers

In a tribute to their fallen comrades, combat engineers from the 82nd Airborne Division compete yearly in a reenactment of the World War II Waal River pontoon boat crossing. This bold combat maneuver enabled the Allies to liberate the Dutch city of Nijmegen at a great cost. Forty-eight U.S. service members from the 82nd were killed during the historic 1944 crossing and are honored today by 48 street lamps positioned along a recently built bridge over the Waal River. In addition, the conduct Operation Market Garden jumps and DDay jumps every year in Europe and the United States. 

They’ve Earned the Title of “Paratrooper”

The 82nd Airborne is a highly trained group of soldiers ready to jump into action immediately. They are constantly training and preparing for battle, taking their name very seriously with roughly 10,000 training jumps made by soldiers at Fort Bragg, home to the 82nd Airborne Division and 11,000 civilian employees, making it one of the more populous U.S. military installations.

They’ve Been Featured in Several Movies


The 82nd Airborne Division has been featured in several films and television shows. Some of the most notable examples include the film "The Longest Day," which chronicles the events of D-Day, and the television show "Band of Brothers," which tells the story of Easy Company during World War II. Though Band of Brothers was focused on 101st Airborne Division, the 82nd Airborne Paratroopers were shown throughout the film. 


The former was a classic from 1962 and had a great cast, including John Wayne, Henry Fonda, and Sean Connery, winning two Academy Awards in 1963. The former won four Primetime Emmys: Outstanding Limited Series, Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, Outstanding Art Direction - Miniseries, Movie or a Special, and Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.


In Closing


Their portrayal in various media and propagation of beloved terms and cornerstone military operations makes the 82nd Airborne one of the most awesome units the U.S. has ever seen. So the next time you rewatch “The Longest Day,” “Band of Brothers,” or remember our airborne troops, always think of the All Americans, the 82nd Airborne Division.

  • 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment - The Night Stalkers
    160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment - The Night Stalkers

    They were born out of a doomed operation, but their role has become irreplaceable. Their brothers in arms count on them in the most difficult of times while they remain the enemy’s worst nightmare. Battle-proven, always resilient, and lethal, they are highly respected among all the services and have often...

    Read More
  • Operation Hump: 173rd’s Legendary Operation in Vietnam
    Operation Hump: 173rd’s Legendary Operation in Vietnam

      Soldiers take cover in a crater during the Vietnam War (Courtesy Photo/U.S. Army) Operation Hump is a legendary operation conducted jointly by Australian and American Airborne forces in Vietnam. The Friendly composition consisted of the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, as well as a battalion from...

    Read More
  • The Elusive Blue Air Assault Beret
    The Elusive Blue Air Assault Beret

    Blue Air Assault Berets: A Brief Chapter in Military History In the accounts of military tradition, berets have often stood out as symbols of honor and excellence, providing soldiers with an extra element of pride. They adorn soldiers' heads, signifying their commitment to a unique calling. While everyone in the...

    Read More
  • Wisdom from the Community: Top Five Pieces of Advice for New Paratroopers
    Wisdom from the Community: Top Five Pieces of Advice for New Paratroopers

    Wisdom from the Community: Top Five Pieces of Advice for New Paratroopers Hear ye, hear ye! Young paratroopers, we believe you deserve some valuable advice because you are at a stage where you need it to shape your military career. Because we care, we reached out to our community to...

    Read More
  • Operation Restore Democracy: The Landing that Never Happened
    Operation Restore Democracy: The Landing that Never Happened

    Operation Restore Democracy: The Landing that Never Happened In the early 1990s, Haiti's democracy was in constant crisis, and the island was being governed by unconstitutional leadership. The regimes kept changing but lacked national and international legitimacy, leading to U.N. sanctions. The United States created a multinational force (MNF) to...

    Read More
  • The Evolution of Airborne Operations: From World War II to Present Day
    The Evolution of Airborne Operations: From World War II to Present Day

    They called it "The Iron Rain." On the fateful day of June 6, 1944, as part of Operation Overlord, more than 13,000 paratroopers from the American 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions leaped into the night sky, their hearts racing, their minds set on one goal: the liberation of Europe from...

    Read More
  • Boots On Ground: The 82nd Airborne in the Battle for Iraq
    Boots On Ground: The 82nd Airborne in the Battle for Iraq

    Transporting you from your favorite reading nook literally into the boots of the 82nd Airborne in the Battle for Iraq, Boots on the Ground by Karl Zinsmeister details the story of the frontline in a way that often isn't covered in the headline news story.  A frontline reporter traveling with the 82nd,...

    Read More
  • The Essentials: The C-17 Globemaster
    The Essentials: The C-17 Globemaster

    "The Essentials" Series is a monthly blog related to Airborne culture. We target fundamental topics such as Airborne equipment, culture, traditions, trivia, etc. While we have a semi-annual plan on the topics, we remain open to ideas from paratroopers like yourself. So, feel free to reach out and propose a...

    Read More
  • The Filthy Thirteen: The True Story of the Dirty Dozen
    The Filthy Thirteen: The True Story of the Dirty Dozen

    Tightly bound to one another in times of war, unforgiving in the way they approach a battle, and legendary in their bravery, the story is told of the US paratroopers of the US 101st Airborne Division in The Filthy Thirteen. Finding the courage to parachute behind enemy lines in the...

    Read More
  • Battle of Yongju: The Battle of the Apple Orchard
    Battle of Yongju: The Battle of the Apple Orchard

    Also known as the Battle of the Apple Orchard, the UN orchestrated the Battle of Yongju to fight back against the North Korean forces during the Korean war. In this offensive maneuver, the US 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team—or the US 187 RCT was called on to move in front...

    Read More
  • The Chosen Few: US Paratrooper's Battle in Eastern Afghanistan
    The Chosen Few: US Paratrooper's Battle in Eastern Afghanistan

    Bringing you to a more recent battle in a different part of the world, The Chosen Few by Gregg Zoroya is a detailed account of how a U.S. Paratroopers company fought in eastern Afghanistan in 2007. In hopes to go in on a single, swift mission in order to befriend the isolated...

    Read More
  • No Better Place To Day: The Battle For La Fiere Bridge
    No Better Place To Day: The Battle For La Fiere Bridge

    In this first-person narrative, Robert M. Murphy transports you right into the battle at La Fiere in the early morning hours of D-Day.  Taking you through a firsthand account of close-quarters combat in the industrial war of the 20th century, Murphy covers all sides of the war, from the paratroopers...

    Read More
  • Airborne Equipment: The Waco CG-4A Glider
    Airborne Equipment: The Waco CG-4A Glider

    During World War II, the U.S. Army Air Forces utilized military gliders as a method of delivery to battle. These one-time use, engineless aircraft were towed in pairs near to the front lines of battle, typically by a Douglas C-47 military transport aircraft, carrying troops or supplies to bolster advancing...

    Read More
  • Over 100 years of bravey: The 173rd Airborne Brigade
    Over 100 years of bravey: The 173rd Airborne Brigade

    The 173rd Airborne Brigade is a United States Army airborne infantry brigade formed on 12 June 1917 at Camp Devens, Massachusetts. It is one of the oldest airborne units in the United States Army and has a rich history of service and combat operations. A WORLD AT WAR During World...

    Read More
  • War: Through the eyes of the 173rd Airborne in Afghanistan
    War: Through the eyes of the 173rd Airborne in Afghanistan

    "Brotherhood has nothing to do with feelings; it has to do with how you define your relationship to others. It has to do with the rather profound decision to put the welfare of the group above your personal welfare. In such a system, feelings are meaningless. In such a system,...

    Read More
  • Into The Viper's Nest: The First Pivotal Battle Of The Afghan War
    Into The Viper's Nest: The First Pivotal Battle Of The Afghan War

    "I set out then to report this story from many points of view - American and British, from soldier to general, from diplomat to president. It seemed to me that only by getting behind the scenes could anyone pretend to understand what was happening. And it seemed far better to...

    Read More
  • You can Jump from a plane. How about jumping into a book?
    You can Jump from a plane. How about jumping into a book?

    As paratroopers, we know you've got discipline and are always on the lookout for that new book title that will leave a lasting impression. The global library has never been more diverse, yet you want something you can relate to. The good news is that we've reached out to our...

    Read More
Back to blog