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.
-
From Origins to Excellence: The Early Days of Australian Paras and their Training School Today
Read MoreAt the onset of World War II, Australia's small Permanent Army and its militia lacked any capability for parachute operations. However, the early successes of German paratroopers, particularly at Fort Eben Emael in Belgium in 1940, highlighted the strategic value of airborne forces and spurred Australia to develop its own....
-
The Elusive Blue Air Assault Beret
Read MoreBlue 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...
-
Operation Dragoon: Allied Invasion of Southern France in 1944
Read MoreOperation Dragoon, originally codenamed Anvil, was the Allied invasion of Southern France that began on August 15, 1944. It was a critical complement to the D-Day landings in Normandy, aiming to open a second front and facilitate the liberation of France from Nazi occupation. This blog will provide details of...
-
Operation Musketeer: The Jump on the Suez Canal
Read MoreThe 1956 Suez Crisis, also known as the Second Arab-Israeli War, was a complex conflict involving multiple nations and interests. At its core, the crisis was a confrontation over control of the Suez Canal, a crucial waterway for global trade and oil transport. Operation Musketeer, a unique joint military operation...
-
Reexamining D-Day Airborne Operations
Read MoreThe Stage is Set for the Most Pivotal Airborne in History As the grand strategy for Operation Overlord took shape, the Trident Conference in Washington in May 1943 became the crucible where its fate was forged. The flanks of Normandy's beaches emerged as the cornerstones of liberation, demanding control to...
-
Unmanned Aerial Systems Will Become Integral to Airborne Operations
Read More"Attack your enemy where he is unprepared; appear where you are not expected." Sun Tzu Airborne Operations Have Changed Integrating Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) into airborne operations has not just reshaped tactical strategies and operational capabilities in modern warfare, but it has also provided a significant strategic advantage. This paradigm...
-
Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces – Always First!
Read MoreFrom Soviet Doctrine to Leading in the Frontline Upon the fall of the Soviet Union, several Airborne Forces of the Soviet Union were integrated into the Ukrainian Ground Forces under the name of the Ukrainian 1st Airmobile Division. For their first 20 years, they became the go-to division in Ukraine's...
-
Colonel Ralph Puckett Jr.: A Tribute to Valor and Command
Read MoreColonel Ralph Puckett Jr., an exemplar of courage and command, departed this life at 97 years old, bequeathing a heritage of inspiration to countless warriors and citizens. His distinguished service record, adorned with acts of gallantry and altruism, traversed dual conflicts and a multitude of commendable deeds, meriting the top...
-
The 82nd Airborne Division Association – The Living Legacy of All-Americans
Read MoreThe 82nd Airborne Division Association – The Living Legacy of All-Americans The 82nd Airborne Division Association is leading the charge in bringing all the previous and current warriors of the All-American Division together and inspiring them to keep the fighting spirit alive. Its roots go back to the Great War,...
-
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment - The Night Stalkers
Read MoreThey 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...
-
Operation Hump: 173rd’s Legendary Operation in Vietnam
Read MoreSoldiers 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...
-
Wisdom from the Community: Top Five Pieces of Advice for New Paratroopers
Read MoreWisdom 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...
-
Operation Restore Democracy: The Landing that Never Happened
Read MoreOperation 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...
-
The Evolution of Airborne Operations: From World War II to Present Day
Read MoreThey 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...
-
Boots On Ground: The 82nd Airborne in the Battle for Iraq
Read MoreTransporting 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,...
-
The Essentials: The C-17 Globemaster
Read More"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...
-
The Filthy Thirteen: The True Story of the Dirty Dozen
Read MoreTightly 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...
