The History of the "Filthy Thirteen"

In the dynamic world of modern warfare, no military force can afford to remain static. The rapid pace of technological advancement, evolving threats, and shifting battlefields demand constant adaptation. For the U.S. Army, the concept of “continuous transformation” is not merely a strategy but a necessity, especially for its airborne...

The origins of the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team (PRCT) trace back to the birth of the 17th Airborne Division on March 15, 1943. This division’s parachute forces included the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the 460th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion, and Company C of the 139th Airborne Engineer Battalion. While...

At 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....

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...

Operation 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...

The 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...

The 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...

"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...

From 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., 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 We want to start out by stating that this is not a paid advertisement for the association nor did they entice us to write about them. As a paying member of the association ourselves, we are just a fan...

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...

  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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...