82nd Airborne Division

82nd Airborne Division
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Unit name	82nd Airborne Division
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Airborne forces
Command structure	XVIII Airborne Corps
Garrison	Fort Bragg

82nd Airborne Division is an airborne division of the United States Army, specializing in parachute operations into hostile areas. The division is part of the XVIII Airborne Corps and is based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, with its 82nd Airborne Division Band and 82nd Airborne Division Chorus. The division has a long history, dating back to World War I, and has been involved in numerous conflicts, including World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, with notable engagements such as the Battle of the Bulge, Operation Market Garden, and the Battle of Anzio. The division has also been deployed to various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, in support of operations such as the Gulf War and the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021).

● History

The division was first activated on August 25, 1917, at Camp Gordon, Georgia, as part of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. The division was composed of draftees from Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, and was trained at Camp Gordon and Camp Jackson, South Carolina. After the war, the division was demobilized and reconstituted as the 82nd Infantry Division in 1921, with its headquarters at Columbia, South Carolina. The division was reactivated in 1942, during World War II, and was redesignated as the 82nd Airborne Division on August 15, 1942, with its first commander being Major General Matthew Ridgway. The division played a significant role in the war, participating in key battles such as the Invasion of Sicily, the Battle of Normandy, and the Battle of the Bulge, alongside other notable units such as the 101st Airborne Division and the 1st Infantry Division. The division was also involved in the Occupation of Japan after the war, and was later deployed to Korea during the Korean War, where it fought alongside the United States Marine Corps and the Republic of Korea Army.

● Organization

The division is composed of several brigade combat teams, including the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, and the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, as well as various support units such as the 82nd Airborne Division Artillery and the 82nd Airborne Division Engineer Brigade. The division is also supported by the 82nd Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade and the 82nd Airborne Division Signal Brigade, which provide logistical and communication support. The division's parachute infantry units are trained at the United States Army Airborne School and the United States Army Ranger School, both located at Fort Benning, Georgia. The division's units have also been trained at other notable institutions, such as the United States Army Command and General Staff College and the United States Army War College.

● Operations

The division has been involved in numerous operations throughout its history, including Operation Overlord, Operation Market Garden, and Operation Desert Storm. The division has also been deployed to various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, in support of operations such as the Gulf War and the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021). The division has worked alongside other notable units, such as the United States Navy SEALs, the United States Air Force, and the British Army, to conduct operations such as the Invasion of Panama and the Invasion of Iraq. The division's units have also participated in humanitarian operations, such as the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and the 2010 Haiti earthquake response, alongside other organizations such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross.

● Notable Commanders

The division has had several notable commanders throughout its history, including Major General Matthew Ridgway, Lieutenant General James M. Gavin, and Lieutenant General Daniel R. Akerson. Other notable commanders include General Creighton Abrams, General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., and General David Petraeus, who have all played significant roles in shaping the division's history and operations. The division's commanders have also been recognized for their service, with awards such as the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star Medal, and have been involved in notable events such as the Yalta Conference and the Potsdam Conference.

● Honors and Decorations

The division has received numerous honors and decorations throughout its history, including the Presidential Unit Citation, the Valorous Unit Award, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. The division has also been awarded several campaign streamers, including those for World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021). The division's units have also received awards such as the Navy Unit Commendation and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and have been recognized for their service by organizations such as the United Service Organizations and the Wounded Warrior Project.

● Equipment and Training

The division is equipped with a variety of military equipment, including the M4 carbine, the M249 light machine gun, and the M240 machine gun. The division's units are also trained in the use of parachutes, rappelling, and other special operations skills. The division's soldiers undergo rigorous training at the United States Army Airborne School and the United States Army Ranger School, both located at Fort Benning, Georgia, as well as at other notable institutions such as the United States Army Special Forces and the United States Navy's Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training. The division's equipment and training have been recognized as among the best in the world, with the division's soldiers being awarded the Expert Infantryman Badge and the Combat Infantryman Badge for their service.

Category:United States Army divisions