173rd Airborne #B Flag
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The 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team is an airborne infantry brigade of the United States Army based in Vicenza, Italy. The brigade is the United States European Command's conventional airborne strategic response force for Europe.
Activated in 1915, the 173rd Airborne Brigade saw service in both World War I and World War II, but it is by far best remembered for its actions while serving in the Vietnam War. The brigade was the first major United States ground formation into the country, and served there for six years, losing almost 1,800 soldiers in the process. Well noted for its roles in Operation Hump and Operation Junction City, soldiers of the 173rd received over 7,700 upper tier service medals, including over 6,000 Purple Hearts. The brigade eventually returned to the United States, when it was deactivated in 1972.
Reactivated in 2000, the brigade has since served three tours in the Middle East. The 173rd participated in the initial invasion of Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, and two tours in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; one in 2005-2006, and another that began in 2007. The brigade is currently serving in the eastern provinces of the country.
The 173rd Airborne Brigade currently contains six prime component battalions. The unit's two paratrooper infantry Battalions are 1st and 2nd Battalions, 503rd Infantry Regiment, an association that can be traced back to the unit's World War II service. 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment serves as the unit's mechanized reconnaissance unit. The 173rd Airborne Brigade also has a detachment of field artillery, 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment.
In support of the regular combat forces are the 173rd Special Troops Battalion, and the 173rd Support Battalion. All of these units are Airborne qualified, making the 173rd Airborne Brigade the second largest airborne formation in the United States Army, behind the 82nd Airborne Division.
Active: 1917-08-05 - January 1919
1921-06-24 - 1945-09-24
1947-05-12 - 1951-12-01
1963-03-12 - 1972-01-14
2000-10-16 - Present
Allegiance: Regular Army
Branch: Infantry
Type: Airborne Infantry
Role: USAREUR quick response force
Part of 7th Army
Garrison/HQ: Vicenza, Italy
Nickname: Sky Soldiers
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