Global Information173rd Airborne Brigade information
| 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate) | |
|---|---|
 173rd Airborne Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Insignia | |
| Active | 1917–1919; 1921–1945; 1947–1951; 1963–1972; 2000–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Type | Airborne light infantry |
| Role | European and African area quick response force |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of |  United States Army EuropeUnited States Army Africa U.S. Army Europe and Africa Southern European Task Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Caserma Del Din (Vicenza, Italy) |
| Nickname(s) | Sky Soldiers (special designation)[1] |
| Anniversaries | 26 March 2003 Iraq Invasion |
| Engagements | World War II:
Vietnam War:
War on Terror
|
| Decorations |
|
| Website | Official Website |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | COL Joshua M. Gaspard[2] |
| Notable commanders |
|
| Insignia | |
| Combat service identification badge |  |
| Brigade Distinctive Unit Insignia |  |
| Brigade Beret Flash |  |
| Brigade Background Trimming |  |
The 173rd Airborne Brigade ("Sky Soldiers")[1] is an airborne infantry brigade combat team (IBCT) of the United States Army based in Vicenza, Italy. It is the United States European Command's conventional airborne strategic response force for Europe.[3]
Activated in 1915, as the 173rd Infantry Brigade, the unit saw service in World War II but is best known for its actions during the Vietnam War. The brigade was the first major United States Army ground formation deployed to South Vietnam, serving there from 1965 to 1971 and losing 1,533 soldiers. Noted for its roles in Operation Hump and Operation Junction City, the 173rd is best known for the Battle of Dak To, where it suffered heavy casualties in close combat with North Vietnamese forces. Brigade members received over 7,700 decorations, including more than 6,000 Purple Hearts. The brigade returned to the United States in 1972, where the 1st and 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry, were absorbed into the 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), and the 3rd Battalion, 319th Field Artillery was reassigned to Division Artillery in the 101st.[3][4] The remaining units of the 173rd were inactivated.
Since its reactivation in 2000, the brigade served five tours in the Middle East in support of the War on Terror. The 173rd participated in the initial invasion of Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, and had four tours in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2005–06, 2007–08, 2009–10, and 2012–13. The brigade returned most recently from a deployment stretching from late 2013 to late 2014.[3] 2/503rd 2014-2015 The 173rd Airborne Brigade has received 21 campaign streamers and several unit awards, including the Presidential Unit Citation for its actions during the Battle of Dak To.
- ^ a b "Special Unit Designations". United States Army Center of Military History. 21 April 2010. Archived from the original on 12 May 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
- ^ "Leadership". United States Army. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ a b c The 173rd Airborne Brigade History, Our History, skysoldiers.army.mil, last accessed 21 December 2020
- ^ (CMH), U.S. Army Center of Military History. "3d Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment - Lineage and Honors - U.S. Army Center of Military History (CMH)". www.history.army.mil. Archived from the original on 27 March 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.