Post War Preparedness

While several Army airborne units were inactivated after the war, the highly decorated 82d returned to Fort Bragg to vigorously and pridefully maintain the high state of readiness it showed during its long service in World War II.

Since then, the All Americans’ work has never stopped… In 1947, some 82d elements participated in Operation Combine, a mock air to ground assault “invading Forces” from Florida. That winter, it was off to New York State dressed in white winter outfits to the freezing snow linden fields of Camp Drum for Operation Snowdrop.

In 1948, there was a massive mock invasion exercise at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and a joint exercise in Florida with the members of the Navy, Air Force and Marines.

Since the end of World War II, the 82d Airborne Division has gone through numerous changes of equipment and weapons as well as organizational adjustments.

Within a half-dozen years the demise of the Axis forces, the strategic reserve quality of the 82d America’s most experienced division of paratroopers was crystallizing. That can be seen in documents detailing the fact that during the Korean Conflict, Commanding General Douglas A. MacArthur sought to utilize the All American in a combat drop during the crucial Inchon landing. However, superiors nixed that idea, apparently signifying a desire to keep the All Americans for any other uprisings in other locations where freedom was in jeopardy. The 82d was the only strategic reserve unit ready to move in the states.

In 1958, that “first strike” policy was more formally expressed when the XVIII Airborne Corps under which the 82d Division serves, was designated as the strategic Army Corps command for rapid strike “first-in” mission trouble sports worldwide. With that, readiness training and joint exercises with other military units continued at an even greater pace.

The need for a rapid deployment force was further underscored because of the Cuban crisis of 1962. Three years later, when a power keg erupted in the Caribbean, the 82d was ready.

Strategic Reaction, 1965-1992

Since the mid-1960’s the 82d Airborne Division has had to fulfill its primary strategic reaction mission three times in the Caribbean region: Dominican Republic (1965), Grenada (1983), and Panama (1989) and once in Vietnam (3rd Brigade, 1968-1969). Each of these actions demonstrated the combat readiness of the division. In every instance, the division was able to move on short notice straight into combat.

Dominican Republic

In April 1965, the All Americans were doing their normal rigorous training when elements were alerted in response to a civil war raging in the Dominican Republic. Spearheaded by elements of the 3rd Brigade, the 82d deployed to the Caribbean in Operation Power Pack. Peace and stability were restored by Jun 17, when the rebel guns were silenced. The paratroopers spent the rest of their time performing security and humanitarian returned to Fort Bragg.