[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 137 (Friday, August 18, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CELEBRATING THE 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION ON NATIONAL AIRBORNE DAY

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                          HON. RICHARD HUDSON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 18, 2017

  Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the men and women of 
the airborne forces as they celebrate National Airborne Day.
  El Paso, Texas--on August 16, 1940, the Army conducted their first 
test platoon jump. The idea of dropping paratroopers in combat zones 
behind enemy lines was first conceived by Brigadier General William 
Mitchell. With his guidance and leadership the first combat jump was 
conducted by members of the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry 
Regiment in 1942 during WWII in North Africa. Since this successful 
drop, our airborne forces have become a critical component of our 
military.
  Our airborne forces have dropped into the most intense combat the 
world has ever seen. Some of their most notable engagements have been 
the D-Day invasion at Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, the 
invasion of Southern France. Without the invention of the airborne, our 
armed forces would have been at a disadvantage during many of our major 
conflicts.
  The 82nd Airborne Division is headquartered right here in North 
Carolina at Fort Bragg. The Division was incorporated in the National 
Army on August 5, 1917, to support the entry of the United States into 
World War I. The 82nd Airborne Division was nicknamed the ``All 
American Division'' as a result of the spirit and diverse group of 
soldiers from all across the United States. The 82nd Airborne was the 
first division to be designated as an Airborne Division.
  Part of the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division is the 
Nation's Global Response Force and can mobilize, load, and land 
anywhere in the world in less than 36 hours to perform combat 
operations, assist United States allies, and provide humanitarian aid. 
The 82nd Airborne has participated in nearly every major United States 
conflict around the world since its inception. Some of the most notable 
engagements have been the Battle of Lorraine in World War I, Operation 
Overlord in Normandy, France in World War II, responding to the Tet 
Offensive during the Vietnam War, liberating Kuwait as one of the first 
units to engage in Operation Desert Storm, and supporting relief 
efforts after the devastating Hurricane Katrina.
  The continued success of our airborne forces has allowed the United 
States to become the global fighting force it is today. Our men and 
women in uniform represent the best our nation has to offer and I am 
proud to represent a district that has a strong military presence and 
is home to some of the bravest patriots in the country.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me today in honoring the soldiers of our 
airborne forces for their service and commitment to protecting the 
United States.

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