173rd Airborne

• The 173rd Airborne Brigade was first activated in August 1917 during World War I as the 173rd Infantry Brigade. • During the Vietnam War, the 173rd Airborne Brigade made more than 1,700 combat jumps, the most in the history of the US Army. • The brigade earned the nickname "The Herd" during the Vietnam War due to the distinctive elephant symbol on their shoulder patch. • The 173rd Airborne Brigade was involved in Operation Junction City, one of the largest US operations of the Vietnam War. • In 2003, the brigade deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and conducted combat operations in the Baghdad area. • During the War in Afghanistan, the 173rd Airborne Brigade conducted operations in the eastern part of the country, including the Battle of Wanat in 2008. • The brigade has also participated in peacekeeping operations in the Balkans, including deployments to Bosnia and Kosovo. • The 173rd Airborne Brigade has earned numerous awards and decorations, including several Presidential Unit Citations. • In recent years, the brigade has conducted training exercises with European allies as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve. • The 173rd Airborne Brigade is currently stationed in Vicenza, Italy as the US Army's contingency response force for Europe.