3rd 73rd (Airborne)Armor Ft.Bragg NC

• Unique Unit Type: The 3rd Battalion, 73rd Armor (Airborne) at Fort Bragg was the only airborne armor battalion in the U.S. Army during its tenure, specializing in deploying light armored vehicles by parachute. • Legacy of the 73rd Armor: The battalion traces its lineage back to World War II, originally activated as the 756th Tank Battalion in 1942, and later redesignated as the 73rd Armor. • Venerable "Sheridans": The primary vehicle used by the battalion was the M551 Sheridan, a light, air-droppable armored reconnaissance/airborne assault vehicle. • Gulf War Deployment: Elements of 3-73 Armor deployed to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, where they supported airborne and mechanized operations. • Panama Invasion: The battalion was a vital part of Operation Just Cause in 1989, parachuting M551 Sheridans into Panama to support the 82nd Airborne Division. • Unusual Parachute Drops: The Sheridan tanks were dropped from C-130 and C-141 aircraft using large parachutes, making for dramatic and risky airdrops during both exercises and combat. • Distinctive Beret Flash: The battalion wore the 82nd Airborne Division’s famous “AA” patch and maroon beret, signifying their airborne status and unique role. • Deactivation: The 3-73rd Armor (Airborne) was inactivated in 1997, marking the end of the airborne armor concept in the U.S. Army. • Combat Training: Troopers of 3-73 Armor regularly participated in large-scale airborne assaults and live-fire exercises, honing rapid deployment and armored tactics unique among U.S. Army units. • Legacy Preserved: Veterans of the battalion maintain an active association, and the unit's history is commemorated at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, North Carolina.