B.Co 4:68th LT.ABN ARMOR, FT BRAGG, N.C.

• Origins: B Company, 4th Battalion, 68th Armor (Light Airborne), was part of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, providing a unique airborne armor capability. • Unique Role: As an airborne armor unit, B Co 4/68th deployed light tanks (such as the M551 Sheridan) by parachute, supporting paratroopers with armored firepower after air assault. • M551 Sheridan: The unit operated the M551 Sheridan, an air-droppable and amphibious light tank armed with a 152mm gun/launcher, allowing for rapid deployment behind enemy lines. • Operation Just Cause: Elements of the 4/68th Armor participated in the 1989 invasion of Panama, where Sheridans were parachuted in and proved their value in urban and jungle environments. • Cold War Readiness: During the 1970s and 1980s, B Co 4/68th maintained a high readiness posture, prepared to deploy worldwide on short notice as part of the XVIII Airborne Corps. • Rapid Deployment: The company regularly participated in high-profile exercises such as REFORGER and Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) rotations, demonstrating their rapid deployment and integration with airborne infantry. • Distinctive Insignia: Members wore the 82nd Airborne Division patch, symbolizing their airborne status, and the unique black beret, later replaced by the maroon airborne beret. • Airborne Armor Challenges: The unit trained extensively in the complexities of parachuting armored vehicles, including challenges with vehicle damage and the logistics of recovery after drops. • Deactivation: The B Co 4/68th Armor was inactivated in the 1990s as part of post-Cold War drawdowns, marking the end of dedicated airborne armor units in the U.S. Army. • Veteran Camaraderie: Former members maintain strong bonds, with reunions and online groups sharing stories, photos, and memories of their unique service in airborne armor at Fort Bragg.