XVIII ABN CORPS

Relive and share the memories of your service-time with your brothers and sisters in arms today. VetFriends.com can help you reconnect.

Did you proudly serve in the XVIII ABN CORPS?

Are you looking for someone who is or was in the XVIII ABN CORPS?

Do you have XVIII ABN CORPS photos you'd like to share?

Then join a community with your brothers and sisters of the XVIII ABN CORPS.

Branch

U.S. Army

Members

About XVIII ABN CORPS

The XVIII Airborne Corps, known as "America’s Contingency Corps," was activated in 1942 during World War II and played a pivotal role in major campaigns including the Normandy invasion and Operation Market Garden. Headquartered at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), North Carolina, the Corps has served as the U.S. Army’s primary strategic response force, specializing in rapid deployment and airborne operations. Throughout the Cold War, the XVIII Airborne Corps maintained a high state of readiness, and since then has been central to operations in Panama, the Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Today, it continues to provide command and control for Army forces worldwide, embodying agility and combat power for joint and combined operations.

Unit Members

Ian Jerome

U.S. Army (1982 - 1986)

XVIII ABN CORPSView Profile

Ronald Harvey

U.S. Army

XVIII ABN CORPSView Profile

Photos

Boot Camp

Company C 1st Bn. 38th Inf. Regt. • U.S. Army • 1989

1980

101st airborne division • U.S. Army

U.S. Army

New uniform for wedding

82nd Airborne • U.S. Army • 2018

About XVIII ABN CORPS

About this Unit

Historical Facts

• Founding and World War II: The XVIII Airborne Corps ("Sky Dragons") was activated on 17 January 1942 at Camp Polk, Louisiana, and played a significant role in World War II, including actions in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. • Battle of the Bulge: The Corps was instrumental in the Battle of the Bulge, helping to stop the German offensive at Bastogne alongside the 101st Airborne Division. • Operation Market Garden: Elements of the Corps participated in Operation Market Garden, the ambitious Allied airborne operation in the Netherlands in 1944. • Nickname and Insignia: The XVIII Airborne Corps is nicknamed the "Sky Dragons." Its shoulder sleeve insignia features a dragon upon an oval, symbolizing power and airborne capabilities. • Post-WWII and Cold War: After WWII, the Corps was inactivated but later reactivated in 1951. It became a key strategic reserve during the Cold War, ready to deploy worldwide on short notice. • Operation Urgent Fury: In 1983, XVIII Airborne Corps was the headquarters for Operation Urgent Fury, the U.S. invasion of Grenada. • Gulf War Leadership: During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, the Corps commanded the largest airborne operation since WWII and led the famous "left hook" maneuver that enveloped Iraqi forces. • Current Location: The Corps is headquartered at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), North Carolina, which is known as the "Home of the Airborne and Special Operations Forces." • Rapid Deployment Force: The XVIII Airborne Corps is the U.S. Army’s primary strategic response force, capable of deploying anywhere in the world within 18 hours. • Recent Operations: The Corps has played major roles in Operations Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Iraqi Freedom, as well as providing humanitarian assistance during natural disasters.