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XVIII Airborne Corps
XVIII Airborne Corps
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II Armored Corps
XVIII Corps
XVIII Airborne Corps
The XVIII Army Airborne Corps shoulder sleeve insignia
Active1942–1945
1951–present
Country United States
Branch United States Army
TypeCorps
Part of U.S. Army Forces Command
Garrison/HQFort Bragg, North Carolina, U.S.
MottoSky Dragons
Color of Beret  Maroon
EngagementsWorld War II

Persian Gulf War
Global War on Terrorism

Websitehome.army.mil/bragg/index.php/units-tenants/xviii-airborne-co
Commanders
Current
commander		LTG Gregory K. Anderson
Notable
commanders		Matthew Ridgway
John W. Leonard
James J. Lindsay
Thomas J. H. Trapnell
William C. Westmoreland
John W. Bowen
Henry E. Emerson
Hugh Shelton
Lloyd James Austin III
Michael Kurilla
Insignia
Combat service identification badge
Distinctive unit insignia
Flag
Beret flash
Background trimming
U.S. Corps (1939–present)
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XVI Corps (United States) XIX Corps (United States)

The XVIII Airborne Corps is a corps of the United States Army that has been in existence since 1942 and saw extensive service during World War II. The corps is designed for rapid deployment anywhere in the world and is referred to as "America's Contingency Corps." Its headquarters are at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.[1]

History

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Earlier formations known as XVIII Corps

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The modern XVIII Airborne Corps is not lineally related to two earlier U.S. Army formations known as "XVIII Corps." The first XVIII Corps was authorized by the National Defense Act of 1920 and constituted in the Regular Army on 29 July 1921. The headquarters and headquarters company were organized on 23 August 1922 with Organized Reserve personnel as "Regular Army Inactive" (RAI) units at Dallas, Texas. The headquarters company was withdrawn from the Eighth Corps Area on 11 January 1927, allotted to the Seventh Corps Area, and organized on 3 August 1927 at Kansas City, Missouri, and relocated on 12 October 1931 to Sioux City, Iowa. The corps headquarters was withdrawn from the Regular Army on 1 October 1933 and demobilized, while the headquarters company remained allotted to the Regular Army.

The second iteration of the XVIII Corps was constituted in the Organized Reserve on 1 October 1933, allotted to the Eighth Corps Area, and assigned to the Third Army. The headquarters was concurrently initiated at San Antonio, Texas, with Reserve personnel previously assigned to the demobilized XVIII Corps (RAI). Concurrently, the headquarters company, XVIII Corps was withdrawn from the Seventh Corps Area and reallotted to the Eighth Corps Area, and reorganized on 25 February 1935 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The corps headquarters was redesignated on 1 January 1941 as Headquarters, XVIII Army Corps. The XVIII Corps was not activated prior to World War II and was located in San Antonio as of 7 December 1941 in an inactive reserve status. It was disbanded on 5 September 1945.[2]

World War II

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  • II Armored Corps
    II Armored Corps
  • XVIII Corps
    XVIII Corps
  • XVIII Airborne Corps
    XVIII Airborne Corps

The present XVIII Airborne Corps was constituted in the Regular Army on 14 January 1942, five weeks after the entry of the United States into World War II, as the II Armored Corps, and was activated on 17 January 1942 at Camp Polk, Louisiana, under the command of Major General William Henry Harrison Morris, Jr. When the concept of armored corps proved unnecessary, II Armored Corps was re-designated as XVIII Corps on 9 October 1943 at the Presidio of Monterey, California.[3]

XVIII Corps deployed to Europe on 17 August 1944 and became the XVIII Airborne Corps on 25 August 1944 at Ogbourne St. George, England, assuming command of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, as part of the preparation for Operation Market Garden. Prior to this time, the two divisions were assigned to VII Corps and jumped into Normandy during Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy, as part of VII Corps.[4]

Major General Matthew Bunker Ridgway, a highly experienced airborne commander who had led the 82nd Airborne Division in Sicily, Italy and Normandy, was chosen to command the corps, which then consisted of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and was part of the newly created First Allied Airborne Army.

The corps headquarters did not see service in Operation Market Garden, with the British I Airborne Corps being chosen instead to exercise operational command of all Allied airborne forces in the operation, including the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions.

Following the Battle of the Bulge, in which the corps played a significant part (and which, during the early stages of the battle, the corps was commanded by Major General James M. Gavin of the 82nd Airborne), all American airborne units on the Western Front fell under command of the corps. XVIII Airborne Corps planned and executed Operation Varsity, the airborne component of Operation Plunder, the crossing of the River Rhine into Germany. It was one of the largest airborne operations of the war, with the British 6th and U.S. 17th Airborne Divisions under command.[5]

US World War II Armored Corps
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I Armored Corps (United States) III US Armored Corps

After taking part in the Western Allied invasion of Germany, the XVIII Airborne Corps, still under Ridgway, returned to the United States in June 1945 and was initially to take part in the invasion of Japan, codenamed Operation Downfall. However, the Japanese surrendered just weeks later and XVIII Airborne Corps was inactivated on 15 October 1945 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.[5]

World War II units

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Cold War

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The Corps was reactivated at Fort Bragg on 21 May 1951 under the command of Major General John W. Leonard. Since then, the corps has been the primary strategic response force, with subordinate units participating in over a dozen major operations (listed below) in both combat and humanitarian roles, primarily in Central America and the CENTCOM area of responsibility.[6]

In 1958 the XVIII Airborne Corps was given the additional mission of becoming the Strategic Army Corps. The corps was now tasked, in addition, to provide a flexible strike capability that could deploy worldwide, on short notice, without a declaration of an emergency. The 4th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington, and the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, were designated as STRAC's first-line divisions, while the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas, and the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg were to provide backup in the event of general war. The 5th Logistical Command (later inactivated), also at Fort Bragg, would provide the corps with logistics support, while Fort Bragg's XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery would control artillery units.[7]

The Corps deployed forces to the United States occupation of the Dominican Republic ('Operation Power Pack') in 1965.

The Corps deployed forces to the Vietnam War, including the entire 101st Airborne Division and the 3rd Brigade of the 82nd Airborne division.

In 1967 elements of the Corps were deployed to Detroit to suppress riots, and also to The Congo to support the government there and to rescue civilian hostages as part of Operation Dragon Rouge.

In 1982 the Corps first rotated elements to the Sinai Peninsula as part of the Multinational Force and Observers (UN) to guarantee the Camp David Peace Accords. [8]

In 1983 elements of the Corps were deployed to the island of Grenada as part of Operation Urgent Fury, with the stated goal of reestablishing the democratically elected government.

In 1989 XVIII Airborne Corps, commanded by then LTG Carl Stiner, participated in the invasion of Panama in Operation Just Cause. Stiner served concurrently as Commander of Joint Task Force South.

Structure in 1989

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NATO Symbol
XVIII (US)

At the end of the Cold War in 1989 the corps consisted of the following formations and units:

Desert Storm

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In 1991, XVIII Airborne Corps participated in the Persian Gulf War. The corps was responsible for securing VII Corps' northern flank against a possible Iraqi counterattack. Along with the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, 24th Infantry Division and 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, XVIII Airborne Corps also gained operational control of the French 6th Light Armor Division (LAD) (which also included units from the French Foreign Legion).

During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery consisted of the 3d Battalion, 8th Field Artillery; 5th Battalion, 8th Field Artillery; and the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 39th Field Artillery. The living quarters for these three units were situated between the 82d Airborne Division and the Special Forces at Fort Bragg. Of the three units, only 1–39th was airborne qualified and served as the only fully airborne deployable 155 mm Field Artillery unit in history.[citation needed] The 1–39th FA and 3–8th FA were key components of the thrust into Iraq in the first Gulf War, providing fire support for the French Foreign Legion and the 82nd Airborne Division.

The 5th Battalion, 8th Field Artillery also served in a major support role for 82d and French troops during the Gulf War. It consisted of three individual batteries. Batteries A and B were Airborne-qualified, while Battery C was air assault. Batteries A and B were assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina and Battery C was assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky. All of the battalions were subsequently re-flagged during the years following the Gulf War.

Task Force 118 had flown the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior off naval vessels during Operation Prime Chance in the 1980s, operating against Iran in the Persian Gulf. It was redesignated the 4th Squadron, 17th Cavalry on 15 January 1991.[41] During the Gulf War of 1991 it was part of the 18th Aviation Brigade.

Major formations, 1950–2006

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The 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions have served with the corps since the 1950s. The 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) was 'reflagged' as the 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) in April 1996.[42]

21st century

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Main article: Transformation of the United States Army
The XVIII Airborne Corps command group, led by LTG (later GEN) Lloyd J. Austin, returns home from Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009

The Corps headquarters was deployed to Afghanistan from May 2002 – 2003, and became Combined Joint Task Force 180 for the deployment.

XVIII Airborne Corps was deployed from January 2005 to January 2006 to Baghdad, Iraq, where it served as the Multi-National Corps – Iraq. Following its return, XVIII Airborne Corps and its subordinate units began the process of modernization and reorganization.

Under the previous Army Chief of Staff's future restructure of the Army, the corps headquarters of the XVIII Airborne Corps will lose its airborne (specifically parachute) certification as a cost-cutting measure—the same will occur to the divisional headquarters of the 82nd Airborne Division. This plan is designed to follow the U.S. Army's restructuring plan to go from being division-based to brigade-based. This will mean that the largest units that will be airborne – specifically parachute certified – will be at the brigade level. Even so, for traditional and historical reasons, the formation will continue to be called the XVIII Airborne Corps.

The divisions that fall under the XVIII Airborne Corps (as well as the other two corps in the Army) are in a period of transition, shifting from corps control to fall directly under FORSCOM, eliminating the corps status as a middle man. This ties in with the Army's broad modularity plan, as a corps can deploy and support any unit, not just the units subordinate to the corps. The 3d Infantry Division, the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), and the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) have already changed over to direct FORSCOM control. The 82nd Airborne Division will transfer after the division returns from Afghanistan.

In August 2006, XVIII Airborne Corps traveled to South Korea to participate in Ulchi Focus Lens, a joint training exercise between the Republic of Korea Army and coalition forces stationed there.[43]

In mid-April 2007, the Department of the Army confirmed the next OIF deployment schedule, with XVIII Airborne Corps deploying to relieve III Corps as the MNC-I at Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq. XVIII Airborne Corps is scheduled to replace III Corps in November 2007. The corps will deploy along with 1st Armored Division and 4th Infantry Division, as well as 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and 1st BCT, 82nd Airborne Division.[44]

On 21 December 2016, Stars and Stripes reported that in August the XVIII Airborne Corps deployed to Iraq for Operation Inherent Resolve, in December this included the XVIII Airborne Corps headquarters and the 1st Special Forces Command, which is deployed as the Special Operations Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve. The 18th Field Artillery Brigade deployed into Iraq with High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems.[45]

A Canadian Army General has served with the XVIII Corps since 2007.[46]

XVIII Airborne Corps returned to Fort Bragg (which was then-named Fort Liberty), in October 2022 after a nine-month deployment to Germany, in support of NATO and European Allies and partners.[47] The mission was to provide a joint task force-capable headquarters in light of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[48]

Structure

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XVIII Corps organization 2021 (click to enlarge)

XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg[49]

Other supporting units:

Operations

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The corps has participated in a number of operations since then:

Commanders

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Individuals who have commanded XVIII Airborne Corps include:[50][51][52][53][54]

Notable members

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

XVIII Airborne Corps

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from Grokipedia
The XVIII Airborne Corps is the Army's primary contingency corps, specializing in rapid global deployment, airborne operations, and command of joint and coalition forces to deter or defeat adversaries without advance warning. Headquartered at Fort Liberty, , it serves as America's strategic response force, capable of projecting power worldwide within 18 hours via air, land, or sea. Originally activated on January 17, 1942, as the II Armored Corps at Camp Polk, , it was redesignated the XVIII Corps on October 9, 1942, and became the XVIII Airborne Corps on August 25, 1944, to oversee airborne divisions during . Since 1951, the corps has been based at Fort Liberty, evolving into a versatile headquarters for expeditionary missions under U.S. Army Forces Command. The corps commands a diverse array of units, including the , , , 3rd Infantry Division, and various sustainment, artillery, engineer, and military police brigades, enabling scalable operations from brigade combat teams to full corps-level maneuvers. Its defining characteristics include expeditionary readiness, seamless integration of and multinational partners, and a focus on high-mobility forces for crisis response, as demonstrated in deployments supporting , such as assistance to communities after natural disasters. Notable achievements encompass leading coalition efforts in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, where it orchestrated the massive left-hook maneuver against Iraqi forces; commanding Multi-National Corps-Iraq from 2005 to 2006; and assuming responsibility for defeating in 2016 under , training over 13,500 Iraqi security forces during prior rotations. Currently led by Gregory K. Anderson since December 2024, the corps continues to innovate in areas like data warfare and Pacific theater exercises to maintain operational edge. While the corps has adapted its multiple times for modular warfare, including activations and inactivations since to enhance adaptability, it remains unencumbered by major controversies, prioritizing empirical readiness over doctrinal rigidity. This focus on causal effectiveness in underscores its role as the Army's vanguard for unforeseen contingencies.

Origins and World War II Service

Activation and Early Operations

The XVIII Airborne Corps traces its lineage to the II Armored Corps, which was activated on January 17, 1942, at Camp Polk, , shortly after the entered . This activation occurred amid rapid U.S. military expansion to counter Axis threats, with the corps initially focused on training and organization rather than airborne capabilities. On October 9, 1943, the unit was redesignated as the XVIII Corps at the , shifting emphasis toward a more flexible corps structure while retaining armored elements. The corps remained stateside through early 1944, undergoing further reorganization to incorporate emerging airborne doctrine influenced by successful operations in and . The redesignation to XVIII Airborne Corps took place on August 25, 1944, at Ogbourne St. George, England, following the corps' deployment to Europe on August 17, 1944; this marked its formal transition to commanding airborne forces under Major General Matthew B. Ridgway, previously of the 82nd Airborne Division. Upon activation, it assumed control of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, which had returned from Normandy operations, with the 17th Airborne Division arriving from the United States shortly thereafter to complete its core structure of three airborne divisions supported by corps artillery and aviation elements. Early operations centered on preparations for large-scale airborne assaults in support of the Allied advance into . The corps' first major combat role came during , launched on September 17, 1944, where it directed the airborne phases involving over 34,000 paratroopers and glidermen from the 82nd and 101st Divisions dropping into the to seize key bridges along a 60-mile corridor from to . Ridgway's headquarters coordinated with the , emphasizing rapid seizure of objectives to enable ground forces of the British 30 Corps to advance; however, logistical challenges, German resistance, and adverse weather limited success, particularly at , resulting in heavy casualties and failure to secure the crossing. This operation tested the corps' for multi-division airborne maneuvers, informing subsequent tactical refinements.

Key Campaigns and Units

The XVIII Airborne Corps was redesignated from the XVIII Corps as the U.S. XVIII Airborne Corps on August 27, 1944, at Ogbourne St. George, England, under the command of Major General Matthew B. Ridgway. Its core subordinate units included the 82nd Airborne Division and 101st Airborne Division at activation, with the 17th Airborne Division joining later in the European Theater. These divisions formed the corps' primary maneuver elements, supported by artillery, engineer, and logistical attachments as needed for airborne operations. The corps' first major engagement was , commencing September 17, 1944, which aimed to seize a series of bridges in the to enable a rapid Allied advance into . Under Ridgway's oversight within the , the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions executed airborne drops to capture objectives along the route, securing initial bridges such as those at and but failing to link up fully due to fierce German counterattacks and supply line vulnerabilities, particularly at . In response to the German Ardennes Offensive, known as the , which began on December 16, 1944, General directed the XVIII Airborne Corps to reinforce the northern sector without delay. The arrived swiftly, securing key terrain including Trois Ponts by December 20, 1944, and contributing to the containment of German spearheads. The , operating in the southern bulge area, famously defended against encirclement, enabling critical resupply and Allied counteroffensives, though initially under different corps command before broader airborne coordination. These actions helped stabilize the front and contributed to the eventual defeat of the offensive by January 1945. The corps concluded its airborne operations with on March 24, 1945, the largest single-day airborne assault of the war, involving over 16,000 paratroopers and glider troops from the 17th Airborne Division and British 6th Airborne Division. Dropped across the Rhine River near , , the operation captured bridgeheads, disrupted German defenses, and facilitated rapid ground advances, resulting in over 8,000 prisoners taken and significant territorial gains in the subsequent days leading to the Allied push into central .

Cold War Developments

Reorganization and Structure

The XVIII Airborne Corps was reactivated on May 21, 1951, at Fort Bragg, , amid the U.S. Army's expansion in response to the , serving as the primary command for airborne operations and rapid-response forces. Its initial structure centered on the headquarters and headquarters company, with the as the core maneuver unit, supplemented by specialized support elements including the XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery, designated on May 1, 1951, and activated concurrently to provide organic fire support with field artillery battalions equipped for airborne assault. This organization emphasized lightweight, deployable assets capable of parachute operations, with approximately 15,000 personnel under corps control in the early 1950s, focused on training and deterrence against Soviet threats in . In May 1958, the corps underwent a pivotal reorganization by being designated the Strategic Army Corps (STRAC), transforming it into the U.S. 's premier for global emergencies and marking a shift toward institutionalized rapid deployment . Under STRAC, the structure prioritized expeditionary readiness, with mandated timelines for airlifting forces—a within 24 hours, a within 48 hours, and a reinforced division within 96 hours—supported by dedicated liaison and units integrated at the level. Key subordinate units included the at Fort Bragg, the at , , and rotational attachments like the 187th Airborne until its inactivation in 1957, alongside groups for sustainment in austere environments. This framework enhanced causal effectiveness for power projection, drawing on empirical lessons from Korea to counter potential aggression through pre-positioned reserves and frequent airborne exercises. During the 1960s and 1970s, incremental structural adjustments adapted the to evolving threats, including the integration of helicopter assets as the 101st transitioned to airmobile configuration in 1968, expanding the corps' operational reach beyond pure parachute assaults while retaining airborne certification for all major units. By the , amid heightened Reagan-era focus on conventional deterrence, the organization incorporated modular enhancements such as the 18th Aviation Brigade for rotary-wing support and dedicated military police and engineer battalions, enabling command of hybrid forces including divisions like the during exercises. The maintained oversight of roughly 70,000 troops across assigned divisions, with specialized cells for , fires, and protection, culminating in a 1989 configuration that featured the 18th Personnel Group, 18th Finance Group, and 1st Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery for theater air defense, reflecting data-driven refinements for sustained contingency operations without compromising mobility. These changes preserved the ' as a scalable , verifiable through participation in REFORGER exercises that validated deployment timelines against contingencies.

Training and Readiness Exercises

The XVIII Airborne Corps maintained operational readiness during the through structured airborne training emphasizing parachute assaults, rapid force projection, and integration with allied forces to deter Soviet aggression in . Post-World War II, functioned as a primary airborne maneuver area for corps units, facilitating large-scale jumps and tactical exercises in realistic terrain. In the 1950s, the facility supported specialized training for the newly formed 10th Group, incorporating drills alongside conventional airborne operations to build versatile contingency capabilities. Corps-level exercises in the and focused on tiered progression from battalion-level proficiency to division-scale maneuvers, including annual parachute qualifications and airland operations at Fort Bragg to ensure swift response to reinforcement needs. By the 1980s, training incorporated emerging technologies, such as the corps' Tactical Information Control System tested in exercises like Solid Shield, Positive Leap, and local Bragg maneuvers, enhancing for high-tempo airborne insertions. These efforts culminated in demonstrations of mass airborne capability, including a 1980 exercise involving the 18th Airborne Corps in what was reported as the largest such operation since , underscoring readiness for rapid global deployment. The corps operated under continuous alert status to support the U.S. 7th Army and contingencies, participating in broader readiness drills simulating incursions, though specific REFORGER involvement emphasized subordinate units like the 82nd Airborne Division's contributions to European reinforcement. This regimen prioritized empirical validation of deployment timelines, with coordination exercises validating the ability to project corps assets across the Atlantic within days, aligning with doctrinal requirements for crisis response.

Gulf War and Immediate Post-Cold War Era

Operation Desert Shield and Storm

In response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990, the United States initiated Operation Desert Shield to deter further Iraqi aggression into Saudi Arabia, with the XVIII Airborne Corps designated as the primary rapid deployment force under Lieutenant General Gary E. Luck. The corps' 82nd Airborne Division began deploying from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, on August 8, 1990, marking the first major U.S. ground combat units to arrive and establishing a defensive line along the Saudi-Kuwaiti border. By late August, the corps had assembled approximately 45,000 troops, including elements of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), which completed its deployment by early October, enabling the construction of fortified positions and logistical sustainment for over 500,000 coalition personnel by January 1991. As Operation Desert Storm commenced with an air campaign on January 17, 1991, the XVIII Airborne Corps, now comprising the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized), the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, and attached units such as the French 6th Light Armored Division, positioned for the coalition's western envelopment maneuver. On February 24, 1991, the ground offensive began, with the corps advancing over 200 miles into Iraq within 72 hours, securing key objectives like the 73 Easting and Tallil airfields while employing deception operations to mask its flanking movement from Iraqi forces. The 101st Airborne Division executed deep air assaults, including the seizure of Highway 8 on February 24 to interdict Iraqi supply lines, supported by the 18th Aviation Brigade's helicopters that airlifted the 1st Brigade Combat Team across the Tigris-Euphrates valley. By February 26, elements of the XVIII Airborne Corps linked with VII Corps in a , trapping and destroying retreating Iraqi divisions near the Kuwaiti border, resulting in the capture of over 20,000 prisoners and the neutralization of more than 300 tanks with coalition losses limited to 35 for the corps. The corps' rapid maneuver, leveraging airborne and capabilities, contributed to the overall victory by February 28, 1991, when a was declared, demonstrating the effectiveness of against a numerically superior but logistically strained adversary. Post-ceasefire, the corps facilitated the withdrawal of forces, redeploying to the by May 1991 while handing off humanitarian and stability tasks.

Early 1990s Interventions

In December 1992, Lieutenant General , commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps, assumed leadership of the (UNITAF) for Operation Restore Hope in , directing a of approximately 37,000 personnel, including 21,000 U.S. troops, to secure distribution amid and clan warfare. Subordinate units, organized under from the (Light Infantry), deployed starting late December 1992, with the 2nd Brigade securing key sectors such as , Balli Doogle, , and Kismaayo through air assaults and patrols; by late December, these efforts stabilized food deliveries, enabling the offloading of 40,000 tons of grain. The 5th Group (Airborne) provided initial and from 1992 under Operation Provide Relief, while the 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne) distributed over 7 million leaflets and conducted radio broadcasts to support relief efforts. UNITAF transitioned to the United Nations Operation in Somalia II (UNOSOM II) in May 1993, with XVIII Airborne Corps elements retaining operational roles, including a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) from the 10th Division's 1st , comprising the 1-22 Battalion and 3-25 with AH-1 Cobras, UH-60 Black Hawks, and OH-58 scouts. Major General Thomas M. Montgomery served as deputy UNOSOM II commander and U.S. Forces Somalia (USFORSOM) commander, overseeing the QRF's engagements in , (May 9–20, 1993), and Bardera (May 29–June 3, 1993). Ranger, deployed August 31, 1993, conducted raids against leader , capturing associates like Osman Atto on September 21, 1993, but the October 3–4 Battle of Mogadishu resulted in 16 U.S. fatalities and 57 wounded after two Black Hawks were downed, prompting a QRF rescue involving armored reinforcements and leading to phased U.S. withdrawals by March 25, 1994. The 82nd Medical Company (Air Ambulance) logged 622 missions, transporting 1,280 patients across 313 flight hours from August 27, 1993, to March 31, 1994. Shifting to Haiti in 1994, the XVIII Airborne Corps formed (JTF) 180 as the command headquarters for , tasked with restoring President after the 1991 coup by General ; planning commenced January 9, 1994, developing multiple contingencies including OPLAN 2370 for forcible entry and OPLAN 2380 for permissive operations. Henry H. Shelton commanded JTF 180, coordinating with JTF 190 ( under David C. Meade) and integrating the , 3rd Group, and 16th Military Police Brigade; an initial by the 's 1st secured International Airport on September 19, 1994, following last-minute negotiations by former President on September 17–18 that enabled a non-combat entry and Cedras's departure by October 13. The 2nd operated in Cap Haitien amid a brief firefight, while forces disarmed the Haitian Armed Forces, collecting 14,943 weapons and neutralizing opposition with minimal U.S. casualties. Aristide returned to power on October 15, 1994, under Corps oversight from the , with multinational partners like CARICOM and battalions contributing to stabilization; the 25th Infantry Division relieved the 10th Mountain in December 1994 to train the and support elections in June and fall 1995, though reached only 28 percent for the presidential contest. JTF 180 transitioned authority to the (UNMIH) on March 31, 1995, after establishing basic security but facing persistent challenges from and low public engagement, highlighting limits in achieving enduring societal reform through military means alone.

Global War on Terror Engagements

Iraq and Afghanistan Deployments

The XVIII Airborne Corps headquarters deployed to from January 2005 to January 2006, forming the nucleus of Multi-National Corps-Iraq (MNC-I) and coordinating coalition forces during a period of intensified operations following the January 2005 Iraqi elections. Under Lieutenant General , the Corps oversaw approximately 150,000 U.S. and coalition troops, focusing on securing and supporting the transition to amid . The deployment emphasized rapid force projection, with the Corps integrating airborne and capabilities to respond to urban threats and networks. In February 2008, the Corps redeployed to as MNC-I under Lloyd J. Austin III, assuming command on February 10 amid the surge's drawdown phase and assuming responsibility for over 160,000 troops across 15 provinces. This 15-month rotation, the longest in the Corps' , prioritized transitioning authority to Iraqi forces, conducting joint operations, and reducing U.S. combat exposure while maintaining stability during provincial elections. Approximately 900 headquarters personnel returned to Fort Bragg by April 2009, having facilitated the handover of key sectors to Iraqi control. The Corps headquarters deployed to Afghanistan from May 2002 to early 2003, establishing Combined Joint Task Force 180 (CJTF-180) to command U.S. and coalition operations in the eastern and southern regions following Operation Anaconda. Under Lieutenant General Dan K. McNeill, CJTF-180 integrated elements from the 10th Mountain Division and other units to conduct stability operations, dismantle al-Qaeda remnants, and build Afghan National Army capacity amid tribal insurgencies. The effort marked an early shift toward nation-building, with the Corps staff merging temporarily with divisional elements until October 2003 to sustain command continuity. In January 2014, the Corps headquarters returned to Afghanistan as the core staff for Joint Command (ISAF JC), overseeing the final NATO combat mission and transitioning security responsibilities to Afghan forces by December 2014. Led by Joseph Anderson, the deployment supported planning, coordinating with approximately 13,000 U.S. troops focused on training and advising amid persistent threats. The Corps facilitated the drawdown of combat units, marking its role as the last major U.S. headquarters to depart the theater.

Command and Control Roles

The XVIII Airborne Corps provided expeditionary (C2) for multinational operations during the Global War on Terror, deploying its as a scalable operational to synchronize , interagency, and forces in theater-level and stability missions. In , it commanded Multi-National Corps-Iraq (MNC-I) from January 2005 to January 2006 under John R. Vines, overseeing approximately 227,000 personnel at the time of handover and directing efforts to train , counter , and support national elections. A second rotation from February 2008 to March 2009, under Lloyd J. Austin III, focused on transitioning security responsibilities to Iraqi forces while maintaining operational tempo across divided battlespaces. As MNC-I, the Corps integrated disparate command structures, managing tactical control of divisions, brigades, and enablers through digital battlespace management tools including the Global Command and Control System (GCCS), Army Battle Command Systems (ABCS), Command Post of the Future (CPOF), and FusionNet for and a unified (COP). Preparations emphasized interoperability across four networks (, , CENTRIXS, JWICS) via advance deployments, command post exercises like Ulchi Focus Lens, and Battle Command Training Program scenarios to address challenges such as 300+ fragmented databases and radio frequency spectrum congestion from 82,000 frequencies. These efforts enabled real-time data fusion and reduced C2 friction in a joint environment, though training shortfalls in complex systems persisted. In Afghanistan, the Corps headquarters augmented Combined Forces Command and later NATO structures, deploying in 2014 to lead advisory and transition operations under Resolute Support, providing C2 for train-advise-assist commands and coordinating with amid drawdown. This role leveraged the Corps' rapid deployment expertise to integrate , conventional units, and coalition partners, returning in December 2014 after facilitating security handovers. Across both theaters, subordinate elements like the extended Corps C2 for specialized functions, such as overseeing Role 3 medical facilities and evacuation operations.

Contemporary Operations and Reforms

Post-2011 Missions

Following the conclusion of major combat operations in and , the XVIII Airborne Corps shifted emphasis toward rapid global response capabilities, including command of multinational task forces in emerging theaters. In July 2016, the corps headquarters deployed to , assuming responsibility for Combined Joint Task Force - (CJTF-OIR), the U.S.-led coalition effort to defeat the and (ISIS). Under Lieutenant General , the corps oversaw coalition operations, including advisory support to Iraqi forces, airstrikes, and logistics coordination, contributing to the territorial defeat of ISIS caliphate by 2019. The headquarters remained in the region for over a year, managing daily operational tempo before redeploying elements in 2018-2019. In February 2022, amid Russia's invasion of , approximately 300 personnel from the corps rapidly deployed to to establish a Joint Task Force-capable , enhancing for U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USARAF) and supporting allies through reinforced deterrence postures. This nine-month rotation facilitated integration with European partners, logistics sustainment for additional U.S. forces, and under U.S. European Command, culminating in the ' return to Fort Liberty in October 2022. Secretary of Defense visited the returning Soldiers to commend their role in bolstering alliance readiness. The corps also supported domestic contingency operations, including in October 2024, when it coordinated delivery to communities devastated by Hurricane Helene, leveraging subordinate sustainment units for supply distribution and recovery efforts. These missions underscored the corps' role as America's contingency force, prioritizing agile deployment and joint interoperability amid shifting global threats.

Modernization Efforts and Recent Deployments (2020s)

In the early 2020s, the XVIII Airborne Corps advanced its modernization through participation in the U.S. Army's Project Convergence series, focusing on integrating emerging technologies for multi-domain operations. During Project Convergence Capstone 5 in March 2025, Corps elements collaborated with the and 1st Armored Division to test next-generation (NGC2) systems, enabling rapid decision-making across joint forces. These experiments emphasized cloud-to-edge computing architectures, with the Corps evaluating dual edge node variants to reduce deployment footprints and enhance data processing in contested environments. Additionally, the Corps conducted Scarlet Dragon exercises, such as the August 2025 iteration spanning five states, to refine tools like the Maven Smart System for intelligence fusion and operational planning. To foster bottom-up innovation, the Corps implemented programs like the Airborne Innovation Lab and pitch competitions, where soldiers prototyped solutions for battlefield challenges, including lightweight data transport and reduced logistical burdens via Dragon Cloud systems tested in 2022. These efforts aligned with the Army's shift toward large-scale combat operations, emphasizing airborne proficiency, joint forcible entry, and scalable command structures for global response within 18 hours. By 2025, such initiatives had equipped the Corps with updated tactics, including HIMARS integration demonstrations for partners, enhancing deterrence capabilities. Recent deployments centered on European deterrence amid Russian aggression. In February 2022, roughly 300 headquarters personnel deployed to , , to support reinforcement following Russia's invasion of , marking the Corps' role as America's contingency force. The full headquarters element completed a nine-month , providing operational for U.S. and allied forces, before returning to Fort Liberty on October 28, 2022. Post-return, the Corps emphasized rotational training and exercises over sustained deployments, conducting international operations from May 2023 to September 2024, including Ulchi Freedom Shield with allies. In 2025, activities included a in September and Scarlet Dragon, simulating multi-service responses to validate rapid global projection. These honed readiness for hybrid threats, with no major combat commitments reported by October 2025, reflecting a pivot from to peer competition.

Organizational Framework

Headquarters and Basing

The headquarters of the XVIII Airborne Corps is located at Fort Liberty, , which functions as the central hub for the corps' command, control, and administrative operations. This installation, renamed from Fort Bragg in June 2023 as part of a broader U.S. initiative to eliminate Confederate-associated names from bases, spans over 251 square miles and supports airborne and training essential to the corps' mission. The specific headquarters facility is situated at 2-1120 Macomb Street, facilitating rapid decision-making for global deployments. The corps has maintained its primary basing at this location since 1951, following its redesignation as an airborne formation and relocation from earlier sites. Originally activated as the II Armored Corps on January 17, 1942, at Camp Polk, , the unit evolved through designations before adopting its current airborne focus and permanent headquarters at what is now Fort Liberty to leverage proximity to key airborne assets like the . This basing strategy emphasizes readiness for contingency operations, with the headquarters battalion and support elements co-located to enable swift mobilization of forces worldwide. As "America's Contingency Corps," the XVIII Airborne Corps employs a distributed basing model for its headquarters to integrate with U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort Liberty, ensuring operational flexibility without concentrating all assets in one locale. Subordinate headquarters elements, such as reception and training companies, operate from adjacent facilities like Building 4-1437 Normandy Drive, supporting incoming personnel and maintaining high operational tempo. This configuration aligns with the corps' role in deterring adversaries and projecting power, drawing on Fort Liberty's infrastructure for airborne operations, , and joint exercises.

Subordinate Formations and Capabilities

The XVIII Airborne Corps maintains a headquarters at Fort Liberty, , with permanent subordinate formations consisting primarily of and sustainment brigades that enable rapid power projection and operational sustainment. These include the 16th Military Police Brigade, responsible for and security operations; the , providing fires support with multiple launch rocket systems and howitzers; the 20th Engineer Brigade, focused on mobility, countermobility, and survivability tasks; the 35th Signal Brigade, delivering expeditionary communications; the , offering combat health support; and the , conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Additionally, the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command supports logistics across theater operations. For major combat operations, the corps exercises operational control over assigned divisions, typically including the for airborne assault capabilities, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) for helicopter-borne mobility, the for in austere environments, and the 3rd Infantry Division for mechanized rapid response. These divisions, totaling over 100,000 soldiers when fully task-organized, allow the corps to form a scalable force package tailored to mission requirements. The corps' core capabilities emphasize strategic responsiveness as America's Contingency Corps, enabling global deployment of headquarters and initial forces within 18 hours via strategic airlift, followed by sustained joint and multinational operations. It integrates airborne insertions, air assault tactics, long-range fires, engineering obstacles, , and intelligence fusion to deter adversaries or conduct decisive maneuvers, with ongoing modernization incorporating and cloud-based command systems for contested environments. This structure supports power projection from Fort Liberty, facilitating seamless integration with U.S. Transportation Command for forcible entry and theater opening.

Leadership and Command

List of Corps Commanders

The XVIII Airborne Corps has been commanded by 40 lieutenant generals since its airborne designation in 1944, with the role evolving from operational leadership to contemporary global response force command under U.S. Army Forces Command.
NameRankAssumed CommandRelievedNotes
Michael Erik KurillaLt. Gen.October 8, 2019March 2022Oversaw corps deployments to amid Russia-Ukraine tensions; later nominated for Central Command.
Christopher T. DonahueLt. Gen.March 2022December 6, 2024Directed rapid response forces including elements deployed to ; previously commanded .
Gregory K. AndersonLt. Gen.December 6, 2024IncumbentFormer deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Forces Command; presides over corps at Fort Liberty.

Key Support Roles

The key support roles in the XVIII Airborne Corps headquarters facilitate coordination across staff functions, sustainment, and enlisted affairs to enable rapid global deployment and joint operations. These positions include Deputy Commanding Generals, who provide direct command assistance; the , who synchronizes general and special staff activities; and the , who advises on soldier readiness. The Chief of Staff serves as the commanding general's primary staff coordinator, managing sections such as G-1 (personnel), G-2 (intelligence), G-3 (operations), G-4 (logistics), and others to integrate planning, resource allocation, and execution. Colonel Edwin Mathias held this role as of March 2025, emphasizing integration of edge and cloud technologies for operational efficiency during exercises like Project Convergence. Deputy Commanding Generals and Assistant Commanding Generals support command oversight in specialized domains. John P. Cogbill, as Deputy Commanding General, addressed symposiums and expeditionary intelligence activations in 2025, focusing on operational readiness and joint force integration. Jay MacKeen serves as Assistant Commander for Operations, aiding in tactical and oversight. Peter L. Gilbert, incoming Assistant Commanding General for Support as of August 2024, manages , medical, and sustainment elements critical to expeditionary missions. The functions as the senior enlisted leader, advising on discipline, training standards, and welfare for over 90,000 soldiers across assigned units. Command Sergeant Major Bryan Barker currently fills this role, representing the corps in best squad competitions and leadership engagements.

Notable Contributions and Personnel

Distinguished Members

General Matthew B. Ridgway assumed command of the XVIII Airborne Corps on , 1944, shortly after its redesignation from the II Armored Corps to an airborne formation, and led it through critical campaigns including in September 1944, where airborne forces under his direction seized key bridges in the to facilitate Allied advances into . Ridgway's tenure emphasized decentralized , rigorous training for rapid airborne assaults, and integration of glider and paratroop elements, enabling the Corps to conduct over 10 major airborne operations and contribute to the defeat of German forces in the and campaigns by May 1945. His prior experience commanding the informed a that prioritized initiative and logistical innovation, later influencing U.S. Army doctrine on contingency operations. Lieutenant General Christopher T. Donahue commanded the XVIII Airborne Corps from March to December 2024, directing its rapid deployment of over 20,000 soldiers to in 2022 as part of NATO's response to Russia's invasion of , enhancing deterrence through multinational exercises and prepositioned equipment. Donahue's prior role as commander of the during the 2021 non-combatant evacuation in , —where his forces airlifted more than 124,000 civilians under fire—exemplified the Corps' global rapid response capability, with his Corps command extending that expertise to sustainment of U.S. forces in amid heightened threats. His background in , including of 1st Operational Detachment-Delta, informed enhancements to the Corps' joint and coalition integration, ensuring interoperability with allies in high-intensity scenarios.

Achievements, Challenges, and Criticisms

The XVIII Airborne Corps has demonstrated rapid deployment capabilities in multiple contingency operations, including Operation Just Cause in December 1989, where approximately 13,000 U.S. troops under its operational command executed the invasion of , securing key objectives and facilitating the removal of within days. In Operation Desert Shield and Storm (1990–1991), the corps deployed to starting August 7, 1990, securing the western flank of forces and conducting deep maneuvers into , which contributed to the rapid liberation of by February 28, 1991. Subsequent deployments to and highlighted its role in and training missions; for instance, from January 2005 to January 2006 in , it managed over 82,000 radio frequencies and supported development, while in 2009, joint security operations under its command reduced U.S. casualties and enabled Iraq's safest national election to date. In 2016, as part of the Combined , it oversaw more than 200 strikes disrupting oil revenues, and in 2018–2019, it led the counter-ISIS mission in and . Challenges in corps operations stem primarily from the demands of airborne and rapid-response missions, including elevated injury risks during static-line jumps, with a reported incidence of 8.4 injuries per 1,000 jumps across 131,747 operations, exacerbated by factors such as night jumps, heavy equipment loads, high winds, and elevated temperatures. Logistical complexities in austere environments, as experienced during the Gulf War's full-spectrum sustainment from deployment to combat, require integrating , ground convoys, and supply chains under time constraints. Recent efforts, such as incorporating terminals during the February 2022 deployment to for operations, underscore ongoing integration hurdles with emerging technologies amid disrupted communications in contested areas. Criticisms of the corps have focused on specific operational lapses, notably a February 27, 1991, incident during the ground offensive, where elements of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (under XVIII Airborne Corps) erroneously engaged a U.S. near , , killing two soldiers and wounding others due to disintegrated boundary coordination with VII Corps and outdated maps. Some analysts have attributed partial responsibility for post-2011 U.S. troop withdrawal challenges in to leadership under then-commander , arguing it failed to secure parliamentary approval for continued presence, contributing to resurgence, though this view reflects opinion rather than consensus. Inherent to airborne doctrine, the corps' high operational tempo and training injury rates have prompted internal reviews, including temporary halts on use following fatalities, highlighting tensions between expeditionary speed and safety mitigation.

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