3:73th Armor

• Airborne Armor: 3rd Battalion, 73rd Armor Regiment (3/73rd Armor) was the only airborne armored battalion in the U.S. Army, providing parachute-deployable light tanks. • Unique Vehicle: The unit operated the M551 Sheridan light tank, which could be airdropped or air-landed, giving paratroopers vital armored support. • Cold War Origins: The battalion was reactivated in 1988 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as part of the 82nd Airborne Division, but its lineage traces back to World War II. • Combat in Operation Just Cause: Elements of 3/73rd Armor participated in the 1989 invasion of Panama, providing armored firepower for the 82nd Airborne Division. • Desert Storm Deployment: 3/73rd Armor deployed to Saudi Arabia in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm, supporting airborne forces with their Sheridans. • Specialized Training: Tank crews were trained not only as tankers but also as paratroopers, making them some of the few qualified "airborne tankers" in the Army. • Retirement of the Sheridan: The M551 Sheridan was retired from regular service in the mid-1990s, leading to the deactivation of 3/73rd Armor in 1997. • Legacy of the Regiment: The 73rd Armor Regiment has a distinguished history dating to World War II and Korea, but 3/73rd’s airborne mission was unique in U.S. military history. • Distinctive Insignia: The unit’s crest and patch featured a blue shield with a tank tread and lightning bolt, symbolizing speed and power. • Influence on Future Doctrine: The concept of rapidly deployable armored support for airborne units influenced later development of air-transportable vehicles and tactics.