Video by Capt. Jennifer French
173rd Airborne Brigade Paratroopers Honor the Legacy of the 90th Infantry Division During D-Day 81 Ceremony
173rd Airborne Brigade
June 6, 2025 | 6:08
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, 90th Infantry Division, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Battalion 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and 1st Battalion 509th Infantry Regiment pay their respects at the 90th Infantry Division Monument in Picauville, Normandy, France, during a D-Day 81 ceremony, June 6, 2025. The monument honors the Soldiers of the 90th Infantry Division—“Tough 'Ombres”—who landed at Utah Beach and fought through the hedgerows of the Cotentin Peninsula in the summer of 1944. Their legacy of courage, sacrifice, and liberation lives on through those who continue to serve in the U.S. Army. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army’s Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the U.S. European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployed across Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build readiness and strengthen the alliance. (U.S. Army video by Capt. Jennifer French)
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Ready, Empowered, and Disciplined

Ready, empowered and disciplined, the 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army’s Contingency Response Force in Europe, postured to deploy rapidly in support of operations across multiple combatant commands.

Based in Vicenza, Italy, and Grafenwöhr, Germany, the brigade is built to move quickly, strike decisively and integrate seamlessly with allied forces. Whether responding to a crisis, supporting NATO operations or reinforcing deterrence, Sky Soldiers deliver scalable combat power wherever it’s needed.

Over the past two years, the brigade has trained across Europe and Africa alongside more than two dozen NATO and allied partners in multinational exercises that reinforce interoperability and combat readiness.

Today’s fight takes more than just boots on the ground. That’s why the brigade continues to modernize at every echelon—adopting next-generation communications, sensor integration, and data-driven decision tools that empower leaders with enhanced situational awareness on the battlefield.

Unmanned systems also play an increasing role in reconnaissance and precision engagement. Through realistic training and rapid adaptation, Sky Soldiers are building new ways to pair emerging technology with tactical expertise—improving speed, accuracy and survivability.

On the sustainment front, the brigade is testing innovative approaches to resupply and medical support, ensuring forward elements can operate longer and with greater autonomy in contested environments.

With integrated communications and shared digital tools, the 173rd connects seamlessly with allied formations, accelerating the decision cycle and enabling multinational mission success.

Bottom line: The 173rd Airborne Brigade is smarter, faster and more adaptable than ever before. Whether deterring adversaries, reinforcing allies or leading the fight, Sky Soldiers are always ready—and always forward.