11th Airborne Division
The 11th Airborne Division ("Arctic Angels") is a United States Army airborne formation based in Alaska.
| 11th Airborne Division | |
|---|---|
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia | |
| Active | 1943–1958 1963–1965 2022–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Type | Airborne and Air Assault |
| Role | Arctic Warfare |
| Size | Division |
| Part of | I Corps Alaskan Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska |
| Nickname(s) | "Arctic Angels" "Angels" (special designation) (hist.) |
| Engagements | World War II
Occupation of Japan Korean War |
| Website | 11thairbornedivision.army.mil |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding General | MG Brian S. Eifler |
| Command Sergeant Major | CSM Vern B. Daley |
| Deputy Commanding General, Support | BG Thomas E. Burke |
| Deputy Commanding General, Operations | Brigadier General Robert W. McBride, Canadian Army |
| Notable commanders | Maj. Gen. Joseph M. Swing Lt. Gen. Ridgely Gaither Maj. Gen. Wayne C. Smith |
| Insignia | |
| Division's distinctive unit insignia | |
| The division's WWII airborne background trimming (Type 2) | |
| Current division trimming; a combination of the WWII and U.S. Army Alaska trimmings | |
First activated on 25 February 1943, during World War II, it was held in reserve in the United States until June 1944 when it was transferred to the Pacific Theater where it saw combat in the Philippines. On 30 August 1945 the division was sent to southern Japan as part of the occupation force where it remained for four years. One parachute infantry regiment was detached for service in the Korean War, but on 30 June 1958 the division was inactivated.
In the summer of 2022 the U.S. Army Alaska headquarters was redesignated as the 11th Airborne Division, and the two Brigade Combat Teams in Alaska, the 1st Brigade Combat Team and 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, were transferred to the 11th Airborne Division and redesignated as the 1st and 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 11th Airborne Division.