The XVIII Airborne Corps is the corps of the United States Army designed for rapid deployment anywhere in the world. As of 2004, it consists of approximately 88,000 soldiers in four divisions.
Its headquarters are at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The corps consists of the following units:
In addition, it is "aligned" with several divisions of the U.S. National Guard.
History
The corps was first activated as the II Armored Corps at Camp Polk in Louisiana, 17 January 1942, then redesignated as XVIII Corps 9 October 1943, and became the Airborne Corps on 25 August 1944, as part of the preparation for Operation Market Garden. General Matthew B. Ridgway commanded the corps, which then consisted of the 82nd Airborne Division and the 101st Airborne Division.
The corps has participated in a number of operations since then:
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