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PHOTOS: The 82nd Airborne Division Turns 100

American Homefront Project | By Matt Couch
Published June 1, 2017 at 5:14 PM EDT
Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division simulate an assault of a compound under cover of smoke as part of the Airborne Review at Fort Bragg's Sicily Drop Zone.
Matt Couch
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American Homefront
Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division simulate an assault of a compound under cover of smoke as part of the Airborne Review at Fort Bragg's Sicily Drop Zone.

As the Army's 82nd Airborne Division commemorates its 100th anniversary this year, its annual homecoming event was an opportunity to show off some of its capabilities.

Like several prominent U.S. military units, Fort Bragg's 82nd Airborne Division was established in 1917, after the start of World War I. As part of its centennial celebration, about 15,000 Paratroopers participated in a week of events at Fort Bragg, ending with the Airborne Review, a demonstration of weapon capabilities and battlefield tactics.  High winds forced the Army to cancel the parachute drop of about 2000 soldiers.

A member from the Army's elite skydiving team, the Golden Knights, carries the colors of the 82nd Airborne All American Division as part of the Airborne Review at Sicily Drop Zone at Fort Bragg on May 25, 2017.
Credit Matt Couch / American Homefront
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American Homefront
A member from the Army's elite skydiving team, the Golden Knights, carries the colors of the 82nd Airborne All American Division as part of the Airborne Review at Sicily Drop Zone at Fort Bragg on May 25, 2017.

An Air Force F-15 Eagle passes over as part of a close air support exercise with the 82nd Airborne Division during the Airborne Review at Fort Bragg's Sicily Drop Zone.
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American Homefront
An Air Force F-15 Eagle passes over as part of a close air support exercise with the 82nd Airborne Division during the Airborne Review at Fort Bragg's Sicily Drop Zone.

Blackhawk helicopters with the 82nd Airborne Division simulate a "touch and go" landing.
Credit Matt Couch / American Homefront
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American Homefront
Blackhawk helicopters with the 82nd Airborne Division simulate a touch and go landing.

Paratroopers demonstrate a breaching charge on a walled compound.
Credit Matt Couch / American Homefront
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American Homefront
Paratroopers demonstrate a breaching charge on a walled compound.

Paratroopers fire a M777A2 Howitzer at simulated enemy positions.
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American Homefront
Paratroopers fire a M777A2 Howitzer at simulated enemy positions.
Upon clearing a compound, Paratroopers destroyed the structure as part of the assault demonstration.
Credit Matt Couch / American Homefront
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American Homefront
Upon clearing a compound, Paratroopers destroyed the structure as part of the assault demonstration.

Soldiers demonstrate the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.
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American Homefront
Soldiers demonstrate the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.
With an Army AH-64 Apache helicopter passing above, Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division march across Sicily Drop Zone.
Credit Matt Couch / American Homefront
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American Homefront
With an Army AH-64 Apache helicopter passing above, Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division march across Sicily Drop Zone.
A first lieutenant with the 82nd Airborne Division salutes during the Airborne Review.
Credit Matt Couch / American Homefront
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American Homefront
A first lieutenant with the 82nd Airborne Division salutes during the Airborne Review.
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