82nd Airborne Division cancels All American Week amid Iran war deployments
Source: Task & Purpose
Loading...Strong SignalCredibility: 81%
Report Content
An annual event honoring service members and veteran paratroopers at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, has been cancelled after Pentagon officials confirmed that troops from the base are deploying to the Middle East.
All American Week is hosted every year at Fort Bragg, North Carolina — home to the 82nd Airborne Division. This year’s event, scheduled from May 18 to 21, has been cancelled, Army officials confirmed.
The event was “canceled due to competing requirements,” Maj. Joe Bush, a spokesperson for the 82nd Airborne Division, said in a statement to Task & Purpose. “All American Week will resume in 2027.”
The All American Week’s cancellation comes amid reports that nearly 1,000 paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division received deployment orders to the Middle East amid the ongoing war with Iran.
“We can confirm elements of the 82nd Airborne Division HQs, some division enablers and the 1st [Brigade Combat Team] will be deploying to [U.S. Central Command’s Area of Responsibility],” a Department of Defense official confirmed to Task & Purpose on March 25. “Due to operations security we have nothing additional to provide at this time.”
The annual event, hosted by the 82nd Airborne Division Association, is typically put on to celebrate past and present paratroopers and includes a variety of events like an old timers breakfast, runs, memorial ceremonies, military fly overs, and technology showcases.
“Due to Operational Requirements, We Shift Our Focus to Supporting Deployed Paratroopers and Their Families. Thank you for understanding,” the association wrote in Facebook post.
All American Week is an annual event hosted at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, that honors active duty and veteran paratroopers. Army photo by Capt. Shervon Pope.
At last year’s event, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth took to the stage to address the latest Pentagon reforms like cuts to the general officer corps, slashes to diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and quality-of-life changes like barracks investment and jump pay increases.
The 82nd Airborne Division Association, which hosts the event, is a membership association for current soldiers and veterans who served in the 82nd and other paratrooper units.
The Pentagon launched Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28 and has struck more than 12,300 targets in Iran, according to U.S. Central Command. U.S. officials have not given a clear timeline about when they believe the war will end and have not ruled out deploying U.S. ground forces. In the interim, the Pentagon has approved special combat pay for troops deployed to countries across the Middle East, and the Army has authorized soldiers to wear combat patches.
Top Stories This Week
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump said in his address to the nation that it’s “important that we keep this conflict in perspective,” noting varying lengths of U.S. conflicts, from World War I to World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War and Iraq War.
“We are in this military operation, so powerful, so brilliant against one of the most powerful countries for 32 days. And the country has been eviscerated and essentially is really no longer a threat,” Trump said. “This is a true investment in your children and your grandchildren’s future.”
The post 82nd Airborne Division cancels All American Week amid Iran war deployments appeared first on Task & Purpose.
Classification
Region
North America, West Asia
Analytical Domain
Operational
Primary Category / Secondary Categories
Force Movement / Military Operations
Subcategory
Troop Redeployment
SALUTE Report
Size
nearly 1,000 paratroopers
Activity
deployment orders to the Middle East
Location
Fort Bragg · North Carolina · Middle East
Unit
82nd Airborne Division
Time
May 18 to 21, 2023
Equipment
-
Summary
The 82nd Airborne Division cancelled All American Week at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, scheduled for May 18 to 21, 2023, due to the deployment of nearly 1,000 paratroopers to the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. This decision was confirmed by Army officials, who stated that the event will resume in 2027. The Pentagon has also initiated Operation Epic Fury, targeting over 12,300 sites in Iran.
Key Facts
- All American Week at Fort Bragg was cancelled due to troop deployments.
- Nearly 1,000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division received deployment orders.
- The event was scheduled for May 18 to 21, 2023, and will resume in 2027.
- The Pentagon has launched Operation Epic Fury, striking over 12,300 targets in Iran.
- Special combat pay has been approved for troops deployed to the Middle East.