Description
The 173rd Airborne Brigade (Sky Soldiers) is the U.S. Army’s Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapid forces to the United States European, Africa and Central Commands areas of responsibilities. Forward-based in Italy and Grafenwoehr, Germany and the Brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build interoperability and strengthen the Alliance. The 173rd Airborne Brigade serves as the conventional airborne strategic response force for Europe. It was a subordinate unit of the U.S. Army’s V Corps and after June 2013, subordinate to US Army Europe.
Since its reactivation in 2000, the brigade served five tours in the Middle East in support of the War on Terror. The 173rd participated in the initial invasion of Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, and had four tours in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2005–06, 2007–08, 2009–10, and 2012–13. The brigade returned most recently from a deployment stretching from late 2013 to late 2014.
Since Aug. 2020, the 173rd Airborne Brigade has expanded its responsibilities, aligning with the U.S Army’s Southern European Task Force – Africa, and gaining expanded alert requirements supporting U.S. Africa Command in addition to U.S. European Command. The 173rd Airborne Brigade and their joint partners in the 37th AS routinely conduct deployment readiness exercises from both Germany and Italy into numerous drop zones in Europe. Exercises like this set the foundation for expanding the joint capability to deploy both Airborne and Stryker capabilities anywhere in support of EUCOM, AFRICOM and U.S. Central Command priorities.
This coin is dedicated to the fighting men and women of the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
Minted in bronze and given antique finish, this coin is imbued with bold colorful enamel on both sides.
Each coin measures 1 3/4 inch (44mm) in diameter.
This is a surplus NWTM item. Packaging may vary.
