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August 6, 2026
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Download official Senate Record PDFReturn to issue contextSENATE RESOLUTION 836—DESIGNATING AUGUST 16, 2026, AS “NATIONAL
AIRBORNE DAY”
Mr. SULLIVAN (for himself, Mr. Reed, Mr. King, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Hirono, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Whitehouse, Ms. Duckworth, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Ossoff, Mr. Kelly, and Mr. Warner) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 836
Whereas the members of the airborne forces of the Armed
Forces of the United States have a long and honorable history
as bold and fierce warriors who, for the national security of
the United States and the defense of freedom and peace,
project the ground combat power of the United States by air
transport to the far reaches of the battle area and to the
far corners of the world;
Whereas, on June 25, 1940, experiments with airborne
operations by the United States began after the Army
Parachute Test Platoon was first authorized by the Department
of War;
Whereas, in July 1940, 48 volunteers began training for the
Army Parachute Test Platoon;
Whereas the first official Army parachute jump took place
on August 16, 1940, to test the innovative concept of
inserting United States ground combat forces behind a battle
line by means of a parachute;
Whereas the success of the Army Parachute Test Platoon,
before the entry of the United States into World War II,
validated the airborne operational concept and led to the
creation of a formidable force of airborne formations that
included the 11th, 13th, 17th, 82nd, and 101st Airborne
Divisions;
Whereas included in those divisions, and among other
separate formations, were many airborne combat, combat
support, and combat service support units that served with
distinction and achieved repeated success in armed
hostilities during World War II;
Whereas the achievements of the airborne units during World
War II prompted the evolution of those units into a
diversified force of parachute and air-assault units that,
over the years, have fought in Korea, the Dominican Republic,
Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf region, and
Somalia, and have engaged in peacekeeping operations in
Lebanon, the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, Haiti, Bosnia, and
Kosovo;
Whereas, since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001,
the members of the United States airborne forces, including
members of the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne
Division, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), the
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, the 2nd Infantry Brigade
Combat Team (Airborne) of the 11th Airborne Division, the
75th Ranger Regiment, special operations forces of the Army,
Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force, and other units of the
Armed Forces, have demonstrated bravery and honor in combat,
stability, and training operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and
other theaters in the Global War on Terrorism;
Whereas the continued evolution of United States Army
airborne units allowed for the reactivation of the 11th
Airborne Division on June 6, 2022, to lead the Armed Forces
of the United States in Arctic warfighting capabilities,
support United States Indo-Pacific Command operations, and
continue the storied legacy of the 11th Airborne Division
that dates back to World War II;
Whereas the modern airborne forces also include other elite
forces composed of airborne trained and qualified special
operations warriors, including Army Special Forces, Marine
Corps Reconnaissance Battalions, Navy SEALs, and Air Force
combat control and pararescue teams;
Whereas, of the members and former members of the United
States airborne forces, thousands have achieved the
distinction of making combat jumps, dozens have earned the
Medal of Honor, and hundreds have earned the Distinguished
Service Cross, the Silver Star, or other decorations and
awards for displays of heroism, gallantry, intrepidity, and
valor;
Whereas the members and former members of the United States
airborne forces are all members of a proud and honorable
tradition that, together with the special skills and
achievements of those members, distinguishes the members as
intrepid combat parachutists, air assault forces, special
operation forces, and, in the past, glider infantry;
Whereas individuals from every State of the United States
have served gallantly in the airborne forces, and each State
is proud of the contributions of its paratrooper veterans
during the many conflicts faced by the United States;
Whereas the history and achievements of the members and
former members of the United States airborne forces warrant
special expressions of the gratitude of the people of the
United States; and
Whereas, since the airborne forces, past and present,
celebrate August 16 as the anniversary of the first official
jump by the Army Parachute Test Platoon, August 16 is an
appropriate day to recognize as National Airborne Day: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) designates August 16, 2026, as “National Airborne
Day”; and
(2) calls on the people of the United States to observe
National Airborne Day with appropriate programs, ceremonies,
and activities.