11th Airborne Division

11th Airborne Division
Active1943–1958
1963–1965
2022–present
Country United States
Branch United States Army
TypeLight infantry
Airborne forces
RoleAir assault
Airlift
Anti-tank warfare
Artillery observer
Bomb disposal
CBRN defense
Close air support
Close-quarters battle
Cold-weather warfare
Combined arms
Fire support
HUMINT
Indirect fire
ISTAR
Maneuver warfare
Military engineering
Parachuting
Raiding
Reconnaissance
SIGINT
Urban warfare
SizeDivision
Part of I Corps
Alaskan Command
Garrison/HQJoint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska
Nickname(s)"Arctic Angels"
"Angels" (special designation) (hist.)
Motto(s)"Americas Arctic Angels-Arctic Tough"'
Colors  Maroon
Engagements
Website11thairbornedivision.army.mil
Commanders
Commanding GeneralMG Joseph Hilbert
Command Sergeant MajorCSM David P. Hanson
Deputy Commanding General, SupportBG Thomas E. Burke
Deputy Commanding General, OperationsBGen Robert W. McBride (Canadian Army)
Notable
commanders
Maj. Gen. Joseph M. Swing
Lt. Gen. Ridgely Gaither
Maj. Gen. Wayne C. Smith
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia
WWII airborne background trimming (Type 2)
Current airborne background trimming (a combination of their WWII and U.S. Army Alaska trimming)
Flag

The 11th Airborne Division ("Arctic Angels") is a United States Army multirole infantry division made up of specialized light infantry and airborne infantry based in Alaska.

Currently, this unit specializes in arctic warfare, airborne operations, combined arms, maneuver warfare, and urban warfare.

First activated on 25 February 1943, during World War II, it was held in reserve in the United States until June 1944 when it was transferred to the Pacific Theater where it saw combat in the Philippines. On 30 August 1945 the division was sent to southern Japan as part of the occupation force where it remained for four years. One parachute infantry regiment was detached for service in the Korean War. On 30 June 1958 the division was inactivated.

In the summer of 2022 the U.S. Army Alaska headquarters was redesignated as the 11th Airborne Division, and the two Brigade Combat Teams in Alaska, the 1st Brigade Combat Team and 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, were transferred to the 11th Airborne Division and redesignated as the 1st and 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 11th Airborne Division.