The 27th Engineer Battalion (Airborne) “Tiger Battalion” is part of the U.S. Army’s 20th Engineer Brigade and XVIII Airborne Corps, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. A rapid-deployment airborne combat engineer unit, the 27th has supported global contingency operations including World War I, the India-Burma campaign in World War II, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and the Global War on Terror. Airborne Apparel Company is proud to offer reproductions and unique designs that celebrate the legacy of the 27th Engineer Battalion (Airborne).
The 27th Engineer Battalion was first organized in 1918 as part of the 37th Engineer Regiment. Over its long history, it has undergone multiple redesignations, earning a reputation as one of the Army’s most versatile and deployable engineer units. Today, it stands as the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Airborne), assigned to the 20th Engineer Brigade at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Major Combat History
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World War I: Supported operations in the Saint-Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives.
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World War II: Fought in the India-Burma campaign, including the capture of Myitkyina Airfield. Its engineers cleared jungle terrain, built airstrips, and provided critical mobility in some of the most challenging conditions of the war.
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Vietnam War: Deployed in 1966, where the battalion constructed bases, cleared routes, and supported the 101st Airborne Division under constant enemy threat.
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Gulf War: Deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, providing combat engineer support during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
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Global War on Terror: Sent multiple rotations to Iraq and Afghanistan, specializing in airborne engineer insertion, route clearance, infrastructure repair, and direct support to both airborne and special operations forces.
Mission & Role
As an airborne engineer battalion, the 27th provides:
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Mobility support — breaching obstacles, route clearance, and construction of bridges, roads, and landing zones.
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Survivability — fortifications and defensive construction.
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Rapid deployment — the ability to parachute engineer forces directly into combat zones.
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Direct support to airborne and special operations units requiring specialized engineer expertise.
Identity & Legacy
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Nickname: “Tiger Battalion”
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Motto: Omnes Res Bene Facere (“To Do All Things Well”)
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Garrison: Fort Bragg, North Carolina
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Structure: Assigned to the 20th Engineer Brigade under XVIII Airborne Corps
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Honors: Presidential Unit Citation for WWII service in Burma; multiple Meritorious Unit Commendations for Vietnam, Southwest Asia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Enduring Significance
The 27th Engineer Battalion (Airborne) has built a legacy of toughness, speed, and adaptability. From jungles to deserts, from World War I to modern wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the “Tiger Battalion” has enabled U.S. airborne forces to move, fight, and win.
Airborne Apparel Company is proud to offer reproductions and unique designs that celebrate the legacy of the 27th Engineer Battalion (Airborne).