75th Ranger Regiment

The 75th Ranger Regiment, the U.S. Army’s elite airborne light infantry force, consists of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd Battalions, Regimental Special Troops Battalion (RSTB), and the Regimental Military Intelligence Battalion (RMIB). From Pointe du Hoc to Grenada, Panama, Mogadishu, Iraq, and Afghanistan, Rangers have proven why “Rangers Lead the Way.” Airborne Apparel Company is proud to offer reproductions and unique designs that celebrate the legacy of the 75th Ranger Regiment.

The 75th Ranger Regiment traces its heritage to the original Ranger battalions of World War II, including the famous 2nd and 5th Rangers at Pointe du Hoc on D-Day. After WWII, Rangers served in Korea and later in Vietnam as long-range reconnaissance patrol (LRRP) units, officially designated 75th Infantry (Ranger) Companies.

The modern 75th Ranger Regiment was established in 1974 at Fort Benning, Georgia, with 1st and 2nd Battalions. It expanded in the 1980s and 2000s to its present structure, becoming the Army’s most elite, versatile light infantry strike force.

Regiment Structure

• 1st Ranger Battalion
  Activated in 1974 at Fort Benning (now at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia), the 1st Battalion led Ranger combat jumps into Grenada (1983) and Panama (1989). It also deployed repeatedly to Iraq and Afghanistan, where it conducted airfield seizures, raids, and counterterrorism missions.

• 2nd Ranger Battalion
  Based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, the 2nd Battalion carries the Pointe du Hoc legacy. It parachuted into Grenada, Panama, and later fought in Somalia during Operation Gothic Serpent (1993), the Battle of Mogadishu—immortalized in “Black Hawk Down.” In Iraq and Afghanistan, it conducted some of the regiment’s most high-profile direct-action raids.

• 3rd Ranger Battalion
  Activated in 1984 at Fort Benning, Georgia, the 3rd Battalion gave the Rangers a full regimental structure. Since 9/11, it has deployed continuously to Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond, conducting high-value target raids and special operations. It is recognized as one of the most heavily deployed battalions in modern Army history.

• Regimental Special Troops Battalion (RSTB)
  Activated in 2006, the RSTB provides the regiment with critical enablers including signals intelligence, reconnaissance, communications, logistics, and K9 elements. Its Soldiers support and enhance the combat effectiveness of the line battalions in every mission.

• Regimental Military Intelligence Battalion (RMIB)
  Activated in 2019, the RMIB provides cutting-edge intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support to the regiment. Its Soldiers specialize in analysis, targeting, and information dominance—ensuring Rangers maintain their edge in modern combat.

Combat History Since 1980

• Grenada (1983, Operation Urgent Fury): Airborne assault on Point Salines Airfield.

• Panama (1989, Operation Just Cause): Combat jumps onto Rio Hato and Torrijos/Tocumen Airfields.

• Somalia (1993, Operation Gothic Serpent): 2nd Battalion fought in the Battle of Mogadishu.

• Global War on Terror: From 2001 onward, the regiment became one of the most frequently deployed units in the Army. Rangers seized airfields, conducted counterterror raids, and executed high-value target missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.

Identity & Legacy

• Motto: “Rangers Lead the Way”

• Distinctive Insignia: The black-and-gold Ranger scroll and the tan beret.

• Unique Distinction: The Army’s premier special operations light infantry force, capable of deploying worldwide in less than 18 hours.

• Decorations: Presidential Unit Citations, Valorous Unit Awards, and campaign streamers spanning WWII to the present day.

Enduring Significance

The 75th Ranger Regiment represents the pinnacle of American airborne light infantry excellence. From Pointe du Hoc to Baghdad raids, the Rangers have proven their ability to adapt, strike with precision, and lead in combat across every era of modern warfare. Each battalion contributes to a force that is both steeped in tradition and unmatched in its modern capabilities.

Airborne Apparel Company is proud to offer reproductions and unique designs that celebrate the legacy of the 75th Ranger Regiment.