The 782nd Maintenance Battalion, now known as the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion (BSB), is the sustainment lifeline of the 82nd Airborne Division. Activated in 1942, the unit has supported airborne operations from World War II through Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Based at Fort Bragg, the 782nd provides logistics, supply, and maintenance support, ensuring paratroopers of the 82nd remain ready to deploy worldwide at a moment’s notice. Airborne Apparel Company is proud to offer reproductions and unique designs that celebrate the legacy of the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion.
The 782nd Maintenance Battalion traces its roots back to the activation of the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II. Created in 1942, the battalion was organized to provide the division with the maintenance and logistical support needed to keep its paratroopers and equipment in the fight. While the 82nd’s combat arms units were making history in Sicily, Normandy, and Holland, the 782nd was ensuring that weapons, vehicles, and supplies were ready at all times for airborne operations.
Cold War and Vietnam
Throughout the Cold War, the 782nd remained an integral part of the 82nd Airborne Division’s logistical backbone. During the Vietnam War, Soldiers of the battalion deployed to provide direct support, ensuring airborne and airmobile units could sustain operations in a harsh environment.
Modern Redesignation
As the Army transformed its structure in the early 2000s, the 782nd was reorganized and redesignated as the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion (BSB), aligned under the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 82nd Airborne Division. Its mission expanded to include not just maintenance but full-spectrum logistics—supply distribution, fuel, transportation, and medical support—providing the lifeline for combat brigades in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other deployments.
Role in the 82nd Airborne Division
The 782nd BSB exemplifies the airborne support mission: rapid deployment, adaptability, and sustaining combat power far from home. Whether it was maintaining jeeps and artillery in WWII, supporting helicopters and armored vehicles in Vietnam, or fueling MRAPs and supplying paratroopers in Iraq and Afghanistan, the 782nd has been the unit behind the unit—ensuring the 82nd Airborne never runs out of momentum.
Legacy and Honors
-
Campaigns: World War II (Sicily, Normandy, Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe), Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan.
-
Decorations: The battalion has earned multiple Meritorious Unit Commendations and citations for its sustained excellence in support operations.
-
Nickname: Often referred to as the “lifeline” of the brigade, reflecting its role in enabling combat power.
-
Modern Role: Today, as the 782nd BSB, the battalion continues its mission at Fort Bragg as part of the 82nd Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade.