You Can Watch Paratroopers Jump From Planes Every Week at This Legendary Army Installation

Fort Liberty, North Carolina

Fort Liberty sprawls across Cumberland County like a small city. But beneath the suburban feel lies serious business training America’s most elite warriors. The 82nd Airborne calls this place home, along with secretive Special Operations units that rarely make headlines.

Here’s a peek at its history.

From Artillery Training to Permanent Base

War Department officials picked this land to train artillery troops, and they built facilities for 16,000 soldiers and stables for 5,700 horses and mules.

The Army nearly shut down Camp Bragg after World War I ended, but General Albert J. Bowley fought to keep it open and it worked.

The War Department canceled the closure order on September 16, 1921, then the Army renamed the post Fort Bragg on September 30, 1922. This change marked it as a permanent installation.

World War II Expansion

Fort Bragg was bursting at its seams in 1940, and construction crews worked around the clock to house 60,000 soldiers.

The post welcomed numerous divisions, including the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions in 1942. These elite units learned to jump from planes and land in gliders.

The 9th Infantry Division trained here too, and dozens of artillery units prepared for war on the firing ranges.

Fort Bragg’s population hit 159,000 during the war years, effectively turning it into a military metropolis.

Birth of the Airborne Legacy

On August 15, 1942, the 82nd became the first airborne division in U.S. military history.

Soldiers came from every state in the nation, and this mix earned them the nickname “All Americans” and the “AA” shoulder patch they wear today.

Integration came to the 82nd in 1946, while the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, known as the “Triple Nickels,” joined the division.

The Army made the 82nd a permanent division on November 15, 1948, and this elite unit found a permanent home at Fort Bragg.

Immediate Response Force

The 82nd Airborne stands ready to go anywhere on short notice. Their Brigade Combat Team forms the core of the Immediate Response Force.

These soldiers pack parachutes, clean weapons, and prepare gear constantly. They can deploy anywhere in the world within 18 hours.

Base Expansion and Consolidation

Pope Air Force Base joined Fort Bragg in March 2011. The facility continues as Pope Field, supporting airborne operations.

Construction crews finished a massive headquarters in June 2011, while the U.S. Army Forces Command and U.S. Army Reserve Command moved in that summer.

Leaders held the “uncasing of colors ceremony” on August 1, 2011. This military tradition marked the official arrival of these major commands.

The 1990s brought new buildings and facilities. A modern post exchange replaced older facilities, and Devers Elementary School welcomed military children.

Name Change Controversy

Congress ordered changes in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act meant to remove Confederate names from military bases.

A special commission studied alternatives and selected “Fort Liberty” in May 2022. Unlike other renamed bases, they chose a concept rather than a person.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin approved the new name on October 6, 2022. His signature set the transition in motion.

The Army spent $6.37 million on the change. Workers replaced signs, maps, documents, and materials across the massive installation.

Return to Fort Bragg Name

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reversed course on February 10, 2025. His memorandum ordered a return to the name Fort Bragg.

The installation officially became Fort Bragg again on February 14, 2025. This time it honored a different Bragg.

Roland L. Bragg jumped into combat with the 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and he served in the 17th Airborne Division during World War II.

The young paratrooper earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart at the Battle of the Bulge. He saved a fellow soldier by capturing a German ambulance.

Visiting Fort Liberty

Fort Liberty welcomes visitors daily through the All American Gate on Bragg Boulevard. Bring a valid government photo ID to enter the base.

The 82nd Airborne Division Museum opens Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Admission costs nothing.

Guided tours run twice daily at 10:30 AM and 2:00 PM. Tours last about 90 minutes and require reservations at least one week ahead.

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