Is the airborne concept outdated?

It may seem like it’s not important to those who have served in the more recent asymmetric wars. The US had access to airfields and shipping ports. BUT... airborne capability is key to forced entry operations (invasion). USMC Amphibious Forces combined with Army Airborne Troops are the means of “kicking down the door,” so that airfields and ports can be captured or built, allowing the entry of follow on forces.

Still relevant. Problem with it is, in general, light infantry is a speedbump when facing anything but a similar force. Mechanized or armor can cause it huge problems. Resupply and logistics are a problem as well. It’s a damn good thing our airborne forces are highly trained and proficient at everything they do, including all the problem areas I mentioned. Never got an airborne slot, in fact the 7th ID made soldiers go to Ranger school before they could go to jump school. For the right mission, needing that force level, they are the right units and it’s the right insertion method!

Its always better to have something and not need it then need it and not have it

The biggest advocate that Airborne Operations are obsolete is COL Charles Williams, who a Leg MP and thus a POG, that all you need to know!

We haven’t needed it but I’d rather have the capability then not have it .

They have not be used often but they’ve proven crucial in numerous wars

It will be needed someday. Yes, it is still relevant.

It depends on what the missions would require. In the GWOT there has been only 2 combat parachute assaults, 1 in Iraq by the 173rd, and 1 in Afghanistan by the Rangers. Most of the missions in the GWOT were Air Assault

Yeah that’s exactly how we kicked off the Iraq invasion. You have to seize an airfield to bring in the rest of the invasion. It’s not used too often but still has a very important job.

While rarely needed it’s definitely not outdated