Airborne operations include inserting specialized infantry and paratroopers into a hot zone through parachuting. Paratroopers typically only have a few supplies, as their mission is to create conditions for leading battalions to move in after airborne forces establish their landing zone (LZ) or a beachhead.

Originating in 1927, the first paratrooper exercise took place in Italy, and paratroopers took part in extensive combat during the Second World War. Critical and successful airborne operations, such as Operation Neptune and Varsity, paved the way for future Allied victories in WWII and set the example of tactically sound paratrooper movements.

Nevertheless, catastrophic airborne operations have caused a delay in overall war plans and ultimately caused primary objective failures, leading to the combat ineffectiveness of elite paratroopers in modern history.