Dropcaps and Paraops

The last brigade-sized (plus Rangers) combat drop that
I know of was conducted in 1989 by a brigade of the
82nd Airborne Division into Panama.  Why?  To secure
airfields to airland the rest of the division.

HOWEVER, I will note that since 1945, no airborne
operations have been conducted against a nation that
had anything resembling a real air defense capability.

John

[Tomb] I had thought this was the case, but I didn't want to speak up
and appear the idiot. Thanks for confirming that. 

Note that your last statement makes many of these landings seem viable
by small airdrop formations on remote colonies or outposts (light ADE). 

Canada still has (at least for now, though there is a move to turf them)
some limited parachute assault capability (one company per infantry unit