Why have the 82nd and 101st Airborne been used so often during civil disorder?

[Kennah]

Is it because of their greater ease of mobility than other elite units?

[TreasonousBastard]

1. I wasn't aware that they were, but...

if they are, it's because they're in a constant state of readiness and can move out faster.

Back in the Viet Nam era, when the Soviets were still an enemy, we had a brigade or so stationed on the East German border and their sole purpose was to hold off an East German/Soviet attack for three days until the 82nd could get there and mop up. When we were told that, we stifled hysterical laughter-- a thousand Soviet tanks would take out the brigade in an hour or so, the 3rd Division armored units wouldn't be able to start our tanks, and one division of airborne would be eaten alive.

Fortunately, the theory was never put to the test.