Airborne's real name is Franklin E. Talltree, and his rank is that of sergeant E-5. Airborne was born in a Navajo Reservation in Arizona.
Airborne's parents are oil-rich Navajos who indulged their eldest son with sky-diving lessons, forever setting his love for being in the air. In college, he studied law and passed the Arizona State Bar exams. He later joined the army and opted for airborne training, graduating top of class from Fort Benning Airborne School. He is an expert in using Hughes Helicopter Chain Gun, M-16, M-60 and M-1911A auto pistol.
Sunbow
Airborne appeared in the Sunbow G.I. Joe cartoon voiced by Peter Cullen. Airborne has a psychic bond with his brother.
In the episode "Operation: Mind Menace", Airborne joined Flash in tracking down Cobra to a base on Easter Island, after they kidnapped a Hawaiian girl who possessed psychic abilities. Airborne's brother Tommy was being kidnapped at the same time; the two brothers shared a psychic bond, allowing them to sense when the other is in danger, and the trauma of the event affected the psychic link Tommy and Airborne shared. The Joes were captured by Cobra, and Cobra Commander used Tommy's abilities to attack the Joes, by transforming two Easter Island heads into giant stone warriors. Flash and Airborne fought off their attackers, until they were rescued by Duke and Lady Jaye.
Airborne also appeared in the following episodes in the series:
- Arise, Serpentor, Arise
- Bazooka Saw A Sea Serpent
- Cobra's Soundwaves
- Phantom Brigade
- The Pit of Vipers
- The Synthoid Conspiracy
- Twenty Questions
- Where The Reptiles Roam