The 1st Aviation Brigade was established in 1966, when America was substantially ramping up its military support for the Republic of Vietnam. Before the war drew to an end, the Brigade had participated in almost every named campaign (15 out of 17, to be precise) and was awarded four Meritorious Unit Commendations for its actions between 1969 and 1972. The Brigade was also the recipient of an astonishing four Republic of Vietnam Crosses of Gallantry with Palms, as well as Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class.
Returning to the United States in 1973, the Brigade was deployed to Fort Rucker (renamed Fort Novosel in 2023) in Alabama, where the Army decided to leverage the experience and knowledge the unit’s personnel had gained in Vietnam by turning it into a training unit. Originally, the Brigade had two Battalions as subordinate units, but in 2011 they were augmented by the addition of a third Battalion, the 2nd Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment, which specializes in training personnel in Unmanned Aerial Systems. The 2nd Battalion is stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
The Brigade’s other two Battalions, the 1st Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment and 1st Battalion, 145th Aviation Regiment, can be divided broadly into the training of enlisted Soldiers and Officers (including Warrant Officers) respectively.
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Approved in 1966, the 1st Aviation Brigade unit crest, or Distinctive Unit Insignia, is a golden hawk—inspired by the Brigade’s nickname—descending on its prey with talons extended. The imagery conveys the ability of the unit to deliver striking power quickly through numerous types of aviation assets.
Note: This insignia comes in a left- and right-hand version so that the golden hawk is facing forward when worn on epaulets.Related Items
1st Aviation Brigade Patch (SSI)
1st Aviation Brigade Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)