Inactivated in 2006, 18th Aviation Brigade traces its origins to the 7 April 1966 constitution of the HQ and HQ Detachment, 269th Aviation Battalion, activated 1 July 1966 and reorganized and redesignated as a Headquarters and Headquarters Company with the same numeric designation on 1 December 1968.
Deployed to Vietnam in 1967, the Battalion took part in eleven of the named campaigns in Vietnam as part of the 12th Aviation Group supporting the 25th Infantry Division. Between 1967 and 1971, the Battalion was honored with four Republic of Vietnam (ROV) Crosses of Gallantry with Palm, two ROV Civil Action Honor Medals First Class, and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
In 1987, the Battalion was reorganized and redesignated as the 18th Aviation Brigade, and under that designation it participated in all three campaigns of the First Gulf War. Before its inactivation, it also deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
This flash and oval was the second worn by the Brigade, with the original version worn from 1987 to 2003 featuring a solid blue field with gold trim. This design was worn from 2003 until the unit’s inactivation. Also in circulation is an oval with the arrow facing the opposite direction, the result of a manufacturer’s error.
Related Items
18th Aviation Brigade Unit Patch (SSI)
18th Aviation Brigade Unit Crest (DUI) 18th Aviation Brigade Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)18th Aviation Brigade CSIB with AIRBORNE Tab