The 30th Air Defense Artillery Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (unit patch) was originally approved for wear by the 30th Artillery Brigade on 12 April 1966. It was redesignated for the 30th Air Defense Artillery Brigade on 4 April 1972. Nearly forty years later, the description and symbolism were updated in an amendment to the insignia on 14 June 2012, followed by a second correction to the description on 28 May 2013.
It is issued in both nonsubdued (color) and subdued (camouflage) versions, with nonsubdued worn on the Army Green Service Uniform and the subdued versions worn on the Army Combat Uniform and other Utility uniforms. Please note that uniforms manufactured using the Universal Camouflage Pattern are no longer authorized for active-duty wear.
Scarlet and yellow are colors closely associated with Air Defense Artillery units. The upward-pointing arrows allude to missiles; three are used as a reference to the three main Ryukyu Islands that previously served as the unit’s home station.
A band encircling the arrows symbolizes a target area and thus the unit’s accuracy, reinforcing the unit motto of “Always On Target.” The band also recalls a zero that, when combined with the three arrows, suggests the unit’s numerical designation.
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30th Air Defense Artillery Brigade Unit Crest (DUI)
The 30th Air Defense Artillery Brigade is organized as the Air Defense Artillery (ADA) School and comprises two Battalions, the 2nd and 3rd, of the 6th ADA Regiment; according to the unit’s Web site, elements of the former 1st Battalion, 56th ADA Regiment are part of the Brigade and tasked exclusively with Officer Training.
The 2nd Battalion specializes in training on the C-RAM, Sentinel and Stinger/Avenger systems, while the 3rd handles Patriot and THAAD training. The 3rd Battalion also offers a “Patriot Top Gun” course, the equivalent of “graduate level” instruction in defense design, battle management/command and control, and joint air and missile defense operations.