The Distinctive Unit Insignia of the Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division was originally approved on 22 October 1969 while the Brigade was still designated as the 101st Aviation Group. It was redesignated for the Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division on 17 August 1986. The eagle is a symbol of the unit’s strike capabilities, while the parachute refers to the union of Army Aviation with the Airborne. A scroll with the motto “Wings Of Destiny” is rendered in black and gold, a reference to the colors of the parent unit the 101st Airborne Division, with the light blue background representing the sky.
Also known as a unit crest or DUI, a Distinctive Unit Insignia is worn by all Soldiers (except General Officers) in units that have been authorized to be issued the device. It is worn centered on the shoulder loops of the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) and the blue Army Service Uniform (ASU, Enlisted only) with the base of the insignia toward the outside shoulder seam. Full guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1,
Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia" and 21–3(d) and (e),
"Beret" and
"Garrison Cap," respectively.
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The unit known today as the Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division was originally constituted as the 4th Aviation Section (Light) on 7 December 1950. Following a series of inactivations/activations, the 160th Aviation Group was established from elements of the 17th Cavalry Regiment on 1 July 1968; on 25 June 1969, it was redesignated as the 101st Aviation Group. During its time in Vietnam, the 101st Aviation Group’s service was recognized with a Valorous Unit Award, two Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm awards, and two Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medals, First Class.
On 15 August 1986, the Group was redesignated as the Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Under this designation, the unit would be deployed to Kuwait, Somalia, Bosnia, and Honduras. In October 1997, the Brigade was split into two brigades, the 101st Aviation Brigade (Attack) and the 159th Aviation Brigade (Assault), both assigned to the 101st Airborne. Following the launch of the War on Terrorism, the 101st Aviation Brigade—which was now designated as the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade—was deployed several times to Iraq and Afghanistan, and another Valorous Unit Award and four Meritorious Unit Citations between 2005 and 2013.
In May 2015, the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade was inactivated and the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade was redesignated as the Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division to conform to the designation of other Divisional Aviation Brigades which are not numbered. As of Summer 2023, the Brigade is stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and comprises a HQ and HQ Company, two Aviation Battalions, an Aviation Support Battalion, and a Cavalry Squadron.