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. Current regulations do not permit the DUI to be worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.
More 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 Distinctive Unit Insignia worn today by the 1106th Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group was originally approved for the 217th Transportation Battalion on 20 June 1969, but it was rescinded on 23 February 1980. The insignia was reinstated and redesignated with an effective date of 1 September 2010 for the 1106th Aviation Group. Its description and symbolism were updated at the same time.
A heritage that begins in the Transportation Corps is celebrated in the 1106th Theater Aviation Support Maintenance Group DUI with brick red and golden yellow tones, the Corps’ official colors since 1943, as well as with the wheel at the bottom of the insignia. The wheel is also an allusion the unit’s assignment as a hub for providing repair parts support and maintaining stocks of aircraft and aircraft-armament parts.
The sun on which the wheel is surmounted is taken from the crest of the California Army National Guard (ARNG), reflecting California’s reputation and nickname as the “Golden State” and pointing to the Group’s assignment to the California ARNG. The placement of the looped scroll at the very top of the insignia reinforces the Group’s motto of “Support Above All Else,” with the wings holding it up pointing to the organization’s current assignment as an Aviation Support unit. Attentive insignia mavens will likely notice that the (2) wings, (1) wheel, and (7) rays are an allusion to the Group’s original numerical designation when it served as a Transportation Battalion.
As of Winter 2024, the 1106th Theater Aviation Support Maintenance Group remains an active component of the California Army National Guard and is headquartered at Fresno, California. It was most recently in the news in February 2023 when it assisted the 144th Security Forces Squadron, 144th Fighter Wing of the California Air National Guard train for Agile Combat Employment by assuming the role of an opposing force during the exercise held at Paso Robles, California.