The 601st Aviation Support Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, colloquially referred to as a DUI or a “unit crest,” as approved for wear on 12 July 1996. It features a shield with a buff (gold) and background and charged with a scarlet dragon to incorporate the two colors commonly used in the heraldry and insignia of Support units.
A series of heraldic billets (rectangular shape) forms a chevron to symbolize strength and support while the blue color signifies the aviation nature of the Support mission. The dragon reflects the organization’s motto (or the motto “Dragon Support” reflects the image of the dragon).
Distinctive Unit Insignias are 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. DUIs are not worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.
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Assigned to the 1st Infantry Division to provide support for the Division’s Combat Aviation Brigade, the 601st Aviation Support Battalion has deployed in support of the War on Terrorism several times since 2003. In May 2009, it was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) for its service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom between September 2007 and November 2008.
Its second MUC was awarded in April 2012 for a yearlong deployment (March 2010 – March 2011) supporting the Global War on Terrorism during Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn, conducting sustainment operations across the entire Iraq Joint Operations area for the Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division.
Its most recent decoration, a third MUC, was awarded in February 2015. Deployed from August 2013 to April 2014, the Battalion served in support of Operations Enduring Freedom XII and XIV, with the text of Permanent Order 0330-03 announcing the award going so far as to describe the Battalion’s “mission execution and commitment to excellence” as setting “a new standard for combat sustainment support operations in Regional Command South, Afghanistan.”
As of Autumn 2023, the Battalion is still assigned to the 1st Infantry Division’s Combat Aviation Brigade. It is now designated as the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade (and nicknamed "Demon Brigade") and is headquartered at Fort Riley, Kansas.