1st Aviation Regiment (United States)

The 1st Aviation Regiment is a task force and is a unit in the First Infantry Division's Combat Aviation Brigade, composed of three battalion units of pilots, crews, and teams within the United States Army.[1]

1st Aviation Regiment
Coat of arms
Active1957–
Country United States
Branch United States Army Aviation Branch
TypeAviation
Part ofCombat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division (United States)
Garrison/HQFort Riley, Kansas
Nickname(s)"Gunfighters"
Motto(s)Super Primum
(Above the first)
ColorsUltramarine Blue, Golden orange
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia
Aircraft flown
Attack helicopterAH-64D Apache
Cargo helicopterCH-47D Chinook
Utility helicopterUH-60L Black Hawk

Structure
  • 1st Battalion (Attack Reconnaissance) "Gunfighters"
    • Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC)
    • Company A (AH-64) "Taz Devils"[3]
    • Company B (AH-64) "Wolfpack"
    • Company C (AH-64) "Ghostriders"
    • Company E
    • Company F (Gray Eagle)[4]
  • 2nd Battalion (General Support)
    • Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC)
    • Company C (UH-60)[5]
    • Company D[6]
    • Company F[6]
  • 3rd Battalion (Assault Helicopter) (Previously 2-6th Cavalry)[7][8]

History
A U.S. Army Specialist of the 1st Aviation Regiment holding a G36 rifle

1st Battalion

The unit was redesignated as Aviation Company, 1st Infantry Division and activated at Fort Riley, Kansas on 21 April 1972. On 2 September 1981 the unit was reorganized and redesignated as 1st Aviation Battalion at Fort Riley, Kansas. On 16 November 1987, the 1st Aviation Regiment was relieved from assignment to the 1st Infantry Division. Its headquarters was concurrently reorganized and redesignated as the 1st Aviation, a parent regiment in the United States Army Regimental System. 2nd Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment was activated at Katterbach Kaserne, Federal Republic of Germany, under the 1st Armored Division (Old Ironsides)

On 16 November 1987, the unit was reorganized and redesignated as 1st Battalion, 1st Aviation. It remained assigned to the 1st Infantry Division. The 1st Battalion, 1st Aviation was later reorganized and completed its AH-64 Apache unit training plan fielding on 23 April 1990. On 8 November 1990, the 1st Battalion, 1st Aviation, as part of the 1st Infantry Division, was alerted and deployed to Saudi Arabia. On 24 February 1991, the 1st Battalion, 1st Aviation helped the 1st Infantry Division spearhead the VII Corps attack into Iraq. Upon return to Fort Riley, Kansas, the unit continued training until it was inactivated 15 September 1995.

On 16 February 1996, the 1st Battalion, 1st Aviation was reactivated and restationed at Katterbach, Germany, as part of 4th Brigade (Aviation), 1st Infantry Division. On 24 December 1996, the 1st Battalion, 1st Aviation was alerted and deployed to the former Republic of Yugoslavia to conduct operations as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) Stabilization Force (SFOR) Operational Reserve. On 31 October 1997, the 1st Battalion, 1st Aviation returned to Katterbach, Germany, where the unit provided invaluable reconnaissance and lethal attack helicopter fires for the soldiers of the Big Red One.

2nd Battalion

2nd Battalion was originally Company B, 1st Aviation Battalion.[9]

3rd Battalion

3rd Battalion was originally Company C, 1st Aviation Battalion.[10]

The 3rd Battalion lead TF Nightmare for TAAC – South in Afghanistan for 7 months in 2016–2017.[11]

Currently, the regiment may have up to three battalions.[12]

G Company 1st Aviation

 
In 1987 G Company 1st Aviation fielded the initial OH-58D equipped platoon in Europe as part of the 4th Brigade, 1st Armored Division.

Distinctive unit insignia

Description

A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1⁄8 inches (2.9 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Per nebuly Argent and Azure (Ultramarine Blue) in base a mullet of 11 points of the first and in chief an alerion Gules. Attached below the shield a silver scroll inscribed "SUPER PRIMUM" in black letters.

Symbolism

Ultramarine blue is traditionally associated with Aviation units. The alerion (a heraldic eagle without beak or talon) is symbolic of flight and further suggests the fixed-wing variety of aircraft. The star, a symbol of achievement, also represents rotary-winged aircraft. The nebuly partition line is suggestive of clouds and sky.

Background

The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 1st Aviation Battalion on 17 February 1964. It was rescinded on 8 July 1976. On 1 September 1981, it was reinstated for the 1st Aviation Battalion and amended to change the color of the shield. The insignia was redesignated on 16 November 1987 for the 1st Aviation with the description and symbolism revised.

Coat of arms

Shield

Per bend nebuly Argent and Azure (Ultramarine blue) in base a mullet of 11 points of the first and in chief an alerion Gules.

Crest

On a wreath of the colors, Argent and Azure, issuant out of a cloud proper, four crossed lightning bolts their points in base, two at center Gules between Gold.

Shield

Ultramarine blue is traditionally associated with Aviation units. The alerion (a heraldic eagle without beak or talon) is symbolic of flight and further suggests the fixed-wing variety of aircraft. The star, a symbol of achievement, also represents rotary-winged aircraft. The nebuly partition line is suggestive of clouds and sky.

Crest

The lightning bolts issuing from a cloud refers to the mission and capabilities of the 1st Aviation Battalion in combat service. Yellow and scarlet, the colors of the Republic of Vietnam flag, refer to the 1st Aviation Battalion's service in 11 campaigns there. Two awards of the Meritorious Unit Commendation are represented by the scarlet lightning bolts at center, and the two yellow bolts connote awards of the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class.

Background

The coat of arms was originally approved for the 1st Aviation Battalion on 17 February 1964. It was rescinded on 8 July 1976. On 1 September 1981 the coat of arms was reinstated and amended to change the color of the shield and to add a crest. The coat of arms was redesignated to the 1st Aviation with the symbolism revised on 16 November 1987.

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Army Institute of Heraldry document: "1st Aviation Regiment".

Citations
  1. "U.S. ARMY 1ST AVIATION REGIMENT UNIT CREST". 1 February 2020.
  2. Bernstein 2005, p. 78.
  3. "'Demon' brigade pilots fly Apache helicopter to veterans picnic". U.S. Army. 29 November 2017.
  4. "Gray Eagle transitions authority after successful mission in the Middle East". DVIDS. 29 November 2017.
  5. AirForces Monthly. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. January 2017. p. 28.
  6. "Soldiers, Airmen exercise partnership at Fort Riley". U.S. Army. 29 November 2017.
  7. Bernstein 2005, p. 88.
  8. AirForces Monthly. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. February 2014. p. 27.
  9. "2d Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment". U.S. Army. 20 November 2019.
  10. "3d Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment". U.S. Army. 20 November 2019.
  11. Harris, Capt. Brian (6 April 2017). "TF Warhawk and TF Nightmare hold TOA at Kandahar Airfield". Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan: 16th Combat Aviation Brigade. DVIDS. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
  12. 1st Battalion (Attack Reconnaissance), 1st Battalion (Attack Reconnaissance), 1st Aviation Regiment "Gunfighters"

Bibliography
  • Bernstein, J (2005). AH-64 Apache Units of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. UK: Osprey Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84176-848-0.
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