101st Combat Aviation Brigade
Encyclopedia
The 101st Combat Aviation Brigade is a Combat Aviation Brigade
of the United States Army
. It was first organized in July 1968 as an Aviation Group. It was redesignated an Aviation Brigade in 1986. It has served in almost every single military operation (combat, peacekeeping, and humanitarian) since the Vietnam War
. The brigade returned in March and April 2011 from a year-long deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
s under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Richard "Dick" Cody who would later serve as the 31st Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army
. Through the 1990s, the Brigade deployed elements to Somalia, Kuwait, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Honduras to defend democracy and assist in hurricane relief operations. On 9 October 1997, 101st Aviation Brigade (largest aviation brigade in the Army at the time) split its nine battalions into two brigades, the 101st Aviation Brigade (Attack) and the 159th Aviation Brigade (Assault). Upon return from its Iraq deployment, the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade was finally restructured to its current form. It now consists of a battalion of AH-64D Apache Longbows (1st Battalion), a battalion/squadron of OH-58D Kiowa Warriors (2/17th Cavalry), an assault battalion of UH-60L Black Hawks (5th Battalion), a general support battalion of CH-47F Chinooks, UH-60A Black Hawks, and UH-60L Black Hawks (6th Battalion), and an aviation support battalion (96th ASB). The 159th Aviation Brigade (Assault) underwent a similar transformation and is currently known as the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade and is also based out of Fort Campbell
, Kentucky
. The 101st Airborne Division is the only division in the military to have two aviation brigades, making it the most flexible and lethal division in the world.
, the 101st CAB has distinguished itself as the military's premiere combat aviation unit during its two deployments to Iraq (2003 and 2005) and three deployments to Afghanistan (2002, 2007, and 2010). The brigade has flown thousands of hours during these combat tours, transporting millions of troops around the battlefield and providing close air support/aerial reconnaissance. The 101st CAB broke its own record for longest air assault in history during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Previously, the longest air assault was conducted in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm.
The 101st Combat Aviation Brigade currently consists of the following units:
-HHC (Avengers)
-A co. (Spectres)
-B co. (Bearcats)
-C co. (Paladins)
-D co. (Dragonslayers)
-E co.
-HHC (Raiders)
-A co. (Phoenix)
-B co. (Lancers)
-C co. (Phantoms)
-D co. (Ghostriders)
-E co. (Renegades)
-F co. (Torch) (Pathfinder)
-HHC (Iron Eagles)
-A co. (Warlords)
-B co. (Pachyderms)
-C co. (Shadow Dustoff)
-D co. (Witchdoctors)
-E co. (Trailblazers)
-F co. (Sky Masters)
-HHT (Headhunters)
-A trp. (Annihilators)
-B trp.
-C trp. (Condors)
-D trp. (Dirty Delta)
-E trp.
-HSC (Blacksheep)
-A co. (Roadrunners)
-B co. (Big Ugly)
-C co.
Combat Aviation Brigade
A Combat Aviation Brigade is a multi-functional brigade-sized unit in the United States Army that fields military helicopters, offering a combination of attack helicopters , reconnaissance helicopters , medium-lift helicopters , heavy-lift helicopters , and MEDEVAC capability.- History :Combat...
of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. It was first organized in July 1968 as an Aviation Group. It was redesignated an Aviation Brigade in 1986. It has served in almost every single military operation (combat, peacekeeping, and humanitarian) since the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. The brigade returned in March and April 2011 from a year-long deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Vietnam
On 1 July 1968, at Camp Eagle in the Republic of Vietnam, the 160th Aviation Group was constituted with elements of the 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry; the 101st Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter); the 158th Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter); and the 159th Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter). Less than a year later, on 25 June 1969, the 160th Aviation Group was redesignated as the 101st Aviation Group.Post-Vietnam Reorganization
On 15 August 1986, the 101st Aviation Group was again redesignated as the 101st Aviation Brigade. The 101st Aviation Brigade was deployed to Saudi Arabia following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990. The 101st fired the first shots of the Persian Gulf War from AH-64 ApacheAH-64 Apache
The Boeing AH-64 Apache is a four-blade, twin-engine attack helicopter with a tailwheel-type landing gear arrangement, and a tandem cockpit for a two-man crew. The Apache was developed as Model 77 by Hughes Helicopters for the United States Army's Advanced Attack Helicopter program to replace the...
s under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Richard "Dick" Cody who would later serve as the 31st Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army
Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army
The Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army is the principal advisor and assistant to the Army Chief of Staff, the second-highest ranking officer in the US Army. He handles the day to day administration of the Army bureaucracy, freeing the Chief of Staff to attend to the interservice...
. Through the 1990s, the Brigade deployed elements to Somalia, Kuwait, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Honduras to defend democracy and assist in hurricane relief operations. On 9 October 1997, 101st Aviation Brigade (largest aviation brigade in the Army at the time) split its nine battalions into two brigades, the 101st Aviation Brigade (Attack) and the 159th Aviation Brigade (Assault). Upon return from its Iraq deployment, the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade was finally restructured to its current form. It now consists of a battalion of AH-64D Apache Longbows (1st Battalion), a battalion/squadron of OH-58D Kiowa Warriors (2/17th Cavalry), an assault battalion of UH-60L Black Hawks (5th Battalion), a general support battalion of CH-47F Chinooks, UH-60A Black Hawks, and UH-60L Black Hawks (6th Battalion), and an aviation support battalion (96th ASB). The 159th Aviation Brigade (Assault) underwent a similar transformation and is currently known as the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade and is also based out of Fort Campbell
Fort Campbell
Fort Campbell is a United States Army installation located astraddle the Kentucky-Tennessee border between Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and Clarksville, Tennessee...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. The 101st Airborne Division is the only division in the military to have two aviation brigades, making it the most flexible and lethal division in the world.
Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom
In support of the Global War on TerrorWar on Terrorism
The War on Terror is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as well as non-NATO countries...
, the 101st CAB has distinguished itself as the military's premiere combat aviation unit during its two deployments to Iraq (2003 and 2005) and three deployments to Afghanistan (2002, 2007, and 2010). The brigade has flown thousands of hours during these combat tours, transporting millions of troops around the battlefield and providing close air support/aerial reconnaissance. The 101st CAB broke its own record for longest air assault in history during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Previously, the longest air assault was conducted in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm.
Current Role and Structure
Since the brigade's restructuring in 2004, the 101st CAB has become a self-sufficient aviation unit. It has successfully utilized the Task Force format in its 2008 and 2010 deployments to southern Afghanistan. In keeping with the traditions by the 101st Airborne Division of using card suits to distinguish subordinate units, the brigade is represented by the diamond (♦) on their helmets.The 101st Combat Aviation Brigade currently consists of the following units:
- Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st CAB (Hell Cats)
- 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment (United States)101st Aviation Regiment (United States)The 101st Aviation Regiment is an aviation regiment of the U.S. Army.-Lineage:Constituted 7 December 1950 in the Regular Army as the 4th Light Aviation SectionActivated 19 December 1950 in KoreaInactivated 5 November 1954 in Korea...
(Expect No Mercy)
-HHC (Avengers)
-A co. (Spectres)
-B co. (Bearcats)
-C co. (Paladins)
-D co. (Dragonslayers)
-E co.
- 5th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment (Eagle Assault)
-HHC (Raiders)
-A co. (Phoenix)
-B co. (Lancers)
-C co. (Phantoms)
-D co. (Ghostriders)
-E co. (Renegades)
-F co. (Torch) (Pathfinder)
- 6th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment (Shadow of the Eagle)
-HHC (Iron Eagles)
-A co. (Warlords)
-B co. (Pachyderms)
-C co. (Shadow Dustoff)
-D co. (Witchdoctors)
-E co. (Trailblazers)
-F co. (Sky Masters)
- 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment (Out Front)
-HHT (Headhunters)
-A trp. (Annihilators)
-B trp.
-C trp. (Condors)
-D trp. (Dirty Delta)
-E trp.
- 96th Aviation Support Battalion (Troubleshooters)
-HSC (Blacksheep)
-A co. (Roadrunners)
-B co. (Big Ugly)
-C co.
External links
- Official Homepage of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade
- 'More missions, more contact' for Task Force Shadow
- Heeding the call: Medevac crews in Afghanistan
- 101st AA's Historic Icons
- 5 101st Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers killed in Afghan Helicopter Crash
- Army Staff Sgt. Brandon M. Silk died 21 June 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom