Combat Aviation Brigade
Encyclopedia
A Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) is a multi-functional brigade
-sized unit in the United States Army
that fields military helicopter
s, offering a combination of attack helicopters (AH-64 Apache
), reconnaissance helicopters (OH-58 Kiowa
), medium-lift helicopters (UH-60 Black Hawk), heavy-lift helicopters (CH-47 Chinook
), and MEDEVAC capability.
to a modular force. There were three types of Combat Aviation Brigades:
Starting in 2010 the Army began to adapt all the Light Combat Aviation Brigades into Full spectrum Combat Aviation Brigades, a decision which will see all Light Combat Aviation Brigades disappear.
fields eight Combat Aviation Brigades within its eight divisions. The Army National Guard brigades are different from the Army's Medium Combat Aviation brigades as they replace the reconnaissance squadrons' OH-58 Kiowa
with the UH-72 Lakota organized into support and security battalions. Thus all brigades consist of one aviation attack battalion (24 x AH-64 Apache
), one aviation security and support battalion (32 x UH-72 Lakota), one aviation assault battalion (38 x UH-60 Black Hawk), one general aviation support battalion (12 x CH-47 Chinook and 12 x HH-60M) and an aviation support battalion for logistic support.
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
-sized unit in 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...
that fields military helicopter
Military helicopter
A military helicopter is a helicopter that is either specifically built or converted for use by military forces. A military helicopter's mission is a function of its design or conversion...
s, offering a combination of attack helicopters (AH-64 Apache
AH-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...
), reconnaissance helicopters (OH-58 Kiowa
OH-58 Kiowa
The Bell OH-58 Kiowa is a family of single-engine, single-rotor, military helicopters used for observation, utility, and direct fire support. Bell Helicopter manufactured the OH-58 for the United States Army based on the 206A JetRanger helicopter. The OH-58 has been in continuous use by the U.S...
), medium-lift helicopters (UH-60 Black Hawk), heavy-lift helicopters (CH-47 Chinook
CH-47 Chinook
The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is an American twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. Its top speed of 170 knots is faster than contemporary utility and attack helicopters of the 1960s...
), and MEDEVAC capability.
History
Combat Aviation Brigades were introduced during the transformation of the United States ArmyTransformation of the United States Army
Army Transformation describes the future-concept of the United States Army's plan of modernization. Transformation is a generalized term for the integration of new concepts, organizations, and technology within the armed forces of the United States....
to a modular force. There were three types of Combat Aviation Brigades:
- Heavy Combat Aviation Brigades have two aviation attack battalions (24 x AH-64 ApacheAH-64 ApacheThe 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...
each), an aviation assault battalion (30 x UH-60 Black Hawk), a general aviation support battalion (8 x UH60 Command Aviation, 12 x CH-47 ChinookCH-47 ChinookThe Boeing CH-47 Chinook is an American twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. Its top speed of 170 knots is faster than contemporary utility and attack helicopters of the 1960s...
and 12x HH-60M) and an aviation support battalion to help with logistics. - Full spectrum Combat Aviation Brigades (formerly Medium) have one aviation attack battalion (24 x AH-64 Apache), one reconnaissance squadron (30 x OH-58D Kiowa WarriorOH-58 KiowaThe Bell OH-58 Kiowa is a family of single-engine, single-rotor, military helicopters used for observation, utility, and direct fire support. Bell Helicopter manufactured the OH-58 for the United States Army based on the 206A JetRanger helicopter. The OH-58 has been in continuous use by the U.S...
), an aviation assault battalion (30 x UH-60 Black Hawk), a general aviation support battalion (8 x UH60 Command Aviation)(12 x CH-47 Chinook and 12 x HH-60M) and an aviation support battalion. - Light Combat Aviation Brigades have two Air Cavalry reconnaissance squadrons (30 x OH-58D Kiowa Warrior each), an aviation assault battalion (30 UH-60 Black Hawk), a general aviation support battalion (8 x UH60 Command Aviation)(12 x CH-47 Chinook and 12 x HH-60M) and an aviation support battalion.
Starting in 2010 the Army began to adapt all the Light Combat Aviation Brigades into Full spectrum Combat Aviation Brigades, a decision which will see all Light Combat Aviation Brigades disappear.
Divisional CABs
- 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Heavy CAB)
- Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division (United States) (Heavy CAB)
- Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division (United States) (Full spectrum CAB)
- Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (United States) (Full spectrum CAB)
- Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division (United States) (Full spectrum CAB)
- Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain DivisionCombat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (United States)The 10th Mountain Division Combat Aviation Brigade is a combat aviation brigade of the United States Army based at Fort Drum, New York. It is a subordinate unit of the 10th Mountain Division....
(Full spectrum CAB) - Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (United States) (Full spectrum CAB)
- Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division (United States) (Full spectrum CAB)
- 101st Combat Aviation Brigade101st Combat Aviation BrigadeThe 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 since the Vietnam War...
, 101st Airborne Division101st Airborne DivisionThe 101st Airborne Division—the "Screaming Eagles"—is a U.S. Army modular light infantry division trained for air assault operations. During World War II, it was renowned for its role in Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, in Normandy, France, Operation Market Garden, the...
(Air Assault) (Full spectrum CAB) - 159th Combat Aviation Brigade159th Combat Aviation BrigadeThe 159th Combat Aviation Brigade is part of the 101st Airborne Division , based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The 101st Airborne Division is the only division with two aviation brigades...
, 101st Airborne Division101st Airborne DivisionThe 101st Airborne Division—the "Screaming Eagles"—is a U.S. Army modular light infantry division trained for air assault operations. During World War II, it was renowned for its role in Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, in Normandy, France, Operation Market Garden, the...
(Air Assault) (Full spectrum CAB)
Separate CABs
- 12th Combat Aviation Brigade12th Combat Aviation Brigade (United States)The 12th Combat Aviation Brigade is a Combat Aviation Brigade of the United States Army. It was first organized as the 12th Aviation Group at Fort Benning, Georgia, on 18 June 1965.-Vietnam:...
, (Heavy CAB) - 16th Combat Aviation Brigade16th Combat Aviation Brigade (United States)The 16th Combat Aviation Brigade is a Combat Aviation Brigade of the United States Army. It is subordinate to I Corps and based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord .The 16th Combat Aviation Brigade currently consists of the following units:...
, (Full spectrum CAB)
US Army National Guard
The Army National GuardArmy National Guard
Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors...
fields eight Combat Aviation Brigades within its eight divisions. The Army National Guard brigades are different from the Army's Medium Combat Aviation brigades as they replace the reconnaissance squadrons' OH-58 Kiowa
OH-58 Kiowa
The Bell OH-58 Kiowa is a family of single-engine, single-rotor, military helicopters used for observation, utility, and direct fire support. Bell Helicopter manufactured the OH-58 for the United States Army based on the 206A JetRanger helicopter. The OH-58 has been in continuous use by the U.S...
with the UH-72 Lakota organized into support and security battalions. Thus all brigades consist of one aviation attack battalion (24 x AH-64 Apache
AH-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...
), one aviation security and support battalion (32 x UH-72 Lakota), one aviation assault battalion (38 x UH-60 Black Hawk), one general aviation support battalion (12 x CH-47 Chinook and 12 x HH-60M) and an aviation support battalion for logistic support.
Divisional CABs
- Combat Aviation Brigade, 28th Infantry Division28th Combat Aviation Brigade (United States)The Combat Aviation Brigade, 28th Infantry Division is a heavy aviation unit of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. The Combat Aviation Brigade is one of five brigades of the 28th Infantry Division. It provides provides aviation assets for both federal and state active duty missions. The...
(PA ARNGPennsylvania Army National GuardThe Pennsylvania Army National Guard, abbreviated PAARNG, is part of the United States Army National Guard and is based in the U.S. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania...
and NJ ARNG) (Heavy CAB) - Combat Aviation Brigade, 29th Infantry Division (MD ARNGMaryland Army National GuardThe Maryland Army National Guard is the Army component of the organized militia of the State of Maryland. It is headquartered at the Fifth Regiment Armory in Baltimore and has units at armories and other facilities across the state....
) (Heavy CAB) - Combat Aviation Brigade, 34th Infantry Division (MN ARNGMinnesota Army National GuardThe Minnesota Army National Guard, along with the Minnesota Air National Guard, is an element of the Minnesota National Guard. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. In fact, the National Guard is the only United States...
, ND ARNGNorth Dakota Army National GuardThe North Dakota Army National Guard is headquartered at the Fraine Barracks in Bismarck, North Dakota, and consists of the 68th Troop Command, headquartered in Bismarck, and the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota...
and ID ARNGIdaho Army National GuardThe Idaho Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization...
) - Combat Aviation Brigade, 35th Infantry Division (MO ARNGMissouri Army National GuardThe Missouri Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization...
, NE ARNGNebraska Army National GuardThe Nebraska Army National Guard is a group of Army National Guard units in the U.S. state of Nebraska. The Adjutant General for these units is Brigadier General Judd H. Lyons, and Assistant Adjutant General of Land Operations is Brigadier General Roma J. Amundson. The Chief of Staff is Colonel...
and UT ARNGUtah Army National GuardThe Utah National Guard comprises both Army and Air National Guard components. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions...
) - Combat Aviation Brigade, 36th Infantry Division (TX ARNGTexas Army National GuardThe Texas Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army, the United States National Guard and the Texas Military Forces . Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support...
, CO ARNGColorado Army National GuardThe Colorado Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization...
, AL NGAlabama Army National GuardThe Alabama Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization...
and KS ARNGKansas Army National GuardThe Kansas Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization...
) - Combat Aviation Brigade, 38th Infantry Division (IN ARNG)
- Combat Aviation Brigade, 40th Infantry Division (CA ARNGCalifornia Army National GuardThe California Army National Guard is the land force component of the California National Guard, one of the reserve component United States Army and is part of the United States National Guard. The California Army National Guard is composed of about 20,000 soldiers...
) - Combat Aviation Brigade, 42nd Infantry Division (NY NGNew York Army National GuardThe New York Army National Guard is a component of the New York National Guard and the Army National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization...
)
See also
- United States Army Aviation BranchUnited States Army Aviation BranchThe Aviation Branch of the United States Army is the administrative organization within the Army responsible for doctrine, manning and configuration for all aviation units....
- Coats of arms of U.S. Army Aviation RegimentsCoats of arms of U.S. Army Aviation RegimentsCoats of arms of U.S. Army Aviation Regiments are heraldic emblems associated with aviation regiments in the US Army. By Army regulation, all regiments of the US Army organized under a Table of Organization and Equipment are authorized a coat of arms to be displayed on the organization's standard,...