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 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, 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'sStabilization Force 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.
3rd Battalion
3rd Battalion was originally Company C, 1st Aviation Battalion. The 3rd Battalion lead TF Nightmare for TAAC – South in Afghanistan for 7 months in 2016–2017. Currently, the regiment may have up to three battalions.
Distinctive unit insignia
Description
A silver color metal and enamel device in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Per nebuly Argent and Azure 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 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
Blazon
Shield
Per bend nebuly Argent and Azure 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.
Symbolism
Shield
Ultramarine blue is traditionally associated with Aviation units. The alerion 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.
