Air Assault Badge
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Air Assault Badge | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Awarded by United States Army | |
| Type | Badge |
| Awarded for | Air Assault training course |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 1974 |
| Last awarded | On going |
The Air Assault Badge is a military badge of the United States Army which was first created in 1974. Originally known as the "Airmobile Badge," the badge was initially authorized only for wear by members of the 101st Airborne Division upon permission from the division commander.
In 1978, the Air Assault Badge adopted its current name and the award criteria was changed for Army-wide issuance. The Air Assault Badge is now awarded to any member of the United States Army who satisfactorily completes an air assault training course in accordance with the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command's Standardized Air Assault Core Program of Instruction.
For veterans of the Vietnam War who regularly engaged in Air Assault missions and training, the Air Assault Badge may be retroactively awarded upon application to the United States Army Human Resources Command.
The US Army Air Assault School is a two-week (10 days) course of instruction conducted at several locations across the Army, including Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Drum, NY; Camp Smith, USMA; and at overseas locations in Germany and Hawaii. The course of instruction consists of three primary phases involving US Army rotary-wing aircraft: Combat Air Assault Operations, Rigging and Slingloading Operations, and Rappelling Operations.
BADGE DESCRIPTION: An oxidized silver badge 3/4 inch in height and 1 17/32 inches in width, consisting of a helicopter, frontal view, superimposed upon a pair of stylized wings displayed and curving inward (similar to the Airborne Parachutist Badge, only with a helicopter instead of a parachute over the wings).
BADGE SYMBOLISM: The wings suggest flight and together with the helicopter symbolize individual skills and qualifications in assault landings utilizing the helicopter.
SUBDUED BADGE: Subdued badges are authorized in metal and cloth. The metal badge is black. The cloth badge is of olive drab base cloth with design elements embroidered in black.
