| Aviation Branch | |
|---|---|
United States Army Aviation Branch Plaque |
|
| Active | 1983 – present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | US Army |
| Type | Aviation |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Rucker, Alabama |
| Nickname | Army Aviation |
| Motto | Above the Best |
| Colors | Ultramarine Blue, Golden orange |
| Anniversaries | 12 April 1983 |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding General | Major General Anthony G. Crutchfield |
| Deputy Commanding General | Brigadier General
Kelly J. Thomas |
| Command Sergeant Major | Command Sergeant Major
Tod L. Glidewell |
| Insignia | |
| Aviation Branch Insignia | |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack helicopter | AH-64 |
| Cargo helicopter | CH-47 |
| Multirole helicopter | MH-6 |
| Observation helicopter | OH-58 |
| Trainer helicopter | TH-67 |
| Utility helicopter | UH-60, UH-72 |
| Reconnaissance | MQ-1C, RQ-5, RQ-7, RQ-11 |
| Transport | C-12, C-20, C-23, C-26, C-37 |
The Aviation Branch of the United States Army is the administrative organization within the Army responsible for doctrine, manning and configuration for all aviation units.
After the United States Army Air Corps grew into the Army Air Forces and split into the new service, the United States Air Force, the Army was left with its sole fixed-wing aviation units flying L-2 observation planes for artillery units. The Army would develop a new concept of aviation using the helicopter, that would show promise during the Korean War and would truly revolutionize warfare during the Vietnam War.
Contents |
After the creation of the Army Air Forces, the Army Ground Forces retained the use of light aircraft for artillery forward observation and reconnaissance in June 1942. When the United States Air Force was established as a separate service in 1947, the Army developed its light planes and rotary wing aircraft to support its ground operations. The Korean War and Vietnam War proved the growing capabilities of these aviation assets to perform a variety of missions not covered by the Air Force. In recognition of the demonstrated increasing importance of aviation in Army doctrine and operations, Aviation became a separate branch on 12 April 1983.[1]
The mission of Army Aviation is to find, fix, and destroy the enemy through fire and maneuver; and to provide combat, combat support and combat service support in coordinated operations as an integral member of the combined arms team. On the modern battlefield, Army Aviation, unlike the other members of the combined arms team, has the organic flexibility, versatility, and assets to fulfill a variety of maneuver, CS, CSS, roles and functions. These cover the spectrum of combined arms operations. Aviation can accomplish each of these roles—within the limits of finite assets and capabilities—during offensive or defensive operations and also for joint, combined, contingency, or special operations.
Originally aircraft and pilots were assigned directly to artillery or other units requiring light aircraft. In 1957 the Army decided to create individual company sized units in the numbered Divisions. These companies were soon expanded to Battalion size during the Vietnam war and further expanded in the late 1980s to Regimental-sized support elements under a Brigade headquarters. (Combat Aviation Brigade)