1st Aviation Brigade

Worn from:
15 August 1966 - Current.

Gold and red are colors of the Republic of Vietnam
and of the shoulder-sleeve insignia of the United
States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam; and United
States Army, Vietnam, the commands under which the
brigade was formed and served in armed conflict. The hawk
in flight preparing to strike its prey symbolizes aviation's
impact on modern ground warfare. It was adopted as the
symbol of the new aviation capabilities during the initial
phase of air assault concept testing in 1963. The crusader's
sword, taken from the shoulder-sleeve insignia of the United
States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, identifies the
origin and mission of the brigade in Vietnam. The rapid
increase in aviation units in Vietnam dictated formation
of the aviation brigade to command multiple units.

1st Aviation Brigade was activated 25 May 1966, controlling
all of the separate aviation groups, battalions, and companies
in South Vietnam, along with separate air cavalry squadrons
and troops. It was deactivated 28 Mar 1973.

HQ 1st Aviation Brigade Jun 1966 – Apr 1973
At Tan Son Nhut to Dec 1967 when it moved to
Long Binh; it returned to Tan Son Nhut Dec 1972.

12th Aviation Group III CTZ [initially III and IV]

HQ 12th Avn Gp Sep 1965 – Mar 1973. At Tan Son Nhut to
29 Jun 1966 when it moved to Long Binh.

145th Avn Bn Sep 1963 – Apr 1972
222nd Avn Bn Jun 1966 –Dec 1971
210th Avn Bn Jul 1966 – Sep 1971
mainly surveillance and utility. Formed as Capital
Aviation Bn (Provisional), whose assets went to 210th
Aviation Bn.
269th Avn Bn Jan 1967 – Apr 1971

17th Aviation Group II CTZ

HQ 17th Avn Gp Dec 1965 – Mar 1973.
Activated at Nha Trang, moving to Tuy Hoa Nov 1970
and Pleiku Jan 1972.

52nd Avn Bn Mar 1963 – May 1972
10th Avn Bn Nov 1965 – Feb 1972
11th Avn Bn Nov 1965 – Mar 1972
223rd Avn Bn May 1966 – Apr 1972
mainly surveillance and utility
268th Avn Bn May 1967 – Jan 1972

K/17th Cav Oct 1970 – Jan 1971

16th Aviation Group I CTZ

HQ 16th Avn Gp Jan 1968 – Nov 1971.
Organized at Da Nang.

14th Avn Bn Oct 1964 – Nov 1971
212th Avn Bn Aug 1967 – Jan 1972
mainly surveillance and utility
308th Avn Bn Dec 1967 – Jul 1968

164th Aviation Group IV CTZ

HQ 164th Avn Gp Jan 1968 – Mar 1973.
Organized at Can Tho.

13th Avn Bn Sep 1964 – Apr 1972
214th Avn Bn Apr 1967 – Jan 1972
307th Avn Bn Dec 1967 – Jul 1971
mainly surveillance and utility

C/16th Cav Mar 1970 – Mar 1973

The 11th Aviation Group (HQ) was relieved from
1st Cavalry Division 5 May 1971 and remained in
Vietnam as an element of 1st Aviation Brigade;
it relocated to Da Nang and was in charge of
miscellaneous aviation companies (no battalion HQ)
until it departed Vietnam in Mar 1973.

Campaigns:
Vietnam
(Counteroffensive and Phase II/III/IV/V/VI/VII,
Tet and Tet/69
Counteroffensives, Summer-Fall 1969, Winter-Spring
1970, Sanctuary
Counteroffensive, Consolidation I and II, Cease Fire).

Decorations:
Meritorious Unit Commendations
(streamers emrboidered Vietnam 1969 - 1970;

Vietnam 1970 - 1971; Vietnam 1971 - 1972; Vietnam 1972),

Republic of Vietnam Crosses of Gallantry with Palm
(streamers embroidered Vietnam 1966 - 1967;

Vietnam
1967 - 1968; Vietnam 1969 - 1970; and Vietnam 1970 - 1972),

Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal First Class
(streamer embroidered Vietnam 1971 - 1972).