25th Combat Aviation Brigade

25th Combat Aviation Brigade. The 25th Combat Aviation Brigade is the aviation combat formation of the United States Army's 25th Infantry Division. Headquartered at Wheeler Army Airfield on the island of Oahu, the brigade provides comprehensive aviation support, including air assault, medical evacuation, and aerial reconnaissance, to the Tropic Lightning Division. As a key component of United States Army Pacific, it maintains a high state of readiness for operations across the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility and beyond.

History

The brigade's lineage traces back to the activation of the 25th Aviation Company in 1963 at Schofield Barracks. It was soon deployed to South Vietnam in support of the 25th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War, participating in numerous operations including those in the III Corps Tactical Zone. Following the war, the unit was reorganized and redesignated several times, evolving from a battalion to a full brigade in 2005. This transformation was part of the broader Army Transformation initiative, which restructured divisions to include organic combat aviation brigades. The brigade has since been a persistent element of the United States Army Pacific force posture, with its history deeply intertwined with the military history of the United States in the Asia-Pacific region.

Organization

The brigade is organized under the modular force concept and comprises several subordinate battalions and companies, each with specialized functions. Its primary maneuver units include the 1st Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, an attack reconnaissance battalion, and the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, which conducts air assault and general support missions. Additional support is provided by the 209th Aviation Support Battalion, which handles maintenance and logistics, and the Company D, 25th Aviation Regiment, a medical evacuation unit. This structure allows the brigade to function as a cohesive and self-sustaining formation under the command of the 25th Infantry Division headquarters at Schofield Barracks.

Aircraft

The brigade operates a diverse fleet of rotary-wing aircraft to fulfill its multi-role mission set. Its primary attack platform is the Boeing AH-64 Apache, a cornerstone of the Army Aviation attack fleet. For utility and air assault missions, it employs the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, a workhorse used by units like the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment. The medical evacuation mission is performed by dedicated UH-60 variants, often referred to as Dustoff aircraft. The brigade also utilizes the Boeing CH-47 Chinook for heavy-lift helicopter requirements, moving troops, equipment, and supplies. Future modernization plans align with the Future Vertical Lift program.

Operations and deployments

Since its designation as a brigade, the unit has conducted multiple combat and operational deployments. Elements of the brigade deployed extensively in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, conducting missions across areas including Baghdad and Anbar Province. It also played a significant role in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, providing aviation support to International Security Assistance Force and Resolute Support Mission operations. In the Pacific theater, the brigade regularly participates in bilateral and multilateral exercises such as Balikatan with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Cobra Gold in Thailand, enhancing interoperability with allies like the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and the Australian Army.

Honors and awards

The brigade and its subordinate units have received numerous unit awards for meritorious service. These include the Meritorious Unit Commandation for service in Vietnam and the Valorous Unit Award for actions during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Individual soldiers have been recognized with high-level decorations such as the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star Medal. The brigade's lineage and honors are perpetuated through its assigned regiments, including the 25th Aviation Regiment, and are reflected in its campaign participation credits from the Vietnam War to the most recent Global War on Terrorism campaigns.

Category:Aviation brigades of the United States Army Category:25th Infantry Division (United States)