25th Combat Aviation Brigade

25th Combat Aviation Brigade
Unit name	25th Combat Aviation Brigade
Caption	Shoulder sleeve insignia
Dates	1988–present
Country	United States
Allegiance	United States Army
Branch	United States Army Aviation Branch
Type	Combat aviation brigade
Role	Aviation support and attack
Size	Brigade
Garrison	Schofield Barracks
Nickname	"Arctic Sabers"
Motto	"Arctic Wolves"
Notable commanders	William H. Webster

25th Combat Aviation Brigade is a United States Army combat aviation brigade stationed at Schofield Barracks on Oʻahu, Hawaii. The brigade provides rotary-wing attack, assault, reconnaissance, and support to the 25th Infantry Division and joint forces across the Indo-Pacific region, executing missions that integrate with United States Indo-Pacific Command, Pacific Air Forces, and multinational partners. Its roles have included combat operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and training exercises with partners such as Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Army, and Australian Army.

History

The brigade traces lineage to aviation elements serving in the Vietnam War and was reorganized during post-Vietnam Army aviation reforms under the United States Army Aviation Branch. It participated in the post-Cold War pivot to the Asia-Pacific theater and supported operations during the Persian Gulf War era realignments. In the 21st century, the brigade sustained rotations to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq, and regionally focused deployments supporting Operation Tomodachi relief and multinational exercises such as Balikatan, Talisman Sabre, and Rim of the Pacific Exercise. The unit adapted to evolving threats by integrating lessons from the Global War on Terrorism and modernization initiatives under the Army Futures Command.

Organization and Subunits

The brigade comprises attack reconnaissance, general support, assault helicopter, and aviation support battalions aligned with brigade combat teams. Typical subordinate elements include an attack helicopter battalion equipped with AH-64 Apache, an assault helicopter battalion flying UH-60 Black Hawk variants, a general support aviation battalion operating CH-47 Chinook aircraft, and an aviation support battalion providing maintenance and sustainment. It maintains aviation logistics teams, an air traffic services detachment coordinating with Federal Aviation Administration airspace procedures, and liaison detachments for joint operations with United States Marine Corps aviation and United States Air Force units. The brigade's structure allows integration with division-level headquarters like the 25th Infantry Division and joint task forces under United States Indo-Pacific Command.

Operational Deployments

Units from the brigade have deployed in support of expeditionary campaigns and humanitarian missions across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East. Deployments included counterinsurgency and close air support missions in Iraq War and Afghanistan, where aviation elements conducted air assault, medevac, and re-supply in coordination with NATO partners and Combined Joint Task Force headquarters. The brigade provided disaster relief after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami as part of Operation Tomodachi, supported flood response in Philippines events, and participated in multilateral exercises with Japan Self-Defense Forces, Republic of Korea Armed Forces, Royal Australian Air Force, and the Canadian Armed Forces. Rotations have integrated with United States Pacific Fleet amphibious operations and supported contingency response plans under the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command posture.

Equipment and Aircraft

The brigade fields a mix of rotary-wing platforms optimized for assault, lift, reconnaissance, and sustainment. Primary types include the Boeing AH-64 Apache for attack and reconnaissance, the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk family for air assault and medevac, and the Boeing CH-47 Chinook for heavy lift and logistics support. Aviation support units employ specialized maintenance vehicles, avionics test sets, and survivability equipment certified under Defense Logistics Agency provisioning. The brigade has retrofitted platforms with improved sensors, communication systems interoperable with Link 16, and survivability suites derived from Aviation Restructuring Initiative and Army modernization programs overseen by U.S. Army Materiel Command and Program Executive Office Aviation.

Training and Doctrine

Training follows United States Army Training and Doctrine Command frameworks and aviation-specific standards from the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Novosel. Crews conduct collective training on air assault, close air support, night operations using AN/ASQ-236 sensors, instrument flight rules interoperability with Federal Aviation Administration standards, and combined arms rehearsals with 25th Infantry Division brigades. The brigade routinely participates in multinational exercises such as Cobra Gold, RIMPAC, Balikatan, and Talisman Sabre to refine expeditionary tactics, techniques, and procedures under doctrines promulgated by Joint Chiefs of Staff publications and Army Doctrine Publication guidance. Flight training, maintenance sustainment, and safety oversight are coordinated with the Aviation Safety Directorate and aviation doctrine centers.

Honors and Decorations

Elements of the brigade and its predecessor units have been awarded campaign streamers and decorations for service during the Vietnam War, Gulf War, and post-9/11 operations, including Meritorious Unit Commendation and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award cooperation recognitions when attached to joint taskings. Individual battalions have received theater-specific awards for performance in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and humanitarian mission citations following relief operations for the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami and Pacific typhoon responses. The brigade's honors reflect contributions to combined operations with partners such as the Japan Self-Defense Forces, Republic of Korea Armed Forces, and Australian Defence Force.

Category:Brigades of the United States Army Category:United States Army aviation brigades