36th Combat Aviation Brigade

36th Combat Aviation Brigade
U.S. Army · Public domain · source
Unit name	36th Combat Aviation Brigade
Dates	1985–present
Country	United States
Branch	Army National Guard
Type	Aviation brigade
Role	Aviation support and assault
Size	Brigade
Command structure	36th Infantry Division (United States)
Garrison	Harris County, Texas
Nickname	"Arrowhead"
Notable commanders	Major General, Brigadier General

36th Combat Aviation Brigade is an aviation brigade of the United States Army National Guard aligned under the 36th Infantry Division (United States). The brigade provides rotary-wing assault, air movement, and aviation support across domestic missions and expeditionary operations. Elements of the brigade have been mobilized for contingency operations, disaster relief, and support to joint task forces.

History

The brigade traces origins to aviation assets organized during the late Cold War era and post‑Cold War transformation of the United States Army Aviation Branch. Reorganization during the 1990s and 2000s followed force structure initiatives such as the Army Modular Force conversion and the Realignment of Army Aviation Forces. The unit expanded through integration with Texas National Guard aviation battalions and elements from other state guard organizations, influenced by strategic guidance from United States Northern Command and United States Army Forces Command. During the Global War on Terror, the brigade's parent division and subordinate aviation elements supported operations directed by United States Central Command and United States Southern Command. The brigade has also been routinely tasked by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for domestic response and by state authorities during natural disasters in Gulf Coast states.

Organization and Structure

The brigade is organized into assault, general support, and aviation support battalions, aligned under division aviation brigade constructs developed in the Modularity reform (United States Army). Typical subordinate units include an Assault Helicopter Battalion (United States) equipped for air assault missions, a General Support Aviation Battalion (United States) providing heavy lift and MEDEVAC, and an Aviation Support Battalion (United States) offering maintenance and sustainment. Headquarters elements coordinate with the Texas Military Department and interoperability partners such as the Air National Guard and United States Air Force airlift and close air support assets. Command relationships can shift to joint task forces under United States Northern Command for homeland response or to United States Central Command for overseas deployments.

Deployments and Operations

Elements of the brigade and its battalions have deployed to support operations in Iraq War, Operation Enduring Freedom, and stability missions across Southwest Asia. The brigade provided combat aviation support during counterinsurgency operations directed by Multi-National Force – Iraq and sustained air assault and air movement missions in theater. The unit has supported multinational exercises with partners such as NATO, Coalition forces, and regional militaries in Central America during security cooperation missions under the auspices of United States Southern Command. Domestically, the brigade has executed relief operations after events like Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Harvey, and other Gulf Coast storms, coordinating with Federal Emergency Management Agency and state emergency management agencies for search and rescue, transportation, and logistics.

Aircraft and Equipment

The brigade fields a mix of rotary-wing platforms aligned with Army aviation force design, including utility and assault helicopters, heavy-lift airframes, and medical evacuation variants. Typical aircraft operated have included the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk for air assault and MEDEVAC, the Boeing CH-47 Chinook for heavy lift, and utility variants supporting command and control. Aviation support battalions maintain maintenance equipment, avionics suites, and ground support vehicles compatible with Army aviation logistics systems such as the Aviation and Missile Command networks. Unit survivability and force protection integrate systems aligned with Counter-IED and expeditionary sustainment practices endorsed by Department of Defense aviation safety programs.

Training and Readiness

Training cycles follow readiness models promulgated by United States Army Training and Doctrine Command and United States Army Forces Command standards, including collective training at regional centers like Fort Hood, Fort Bliss, and joint regional training centers. Aircrew qualification pathways emphasize mission essential tasks from Initial Entry Rotary Wing Training graduates through unit transition training on UH-60 and CH-47 platforms. The brigade participates in large‑scale exercises such as Operation Noble Eagle support missions, multinational interoperability exercises with NATO partners, and domestic readiness inspections overseen by National Guard Bureau evaluation teams. Medical readiness, maintenance proficiency, and aviation life support equipment sustainment are assessed during scheduled combat readiness evaluations and annual training rotations.

Honors and Decorations

Subordinate units of the brigade and their soldiers have received campaign credits and unit awards recognizing service during contingency operations and disaster response. Decorations have included unit commendations authorized by Department of the Army and service medals tied to deployments under Department of Defense operational authorities. State-level awards from the Texas Governor and recognitions from federal agencies such as Federal Emergency Management Agency have acknowledged domestic response contributions. Individual personnel have earned decorations ranging from service medals awarded for participation in Iraq War and Operation Enduring Freedom deployments to merit awards for lifesaving actions during hurricane response.

Category:United States Army National Guard aviation brigades Category:Military units and formations in Texas