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Aviation Branch
United States Army Aviation Branch Plaque
Active	1983-
Country	United States
Branch	Army
Type	Aviation
Garrison/HQ	USAAWC, Fort Rucker, Alabama
Motto	Above the Best
Colors	Ultramarine Blue, Golden orange
Insignia
Aviation Branch Insignia

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 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 aviation units flying L-2 observation planes for artillery units. Once again, it was from humble beginnings that the Army would develop a concept of aviation using a new type of aircraft that would show promise during the Korean war and truly revolutionize warfare during Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm

Contents 1 History 2 Mission 3 Heraldry 4 External Links 5 See also

The Army first used light aircraft for artillery forward observation and reconnaissance in June 1942. Following the establishment of the US Air Force as a separate service in 1947, the Army began to further develop its own aviation assets (light planes and rotary wing aircraft) in support of ground operations. The Korean War gave this drive impetus, and the war in Vietnam saw its fruition, as Army aviation units performed a variety of missions, including reconnaissance, transport, and fire support. After the war in Vietnam, the role of armed helicopters as tank destroyers received new emphasis. In recognition of the grown importance of aviation in Army doctrine and operations, Aviation became a separate branch on 12 April 1983.

The mission of Army Aviation is to find, fix, and destroy the enemy through fire and maneuver; and to provide combat, combat service 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.

• Branch Insignia:

  A silver propeller in a vertical position between two gold wings in a horizontal position, 1 1/8 inches in width. The wings are modified and differ from designs currently used on Army and Air Force aviator badges. The insignia draws upon the original insignia for historical and symbolic purposes, but was deliberately modified to signify a new chapter in Army aviation history.

• Branch Plaque:

  The plaque design has the branch insignia in proper colors (gold wings with silver propeller). The letters are golden orange and the rim is gold. The background is ultramarine blue.

• Regimental Insignia:

  Personnel assigned to the Aviation branch affiliate with a specific regiment and wear the insignia of the affiliated regiment.

• Regimental Coat of Arms:

  There is no standard aviation regimental flag to represent all of the aviation regiments. Each regiment of aviation has its own coat of arms which appears on the breast of a displayed eagle. The background of all the aviation regimental flags is ultramarine blue.

• Branch Colors:

  Ultramarine blue piped with Golden Orange.

  • Ultramarine Blue - 65010 cloth; 67118 yarn; Reflex blue PMS.
  • Golden Orange - 65003 cloth; 67109 yarn; PMS 1375.

• Birthday:

  12 April 1983.

• Fort Rucker, Alabama - United States Army Aviation Warfighting Center, home of the Army's Aviation Branch.

• Fort Rucker
• United States Army Aviation School
• United States Army Aviation and Missile Command