| 10th Combat Aviation Brigade | |
|---|---|
.svg) 10th Mountain Division shoulder sleeve insignia | |
| Active | 2 July 1988—Present |
| Country |  United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Type | Aviation |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of | 10th Mountain Division |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Drum, New York |
| Nickname(s) | Falcon Brigade |
| Motto(s) | "Fly to Glory" |
| Equipment | AH-64, CH-47, OH-58D, UH-60 |
| Engagements | Afghanistan Campaign Iraq Campaign |
The 10th Combat Aviation Brigade is an aviation unit of the United States Army based at Fort Drum, New York. It is a subordinate unit of the 10th Mountain Division. Activated in 1988, as the 10th Aviation Brigade, the brigade supported the division through numerous combat and contingency operations in the 1990s, including Operation Restore Hope, Operation Uphold Democracy, Task Force Eagle, as well as disaster relief following Hurricane Andrew. The brigade has deployed three times as a brigade-size aviation task force during the War on Terrorism, two deployments to Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom, and one tour in Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. The brigade has also provided battalion-sized aviation task forces in support of other units' deployments to Iraq.
Organization
editThe 10th Combat Aviation Brigade is comprised of five principal battalions under the command of its Headquarters and Headquarters Company.[1] The brigade commands 1st Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment (1/10 Aviation), 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment (2/10 Aviation), 3rd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment (3/10 Aviation), and 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment (6-6 Cavalry), which together operate UH-60 Black Hawks, AH-64 Apaches, CH-47 Chinooks, and OH-58 Kiowas. In addition, the 277th Aviation Support Battalion provides supporting maintenance and logistic services to the battalions when they are deployed, making the brigade capable of operating independently of higher command headquarters, as well as capable of taking on additional battalions and units when deployed, as necessary.[1]
History
editThe 10th Aviation Brigade was activated as part of the 10th Mountain Division on 2 July 1988, at Griffis Air Force Base in Rome, New York. The Brigade comprised 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment flying AH-1 Cobras and OH-58A/C Kiowas, 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment flying UH-60 Black Hawks, and 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry flying the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior. The Brigade played a key role in Division missions, such as Stabilization Force 6 (SFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ice Storm 98 in Upstate New York, Hurricane Andrew relief in South Florida, Operation Restore Hope and Continue Hope in Somalia, and Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti. In each instance, the Brigade demonstrated it's capability to rapidly deploy and conduct aviation missions upon arrival while emphasizing safety and readiness throughout.
Operation Uphold Democracy
edit
In September 1994, 10th Aviation Brigade deployed as part of the Multinational Force Haiti (MNF Haiti) and Joint Task Force 190 (JTF 190) in Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy.[2] On 19 September 1994, 54 helicopters of the 10th Aviation conducted the Army’s first air assault from an aircraft carrier, lifting almost 2,000 soldiers of the 1st Brigade to occupy the Port-au-Prince International Airport. This was the largest Army air operation conducted from a carrier since the Doolittle Raid in World War II.[3]
War on Terrorism
edit
In 2003, the brigade deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, where it provided air support for all U.S. Army units operating in the country. The brigade's mission at that time focused on close air support, medevac missions, and other duties involving combat with Taliban and Al-Qaeda forces in the country. Meanwhile, Task Force Lighthorse (3-17 Cavalry), composed of four of the squadron's troops;[note 1] C Company, 1st Battalion, 10th Aviation; A Company, 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation, and a platoon from C Company, 10th Aviation was deployed from Fort Drum to northern Iraq to serve as the aviation task force for the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) in November 2003. All of the elements of the brigade returned to Fort Drum in 2004.[4]
In 2005, as part of the Army's transformation to a modular fighting force, the 10th Aviation Brigade was reorganized as the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB). The brigade retained its cavalry squadron, and attack and assault battalions, and gained a general support aviation battalion, 3rd Battalion, 10th Aviation (GSAB). C Company, 10th Aviation was inactivated and reorganized as the 277th Aviation Support Battalion (ASB). In February 2005, 1st Battalion deployed to Mosul, Iraq to support the 172nd SBCT. In 2006, the brigade deployed again to Afghanistan, without 1-10 Aviation, which was still deployed in Iraq, and without 3-17 Cavalry, which remained behind as the rear detachment headquarters for the Brigade. Stationed at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, Task Force Falcon provided logistical and aviation support for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) forces throughout the country, conducting tactical movement of troops and equipment, and performing security and attack operations in an effort to help build the Afghan National Security Force's capability and allow the Afghan government to increase its capabilities.[5]
After 1st Battalion returned from Iraq, the unit was redesignated as an armed reconnaissance squadron and reflagged as 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry. and the Brigade returned to In 2008, the Brigade deployed to Iraq as part of continued operations in that country.[5]
Honors
editUnit decorations
edit| Ribbon | Award | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) | 2003–2004 | for service in Iraq[6] |
Campaign streamers
edit| Conflict | Streamer | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Operation Enduring Freedom | Afghanistan | 2003—2004 |
| Operation Enduring Freedom | Afghanistan | 2006—2007 |
Notes
edit- ^ A Troop was deployed with the 10th Aviation Brigade to Afghanistan as a reconnaissance/security element
References
edit- ^ a b "10th Mountain Division Organization". Fort Drum Public Affairs Office. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
divhistwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
GSOwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "10th Combat Aviation Brigade Assumes OEF Aviation Mission". Defenselink.mil. Retrieved 2009-07-19.
- ^ a b "GlobalSecurity.org: 10th Combat Aviation Brigade". GlobalSecurity. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "War on Terrorism Awards". US Army Center for Military History. Retrieved 2009-07-30.