63rd Aviation Brigade (United States)

The 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade is an aviation brigade of the United States Army. Headquartered in Frankfort, Kentucky as an element of the Kentucky Army National Guard. Elements of the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade are also part of the New York Army National Guard.

63rd Theater Aviation Brigade
63rd Aviation Brigade shoulder sleeve insignia
Active1986–present
CountryUnited States
AllegianceUnited States Army National Guard
TypeTheater Aviation brigade
RoleAviation
SizeBrigade
Part ofKentucky Army National Guard
Garrison/HQFrankfort, Kentucky
Nickname(s)"Wings of Thunder"
Motto(s)Unbridled Thunder (Formerly: Surpass the Standard)
ColorsYellow and Blue
Commanders
Current
commander		Colonel Michael Armstrong
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia
Standard

Founded 15 September 1986 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Aviation Brigade, 35th Infantry Division,[1] it was reorganized on 1 September 1995 as the 63rd Aviation Group and relieved from assignment to the 35th Infantry Division. At a later date it was upgraded to brigade status as the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade. Both the Distinctive Unit Insignia and the current Shoulder Sleeve Insignia were approved in 2007.

The unit is assigned to providing support to United States Army North aviation missions in the event of a disaster inside the United States, as well as support to civil activities within the State of Kentucky, including security and support for the Kentucky Derby. The unit has also provided support to United States Southern Command missions. Elements of the Brigade have also deployed to Southwest Asia in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

Structure

The brigade falls under the command of the 1st Army Division East and is based at Fort Riley, Kansas. The structure of the 63rd Aviation Brigade is as follows:

  • Headquarters and Headquarters Company: The HHC of the 63rd Aviation Brigade is responsible for providing command and control of the brigade's subordinate units. It also provides administrative and logistical support to the brigade.
  • 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation Regiment: The 1-108th Aviation is an assault helicopter battalion equipped with UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The battalion is responsible for providing air assault, air movement, and casualty evacuation support to the 1st Infantry Division and other joint forces.
  • 1st Battalion, 130th Aviation Regiment: The 1-130th Aviation is a general support aviation battalion equipped with CH-47 Chinook helicopters. The battalion is responsible for providing heavy lift support to the 1st Infantry Division and other joint forces.
  • 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment: The 2-135th Aviation is a reconnaissance and surveillance battalion equipped with RQ-7 Shadow unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The battalion is responsible for providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support to the 1st Infantry Division and other joint forces.
  • 498th Aviation Support Battalion: The 498th ASB is a support battalion responsible for providing maintenance, supply, transportation, and medical support to the 63rd Aviation Brigade and its subordinate units.

References
  1. Kentucky National Guard E-Museum, 63d Theater Aviation Brigade, accessed June 2020.


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