Now In: Armed Services → Army → Branch of Service → Aviation

U.S. Army Branch of Service

 

 

The Army Aviation branch was established

as a basic branch of the Army effective 12 April 1983.

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 Insignia:

 

A silver propeller in a vertical position between

two gold wings in a horizontal position, 1 1/8 inches in width.

 

 

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.

 

The branch colors for aviation were approved concurrently

with the branch insignia on 7 August 1983 by the

Chief of Staff Army. These colors were used by the

Army Air Corps during its existence.

 

Birthday:

 

12 April 1983. 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.