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3rd Combat Aviation Brigade

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Sunday, 02 September 2007

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Originally designated the 3rd Aviation Company (Combat), the unit was activated and assigned to 3rd Infantry Division July 1, 1957 at Fort Benning, Georgia. In 1963, the unit deployed to Southeast Asia.

The unit was activated as a brigade in 1985 as 4th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. The brigade consisted of two attack battalions, one support battalion, and a divisional air cavalry squadron.

In April 1991, the brigade deployed to northern Iraq and Turkey to support Kurdish refugees and prevent Iraqi aggression in the region.

In February 1998, the Aviation Brigade deployed to Kuwait for Operation Desert Thunder and played a critical role in deterring Iraqi aggression.

In August 2002, the brigade deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On March 20, 2003, the Aviation Brigade initiated combat operations with supporting fires from DIVARTY. During the battle at An Nasiriyah, the brigade shaped the battlespace in order for 3rd BCT to destroy enemy units near Talil Airbase. In Baghdad, the brigade continued to play a vital role in the ongoing fight for the security of the city.

In 2004, the unit was redesigned as the Army’s first modular aviation brigade and deployed to Iraq in support of OIF III. The brigade flew over 80,000 hours in support of more than 26,700 combat missions and 3,760 MEDEVAC missions transporting 4,998 patients.

The 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade is currently deployed in support of OIF V, dominating the skies south of Baghdad.

http://www.stewart.army.mil/3DIDWeb/AVN/AviationBrigadehom.htm