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The Combat Aviation Brigade, 38th Infantry Division is a heavy aviation unit of the Indiana Army National Guard. The Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) is one of four brigades of the 38th Infantry Division within the state of Indiana. It provides aviation assets for both federal and state active duty missions. The aviators of the CAB fly the AH-64D Apache, UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters. The 38th CAB headquarters is at Shelbyville, Indiana.

Creation

The 38th Combat Aviation Brigade traces its lineage to 1 February 1959 with the activation of the 38th Aviation Company at Stout Field, Indianapolis Indiana. Upon activation, the 38th Aviation Company was attached to the 38th Infantry Division, a National Guard infantry division also stationed in Indianapolis. On 1 March 1963, the company reorganized as the Headquarters Company, 38th Aviation Battalion, still assigned to the 38th Infantry Division. On 1 November 1971, the Aviation Battalion relocated to a newly built Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) co-located at the Shelbyville (Indiana) Municipal airport. On 02 October 1986, the 38th Aviation Battalion reorganized and redesignated as the Headquarters and Headquarters, 38th Aviation Brigade, 38th Aviation Brigade.

As of mid-1999, the brigade operated 86 UH-1 Huey and AH-1 Cobra helicopters, as well as a supporting element of 27 M-1 tanks and other ground combat equipment. Although training in the brigade is focused on possible employment in time of war, its soldiers are frequently called on to rescue endangered citizens and perform other emergency missions across the state.

The brigade is composed of the following units:

• Headquarters and Headquarters Company
• 1st Battalion, 104th Aviation Regiment (Attack) (PA NG)
• 1st Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment (Attack)
• 1st Battalion, 150th Aviation Regiment (Assault) (NJ NG)
• 2nd Battalion, 104th Aviation Regiment (General Support)
• 638th Support Battalion (Aviation)(Indiana Army National Guard).

Iraq deployment

The 38th Combat Aviation Brigade was alerted for mobilization in 2008 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Sourcing issues with the subordinate flight units caused the cancellation of the alert in fall 2008. The Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) was subsequently alerted for mobilization for service in OIF. Soldiers of the CAB, 28th Infantry Division began mobilization on 29 January 2009 for Operation Iraqi Freedom 09-11. Over 2,000 soldiers from multiple states completed validation training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma before moving to Camp Buehring, Kuwait. Throughout the opening days of May 2009, soldiers flew into multiple forward operating bases across Iraq with the majority of the brigade based out of Tallil, Al Kut, and Basrah.

Brigade composition for OIF

• HQ CAB
  • 2nd Battalion (General Support), 104th Aviation Regiment
    • Company A (Assault), 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment
    • Company B (Heavy Lift), 2d Battalion, 104th Aviation Regiment
    • Company C (Attack), 3d Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment***
    • Company C (Medical Evacuation), 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment
    • Company D (Maintenance), 2d Battalion, 104th Aviation Regiment
    • Company E (Supply), 2nd Battalion, 104th Aviation Regiment
  • 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment (Montana National Guard)
  • 1st Battalion (Assault Helicopter), 150th Aviation Regiment
  • 1st Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment
  • 628th Support Battalion (Aviation)

(*** Co C, 3d Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment is a Regular Army unit that was OPCON to the 2d Battalion (General Support), 104th Aviation Regiment during OIF 08-10. They are currently task organized as a part of 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, stationed in Germany.)

References

• Global Security.Org, About the 28th Combat Aviation Brigade

CAB028 Category:Pennsylvania Army National Guard Category:Military units and formations in Pennsylvania CAB028