Aviation

Branch Type: Combat Arms

Birthday: 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.

Mission Statement: The mission of Army Aviation is to find, fix, and destroy the enemy through fire and maneuver; and to provide combat, combat service and combat service support in coordinated operations as an integral member of the combined arms team.

Career Management Field: Aviation(15)

AIT Location: AFAIK Fort Rucker, Alabama

Additional Resources: Army Aviation Units

Alphanumeric changes

All three career management fields in this branch have combined into a single CMF. All military occupational specialties made the change in fiscal year 2004 except for 67G(Utility Airplane Repairer) and 68J(Aircraft Armament/Missile Systems Repairer); they will change in 2006 and 2005, respectively. The combined CMF has the numeric designator of 15.

View Enlisted MOS List

		(Each Aviation Regiment has its own regimental insignia and coat of arms)
Branch Insignia	Branch Plaque