The 209th Support Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), or unit crest, was originally approved for the 185th Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Battalion on 4 February 1943. On 3 January 1954 it was redesignated for the 185th Ordnance Battalion and on 22 June 1967 for the 185th Maintenance Battalion. It was redesignated for the 209th Support Battalion with updated symbolism and description with an effective date of 16 June 2006.
Yellow and crimson, colors of the 209th Support Battalion’s original service branch of Ordnance, are used almost exclusively in the shield portion of the Battalion DUI. A muscular right arm holding a double-end wrench personifies the maintenance functions of the battalion, while an upright sword is a reminder of the martial aspect of the organization’s mission. “Service Behind The Sword,” the unit motto, is a reference to the symbolism on the shield.
Distinctive Unit Insignias are worn by all Soldiers (except General Officers) in units that have been authorized to be issued the device. It is worn centered on the shoulder loops of the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) and the blue Army Service Uniform (ASU, Enlisted only) with the base of the insignia toward the outside shoulder seam. More guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1, Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia" and 21–3(d) and (e), "Beret" and "Garrison Cap," respectively.
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Currently designated as the 209th Aviation Support Battalion and assigned to the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, the 209th Support Battalion was originally constituted as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment,185th Ordnance Heavy Maintenance on 1 May 1936. With the U.S. entry into World War II, the unit was eventually redesignated as the 185th Ordnance Battalion and fought in five major European campaigns. Its next combat action would come during the Vietnam War. After arriving in South Vietnam in August 1965, the Battalion was reorganized and redesignated as HQ and Main Support Company, 185th Maintenance Battalion (Direct Support) in July 1966. Based at Long Binh, the Battalion became one of a mere handful of U.S. Army units to take part in sixteen of the seventeen campaigns of the war, and also earned a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
On 4 May 2004 Headquarters and Main Support Company 185th Maintenance Battalion was redesignated and reorganized as Headquarters and Support Company, 209th Support Battalion. Since that redesignation, it has been awarded three Meritorious Unit Commendations for its support of the War on Terrorism (a Detachment from the Battalion’s Company B was also recognized with the same award).
As an Aviation Support Battalion, the organization now consists of the Headquarters and Support Company, a Distribution Company, an Aviation Maintenance Company, and a Signal Company. It is based at Wheeler Army Air Field in Wahiawa on the island of Oahu in Hawaii where it provides support for the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade.