Commonly called a unit crest, the Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI) of the 2nd Aviation Regiment was originally approved for the 2nd Aviation Battalion, which was first constituted as the 2nd Aviation Company on 24 May 1957 at Fort Richardson, Alaska. The Company was reorganized, redesignated, and activated on 20 February 1963 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Aviation Battalion. the
With the creation of the 4th Battalion in 2006, the Regiment comprised four Battalions, but in 2012 the 1st Battalion was attached to the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, and the following year it was reflagged as the 1st Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment. Today, the Regiment’s three active units are the 2nd “Wild Card” Battalion (Assault), the 3rd “Nightmare” General Support Aviation, and the 4th “Death Dealers” Attack Reconnaissance Battalion. All three are assigned to the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.
The 2nd Aviation Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia was first authorized on 5 August 1963, but was redesignated in 1988 when the Regiment was established under the U.S. Army Regimental System. Ultramarine is the color associated with Army Aviation and symbolizes the sky; in the center of the insignia is a stylized mountain peak representing Mt. McKinley in Alaska, near the location that the Regiment’s first unit was activated. Wings are added to the mountain to emphasize the Regiment’s aviation role, while the unit motto of “EXCELSUS” (“lofty”) describes both the Regiment’s standards as well as its primary area of operations.
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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. DUIs are not worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.
Full 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.