Commonly called a unit crest or DUI for short, the 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved when the unit was designated as an Artillery Group on 14 August 1968. It was subsequently authorized for the 69th Air Defense Artillery Group (1972) and finally for the 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade in 1983.
The insignia’s primary colors of red and yellow/gold are historically associated with Artillery (Scarlet is the official Artillery branch color), while the blue nebuly areas, when combined with the crossbow bolts, are an allusion to the air-defense responsibilities of the Brigade.
On their own, the pair of crossbow bolts are a symbol of the unit’s service during World War I and World War II. The laurel wreath and the wavy line above it that divides blue from red is an allusion to the Brigade’s Meritorious Unit Commendation for the Pacific Theater action in World War II, and the broad gold beams are a reference the Brigade’s lineage in the Coast Artillery Corps. A red bottony cross is inspired by the coat of arms of 69th Coast Artillery (Antiaircraft) and the Brigade’s direct descent from it. “Guarding The Skies” is the textual equivalent of the crossbow bolts heading skyward.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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Based at Fort Cavazos, Texas, the 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade is capable of rapidly deploying highly trained units across the global to protect designated forces and geopolitical assets from attacks by Ballistic Missiles, Cruise Missiles, and Manned and Un-manned Aircraft. As of Autumn 2023, it consists of three Battalions (4/5th ADA, 1/44th ADA, and 1/62nd ADA) that are also stationed at Fort Cavazos.