The 11th Aviation Brigade Distinctive Unit Insignia—better known to most Soldiers as a DUI or unit crest—was originally approved for the 11th Aviation Group on 22 December 1967. It was subsequently redesignated for the 11th Aviation Brigade with an effective date of 16 October 1987. It was once again redesignated for the 11th Aviation Group with an effective date of 17 November 1993. It was given its designation for the 11th Aviation Command (Theater) on 16 September 2006; ten years later to the day, it was assigned to the 11th Combat Aviation Brigade.
An eagle with spread wings symbolizes the superior flight capabilities of the organization, with the claws extended to denote the unit’s stellar record of revolutionizing air-mobile warfare. Two arrows placed on the wings are an allusion to high speed in flight; they also provide the numerical designation of the unit. Ultramarine blue and golden orange are the branch colors of the unit. “We Make The Difference” is the Brigade’s motto.
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. Current regulations do not permit the DUI to be worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.
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.
The 11th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade can trace its history back to the constitution in the Regular Army of HHC, 11th Air Assault Aviation Group. Assigned to the 11th Air Assault Division, the unit was activated in February 1963 and was subsequently reorganized and redesignated the HHC, 11th Aviation Group on 1 July 1965; at the same time, it was relieved from assignment to the 11th Air Assault Division and assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division. During its time with the 1st Cavalry Division, which ended in May 1971, the Group took part in sixteen Vietnam War campaigns and was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation, a Valorous Unit Award, and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
In October 1987, the Group was redesignated as HHC, 11th Aviation Brigade, the designation under which it would take part in all three Gulf War campaigns in 1990-1991. It was redesignated as HHC, 11th Aviation Group yet again in November 1993, and after inactivation in Germany in August 2005, the unit was redesignated as HHC, 11th Aviation Command and concurrently withdrawn from the Regular Army, allotted to Army Reserve, and activated at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
On 16 September 2016, the lineage of the 11th Aviation Command (Theater) was transferred and redesignated for the 11th Combat Aviation Brigade, while the 11th Aviation Command was redesignated as the Army Reserve Aviation Command. A little over six years later, this DUI was redesignated for the 11th Aviation Brigade in October 2022.
As of Winter 2024, the unit is assigned to the Army Reserve Aviation Command, where it is referred to as the 11th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade. The Brigade is headquartered at Fort Carson, Colorado and consists of three Aviation Battalions and an Aviation Support Battalion.
Related Items
11th Aviation Brigade Patch (SSI)
11th Aviation Brigade Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)