U.S. ARMY 168TH AVIATION REGIMENT UNIT CREST (DUI)

The 168th Aviation Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on 18 September 1989. Ultramarine blue and golden orange, the insignia’s predominant colors, are those of the Army Aviation branch, with blue carrying the additional symbolism of the sky and the traits of dedication, loyalty, and perseverance. Green, jagged bars are an allusion to the forests and mountain terrain of the state of Washington, the unit’s home area. A quiver containing three arrows denotes the unit’s military preparedness, reinforcing the unit motto of “Ready When Needed.” The quiver and arrows are also a reference to the rich Indian heritage of the Regiment’s home region.

Also known as a unit crest or DUI, a Distinctive Unit Insignia is 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.

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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Today consisting of 1st General Support Aviation Battalion, the 168th Aviation Regiment was originally organized and Federally recognized on 15 April 1959 in the Washington Army National Guard as the 41st Aviation Company and assigned to the 41st Infantry Division. It would be reorganized and redesignated as Headquarters Company, 41st Aviation Battalion, an element of the 41st Infantry Division, on 1 March 1963, redesignated as a Headquarters Detachment, 41st Aviation Battalion a year later. It would undergo several more reorganizations and reassignments before it became Attack Helicopter Troop, 116th Armored Cavalry on 1 September 1979.

A decade later, the unit became the 169th Aviation, a parent regiment in the U.S. Army Regimental system consisting of the 1st Battalion. Originally equipped with AH-1 Cobras and OH-58 Kiowa helicopters, the phasing out of the Cobra from Army inventory led to the Regiment being equipped with UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and CH-47 Chinooks as it was classified as the 1-168th Assault Battalion. The Regiment would undergo four reorganizations between 1995 and 2006, with the last organizing the 1st Battalion in the Washington, Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon Army National Guard.

1st Battalion, 168th Aviation Regiment has been ordered into Federal service twice since the launch of the War on Terrorism. While the Battalion as a whole has not been awarded any military decorations and its campaign participation status is yet to be determined, two of its Companies—C and F—have been recognized with military decorations, and they also brought campaign participation from predecessor units in their lineage with them to the Regiment. You can view their decorations and campaign credits at the U.S. Center of Military History 168th Aviation Lineage and Honors Web page.

A part of the 96th Aviation Troop Command, Washington Army National Guard, the 1-168th Aviation Regiment is headquartered at the Aviation Readiness Center on Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington.

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U.S. ARMY 168TH AVIATION REGIMENT UNIT CREST (DUI)