The 297th Support Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, commonly called a unit crest or a DUI, was approved on 10 January 1989. A polestar at the top of the shield portion of the insignia alludes to the North Star, always present as a reference point and guide in the night skies of the unit’s home state of Alaska. A wavy bar below it symbolizes the pulsating veil of the aurora borealis, the colorful atmospheric effect seen in Alaska and elsewhere in high-latitude regions.
A stylized eagle’s head is a device familiar to Alaskan native that announce the owner’s legendary descent and here embodies the unit’s Support mission to Scout Battalions: the eagle is swift and possesses extraordinary eyesight and hearing capabilities, and it also can warn of approaching enemies.
The shield is divided by a chevron, traditional heraldic symbol of support and strength, and when combined with the color white it is an allusion to Mt. Denali and Alaska’s far-flung snow fields and glaciers. “Arctic Support” is the Battalion motto.
Constituted on 10 January 1986, the 279th Support Battalion was organized and Federally recognized on 6 November 1987 at Wasilla, Alaska. It was reorganized on 1 September 1995 in the Alaska and California National Guard with Headquarters at Wasilla on 1 September 1995.
As of June 2021, the unit is not listed as being part of the Alaska or California Army National Guard and is likely inactivated. Please email us if you have information regarding the status of this unit, including date of inactivation or news of reactivation.
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The 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.
Full guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1,
Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia."]