When the 17th Aviation Brigade cased its colors at Camp Humphreys in South Korea on June 18, 2005, it was less than six months away from celebrating the 40th anniversary of its activation in Vietnam as the 17th Aviation Group, which was tasked with the command and control of all non-divisional aviation assets in II Corps Tactical Zone.
During its time in Vietnam, the 17th Aviation Group embodied the motto “Freedom’s Eagles” by officially participating in 16 of the 17 campaigns conducted by U.S. Army in the country (the very first campaign, Advisory, was completed before the unit was activated). Honored with five Republic of Vietnam Crosses of Gallantry with Palm, the group was inactivated following its return stateside in the spring of 1973.
Reactivated in 1975 in South Korea, the group was redesignated the 17th Aviation Brigade a dozen years later. At the time of its inactivation, it was equipped with CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and the C-12 Huron cargo plane. It was replaced by the 2nd Multifunctional Aviation Brigade consisting of Apache attack helicopters, Chinook and Black Hawk cargo helicopters and the C-12.
The brigade’s motto is proudly on display in its Combat Service Identification Badge (CSIB). A broad sword, adapted from the brigade’s unit crest (Distinctive Unit Insignia), stands for the combat readiness and quick-strike capability the unit exercised over its years of combat missions in Vietnam. Its placement between two wings signifies the unit’s ability to lift and transport soldiers to and from battle. The dominant colors of ultramarine blue and golden orange are the longtime colors of Aviation units.
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17th Aviation Brigade Patch (SSI)
17th Aviation Brigade Unit Crest (DUI)