4th Aviation Regiment (United States)

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The 4th Aviation Regiment is a United States Army aviation regiment assigned to the 4th Infantry Division. It traces its history to April 1, 1957, when it was formed as the 4th Aviation Company in the Regular Army and activated at Fort Lewis, Washington.

In 1963 it reorganized as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Aviation Battalion. The battalion served in Vietnam, flying in numerous campaigns. In the Central Highlands at Camp Enari (Dragon Mountain) near Pleiku, it operated UH-1 Hueys and UH-1D gunships. The Huey “slicks” were known as Black Jacks, while the gunships were called Gamblers. In 1968 the Bell AH-1 Huey Cobra entered service for the battalion, whose gunship motto was Ace High. The battalion was inactivated on December 4, 1970.

On November 21, 1972, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Aviation Battalion, was redesignated as Aviation Company, 4th Infantry Division, and activated at Fort Carson, Colorado. In 1980 it was reorganized and redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Aviation Battalion, with organic elements activated. On August 16, 1987, it became the 4th Aviation, a parent regiment under the United States Army Regimental System. On October 1, 2005, the word Regiment was formally added to the title.

Elements of the regiment participated in the Iraq War, including 2005–06. In 2004, as the 4th Infantry Division became the Army’s modular division, the Aviation Brigade was expanded to include a new attack helicopter battalion and an assault helicopter battalion, increasing Apache helicopter strength from 16 to 48 in two battalions. Seven CH-47 Chinook helicopters were moved to Fort Hood to integrate with 2-4th Aviation. By December 2005, the Combat Aviation Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division operated from Camp Taji, Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Today the regiment includes four battalions. It flies the AH-64D Apache attack helicopter, the CH-47F Chinook cargo helicopter, and the UH-60M Blackhawk utility helicopter. The regiment’s nickname is Ivy Eagles, and its motto is Vigilantia Aeterna (eternal vigilance). Its insignia identifies the unit as part of the 4th Infantry Division.