The long sterling history of the 8th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment dates back to 25 August 1943 at Camp Swift, Texas. The unit was initially activated as 5th Quartermaster Troop Transport Battalion.
The Battalion joined the 101st Airborne Division on 1 Jul 68 when it was redesigned as Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 5th Transportation Battalion and activated in Vietnam. The Battalion participated in numerous conflicts and operations from its base camp in Phu Bai. Later, the unit was honored with the Meritorious Unit Commendation, First Oak Leaf Cluster, for its service and support of those combat operations. The Battalion was relieved from its assignment in Vietnam and returned to Fort Campbell on 19 January 1972. The Battalion was inactivated and redesignated on 19 September 1986 as the 222nd Aviation Maintenance and Supply Battalion
On 16 October 1987, the Battalion was inactivated and activated as we know it today, 8th Battalion 101st Aviation Regiment, assigned to the101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Advance elements of the 8th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment began deploying from Fort Campbell on 18 August 1990 to quickly establish forward operations in Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield. The Battalion rapidly became fully operational providing Intermediate Aviation support, allowing the 101st Airborne Division to establish the contingency force required for its next "Rendezvous with Destiny". The Battalion continued to support operations in TAA Campbell with 607 personnel. The Battalion’s long awaited return to Fort Campbell became reality on 11 April 1991.
The 8th Battalion soldiers continued to support the enormous task of redeployment from operations conducted in Southwest Asia. By September 1991, the Division was readied as the Army’s premier rapid deployment Division. This accomplishment was largely in part to the efforts of the soldiers assigned the "Troubleshooter" Battalion.
Since redeployment from Southwest Asia the battalion has gone on to support every major deployment and exercise the 101st Airborne Division has had aircraft take part in. From Somalia to Honduras, to taking part in SEDREs and every Combat Training Center rotation the Division has attended.
Today, the elements of 8th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment make up the largest Aviation Battalion in the U.S. Army. They proudly stand ready to serve and support the most powerful and only Air Assault Division in the free world.
Submitted By:
R. Lawrence
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