UNITED STATES ARMY

COMBAT AVIATION BRIGADE, 1st INFANTRY DIVISION (MECHANIZED) Cold War Organization  •  1988

The Combat Aviation Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division included a cavalry reconnaissance squadron with two armored recon troops and two air troops. The former were equipped with the M3A1 cavalry reconnaissance vehicle; the latter were equipped with both light observation (OH-58) and attack (AH-1F) helicopters. The attack helicopter battalion's primary equipment was the AH-1F. The two separate aviation companies provided general aviation support for the division (with a variety of helicopter types) and an air assault/airmobile capability (with the UH-1H). Because of the specialized logistical requirements of aviation units, the brigade had its own support battalion, separate from the Division Support Command (DISCOM).