UNITED STATES ARMY

4th BRIGADE (COMBAT AVIATION), 3rd INFANTRY DIVISION Cold War Organization  •  1988

The 4th Brigade (Combat Aviation) of the 1st Armored Division included a cavalry reconnaissance squadron with two armored recon troops and two air troops. The former were mounted in M3 cavalry reconnaissance vehicles; the latter were equipped with both light observation (OH-58) and attack (AH-1F) helicopters. OF the two attack helicopter battalions, the 2-1 AVN's primary equipment was the AH-1F and the 3-1 AVN's primary equipment was the AH-64. 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). These two companies were grouped together as Task Force Phoenix. Because of the specialized logistical requirements of aviation units, the brigade had its own support battalion, separate from the Division Support Command (DISCOM).