185th Aviation Brigade

• Mississippi Roots: The 185th Aviation Brigade is a unit of the Mississippi Army National Guard, headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, and has played a vital role in state and federal missions since its inception. • Established in 1986: The brigade was officially organized on 1 September 1986, initially as the 185th Aviation Group, before later being redesignated as a brigade. • Hurricane Katrina Response: The 185th was instrumental in providing aviation support and disaster relief during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, conducting search and rescue, evacuation, and supply missions. • Global Deployments: Elements of the brigade have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, providing critical aviation support and medevac capabilities. • Multi-State Composition: While headquartered in Mississippi, the brigade commands aviation units from several states, including Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida, demonstrating a wide regional reach. • Modern Aircraft: The 185th Aviation Brigade is equipped with a variety of advanced helicopters, including the UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook, supporting diverse mission sets. • Aerial Firefighting: The brigade has assisted in fighting wildfires in the western United States, utilizing their helicopters’ water buckets to help contain and extinguish fires. • “Above the Best” Motto: The brigade’s motto, “Above the Best,” reflects their commitment to excellence in aviation operations and support. • Training Missions: The 185th regularly conducts intense training exercises, such as medevac drills, air assault operations, and joint training with other military and first responder organizations. • Support to Civil Authorities: In addition to combat operations, the brigade frequently supports civil authorities during natural disasters, search and rescue missions, and homeland security operations, exemplifying the National Guard’s dual mission.