About this Unit
The 224th Aviation Battalion was constituted on 1 February 1966 in the Regular Army and activated on 25 February 1966 at Fort Benning, Georgia. During the Vietnam War, the battalion served as a key aviation unit, providing aerial reconnaissance, surveillance, and support to ground forces, notably utilizing OV-1 Mohawk aircraft. It played a significant role in gathering intelligence and supporting combat operations throughout the conflict. The 224th Aviation Battalion continued its service until it was inactivated following the end of major U.S. involvement in Vietnam.
Historical Facts
• Vietnam War Origins: The 224th Aviation Battalion (Radio Research) was activated in Vietnam in 1966, tasked with providing aerial electronic warfare and signals intelligence support.
• Nickname "Hunter-Killer": The unit was often referred to as a "hunter-killer" force due to its role in locating enemy units using electronic surveillance, then directing air or ground assets to engage them.
• Aircraft Used: The battalion flew several aircraft types, including the RU-6A Beaver, RU-8D Seminole, and RU-21 Ute, all modified for electronic intelligence (ELINT) missions.
• Distinctive Patch: The 224th Aviation Battalion's insignia features a winged dragon holding a lightning bolt, representing speed, power, and electronic warfare capabilities.
• Support to MACV: The unit worked closely with the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV), providing real-time intelligence for tactical operations across South Vietnam.
• Operation Igloo White: The battalion played a key role in Operation Igloo White, an advanced sensor and surveillance network deployed along the Ho Chi Minh Trail to detect North Vietnamese movements.
• High Risk Missions: Crews often flew low and slow over hostile territory, making them vulnerable to enemy ground fire and surface-to-air missiles, resulting in several aircraft losses.
• Medal of Honor Connection: Captain Steven L. Bennett, a pilot with the 224th, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1972 for his heroic actions while piloting a reconnaissance mission.
• Disbandment: After the Vietnam War, the battalion was inactivated but its legacy continued in subsequent Army aviation and intelligence units.
• Legacy: The 224th Aviation Battalion set the standard for aerial electronic warfare and signals intelligence, influencing the development of modern Army airborne ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) operations.
