224 Aviation Bn

• 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.