229th AHB 1st Cavalry

• Formation and Vietnam War Origins: The 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion (AHB) was constituted on 18 March 1963 and activated on 19 July 1963 at Fort Benning, Georgia, as part of the 11th Air Assault Division (Test). It later became an integral unit of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) during the Vietnam War. • Battle of Ia Drang: The 229th AHB played a crucial role in the historic Battle of Ia Drang in November 1965, the first major engagement between U.S. forces and North Vietnamese regulars, providing air mobility, resupply, and medevac operations under fire. • Nickname and Call Sign: The battalion is famously known as the "Flying Tigers," and their radio call sign during Vietnam was "Smiling Tiger." • Distinguished Service: During the Vietnam War, the 229th AHB earned multiple unit citations, including Presidential Unit Citations and the Valorous Unit Award for extraordinary heroism. • Helicopter Types: The battalion has operated various helicopters over the years, including the UH-1 Huey, the AH-1 Cobra, and the AH-64 Apache. • Notable Alumni: Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Crandall and Major Ed Freeman, both 229th pilots, received the Medal of Honor for their heroic actions during the Battle of Ia Drang. • Hollywood Connection: The battalion's actions in Vietnam, especially at Ia Drang, were depicted in the book and movie "We Were Soldiers Once... And Young," with Mel Gibson portraying Colonel Hal Moore, the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry commander. • Post-Vietnam Deployments: The 229th AHB continued its distinguished service after Vietnam, participating in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. • Modernization: In the 1980s and 1990s, the battalion transitioned from the AH-1 Cobra to the advanced AH-64 Apache helicopter, enhancing its firepower and night-fighting capabilities. • Current Status: The 229th AHB remains an integral part of the 1st Cavalry Division’s aviation assets, upholding a legacy of excellence in air assault, support, and reconnaissance missions.