25th avn

• Formation and Early Days: The 25th Aviation Regiment was constituted on 1 February 1957 and assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, based in Hawaii, marking the beginning of its storied history. • Vietnam War Service: The unit, then known as the 25th Aviation Battalion, deployed to Vietnam in 1966 and supported the division with aerial reconnaissance, troop transport, and close air support missions. • Nickname "Little Bears": During Vietnam, elements of the unit were nicknamed the "Little Bears," a moniker still remembered by veterans and used by some of the company callsigns. • Distinguished Unit Awards: The regiment earned several awards for valor, including Presidential Unit Citations and Valorous Unit Awards for its actions during the Vietnam War. • Modernization: Over the decades, the 25th Aviation Regiment has operated various aircraft, from the UH-1 "Huey" and AH-1 "Cobra" to modern UH-60 Black Hawks, CH-47 Chinooks, and AH-64 Apaches. • Disaster Response: The regiment has played crucial roles in humanitarian missions, such as providing aid after hurricanes in Hawaii and responding to volcanic eruptions, showcasing its versatility beyond combat. • Global Deployments: Elements of the 25th Aviation Regiment have deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, earning commendations for their service. • Night Stalkers Connection: Some personnel and tactics from the 25th Aviation during the Vietnam era contributed to the development of special operations aviation techniques later used by the famed 160th SOAR ("Night Stalkers"). • "Tropic Lightning": As part of the 25th Infantry Division ("Tropic Lightning"), the aviation regiment shares a proud lineage with one of the Army's most deployed and recognized divisions. • Unit Insignia: The 25th Aviation Regiment's distinctive unit insignia features a winged sword and the "Tropic Lightning" bolt, symbolizing speed, power, and the unit’s aviation heritage.