Army Aviation

• In 1862, during the American Civil War, during an observation flight, Union Army balloonist John La Mountain became the first aviator to receive infantry fire. • In 1913, the United States Army formed a small aviation section, marking the birth of Army Aviation. • During World War II, the Army Air Corps tested the first helicopter designed for military use, the Sikorsky R-4, which became the world's first mass-produced helicopter. • During the Vietnam War, the Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopters, commonly known as "Hueys," played a vital role in medical evacuation and troop transport missions. • The Army Aviation branch was officially established in 1983, separate from the Army Air Corps, to meet the specific needs and requirements of modern warfare. • During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter proved its worth by successfully destroying Iraqi tanks and armored vehicles. • In 2003, during the Iraq War, the U.S. Army utilized Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for reconnaissance and surveillance missions, revolutionizing modern warfare tactics. • Army Aviation units were heavily involved in humanitarian missions, such as the response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, providing critical support and aid to affected populations. • The Army's Black Hawk helicopters have been featured in numerous Hollywood movies, including "Black Hawk Down," which depicts the events of the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. • Army Aviation has a long history of innovation and adaptation, constantly evolving its technology and tactics to meet the ever-changing demands of modern warfare.