Loading..

Product was successfully added to your shopping cart.





Navigation

Air Assault Badge, 1st Pattern, Color - Combat Badges & Skill Awards - Insignia

Air Assault Badge, 1st Pattern, Color

Product Code: Air-Ass-Col Category: Combat Badges & Skill Awards

Be the first to review this product

Air Assault Badge, 1st Pattern, Color. We have finally reproduced this hard to find patch.

With the activation of the 11th Air Assault Division (Test) on 15 February 1963 at Fort Benning, Georgia, the division
commander, then Brigadier General Harry W. O. Kinnard, began to fashion an operational reality from a vision – what later
came to be called “airmobility”.

Part of this mission was to create a ‘state of mind’ among the members of the division – “sky soldiers” as they were called –
to instill in them belief in the new airmobile concept. Airmobility had to do more than merely provide Infantry troops with
helicopters for rides – it needed to train all ground elements in conjunction with all air elements to create a well-honed combat
fighting team.

To differentiate 11th Air Assault Division “sky soldiers” from other Army units, General Kinnard had designed and
established a ‘special’ badge’ that his “sky soldiers” could wear as a mark of their airmobility expertise. This became the
11th Air Assault Division (Test) “Air Assault Badge”, first issued in the spring of 1964.

It was never officially recognized by the Army, and Kinnard stated "I wear my original Air Assault Badge proudly, as may anyone in the first shift of the Jumping Mustangs and as far as the rest of you, I personally authorize it. I doubt if anyone will question you."

In order to qualify for this badge, each soldier had to successfully rappel from a helicopter, thrice from 60 feet and twice from
120 feet. Each soldier had to pass aircraft safety procedures, an aircraft orientation, arm and hand signals, combat assault
operations, prepare, inspect and rig equipment for a sling load, and be able to lash down equipment carried in cargo helicopters.

Despite the 11th Air Assault (Test) being rolled into the 1st Cavalry Division, the "Original" Air Assault Badge was an item of pride and you see it in use throughout the 60's in both US and in-country made styles in color and subdued. Originals are very hard to find and coveted by their owners.
$10.00
Description

Details

Air Assault Badge, 1st Pattern, Color. We have finally reproduced this hard to find patch. With the activation of the 11th Air Assault Division (Test) on 15 February 1963 at Fort Benning, Georgia, the division commander, then Brigadier General Harry W. O. Kinnard, began to fashion an operational reality from a vision – what later came to be called “airmobility”. Part of this mission was to create a ‘state of mind’ among the members of the division – “sky soldiers” as they were called – to instill in them belief in the new airmobile concept. Airmobility had to do more than merely provide Infantry troops with helicopters for rides – it needed to train all ground elements in conjunction with all air elements to create a well-honed combat fighting team. To differentiate 11th Air Assault Division “sky soldiers” from other Army units, General Kinnard had designed and established a ‘special’ badge’ that his “sky soldiers” could wear as a mark of their airmobility expertise. This became the 11th Air Assault Division (Test) “Air Assault Badge”, first issued in the spring of 1964. It was never officially recognized by the Army, and Kinnard stated "I wear my original Air Assault Badge proudly, as may anyone in the first shift of the Jumping Mustangs and as far as the rest of you, I personally authorize it. I doubt if anyone will question you." In order to qualify for this badge, each soldier had to successfully rappel from a helicopter, thrice from 60 feet and twice from 120 feet. Each soldier had to pass aircraft safety procedures, an aircraft orientation, arm and hand signals, combat assault operations, prepare, inspect and rig equipment for a sling load, and be able to lash down equipment carried in cargo helicopters. Despite the 11th Air Assault (Test) being rolled into the 1st Cavalry Division, the "Original" Air Assault Badge was an item of pride and you see it in use throughout the 60's in both US and in-country made styles in color and subdued. Originals are very hard to find and coveted by their owners.
Additional

Additional Information

Condition NEW
Tags

Product Tags

Use spaces to separate tags. Use single quotes (') for phrases.

Reviews
  1. Be the first to review this product

Add a review