1-228 Aviation Regiment, Winged Warriors
The 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment supports the U. S. Southern Command's engagement and security cooperation strategy under Army South, providing heavy lift, medical evacuation, and general aviation support spanning the joint operations area in support of Joint Task Force-Bravo. It is a composite battalion with UH-60L and HH-60L Blackhawks, and CH-47F Chinooks, providing airlift and evacuation capabilities to the region.
Typical missions conducted by this one-of-a-kind battalion include countering transnational organized crime, counter-narcotics, aerial firefighting, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, theater security cooperation, building partner capacity, medical evacuation, limited search and rescue, and air movement of people, equipment and supplies throughout Central America and the Caribbean.
Battalion History
The Battalion was first activated on 18 July 1963 as 4th Battalion 228th Aviation at Fort Benning, Georgia. From 1971 to 1989, the Battalion underwent several transformations, re-designations and relocations. On 16 January 1990, 4th Battalion, 228th Aviation relocated the headquarters form Panama and was activated at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras with six companies to include a Headquarters and Headquarters Company, A and B Company, two FORSCOM rotational units, a CH-47D detachment and a Medical Evacuation unit. On 4 June 1999, the Battalion underwent its final transformation into the current 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment.
In 2018, the 1-228 Aviation Regiment received the FY18 LTG Ellis D. Parker Award as the United States Army’s Top Aviation Battalion for Combat Support. The LTG Ellis D. Parker Award recognizes leadership, training, maintenance and safety excellence at the aviation battalion level.
The 1-228 Aviation regiment continues to stand out across the U.S. Army as an organization that produces world-class officers, noncommissioned officers and enlisted Soldiers.