My name is LTC John D. Williams, US Army. I command 1st Battalion,14th Aviation Regiment at Fort Rucker, Alabama. My battalion is responsible for training all of the Army’s AH-64A Apache, AH-64D Longbow Apache, and OH-58D(R) Kiowa Warrior aviators.

Based on my experience in an attack helicopter battalion during the Gulf War, as well as subsequent tours in the Balkans, it is clear that the lineage of our attack helicopter forces is based in the mission of our Tank Destroyer brethren. Particularly with the current move toward a lighter, more deployable force, our Army will count on its attack helicopters to destroy enemy armored forces, wherever they may appear, much like the Tank Destroyer units did in both the European and Pacific theatres in WWII.

I have designed a new patch for our battalion for us to wear on our flight uniforms. I added the Tank Destroyer Patch to our design to both add historical relevance and some much needed “hoooaaahhh.” I am sending this to you as point of contact for your organization to see what you think. I sincerely respect your opinion.

I look forward to hearing from you.                        

Respectfully,

JDW
LTC John D Williams
Commander, 1-14th AVN

Note:
This new 4 inch patch is worn on the flight uniform above the heart. The TD patch shown above the crossed sabers represents the 3 inch shoulder patch worn by 1 hundred thousand WWII Tank Destroyer men.

This act serves to lift the Tank Destroyers from the dustbins of history, was approved by the Executive Board of the WWII Tank Destroyer Society on August 27, 2002. Our WWII Tank Destroyer heroes are HIGHLY HONORED.  (Col. Bob French, Sec. / Treasury)  

 View 1-14th Aviation Attack Helicopter's

  DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW 1-14th AVIATION PATCH

Black Outline: Represents the “night fighting” capability of the 1-14th aircraft and aviators.

Stars on each side of Patch: Represents the OH-58D(R), AH-64A, and AH-64D assigned to 1-14 Aviation. The pair of stars represents “aircraft teams” flying into battle.

Red, White, and Blue Background: Represents the battalion’s colors, and the American flag.

Lightning Bolt: Represents the lineage to the Armor Branch and digital communications between aircraft.

Tank Destroyer Patch: Shows lineage of current attack helicopters to the “tank destroyer” battalions of WWII. With the objective force, the attack helicopter will once again become the weapon of choice against heavy armor. This was the mission of the tank destroyer battalions during WWII.

Crossed Sabers: Represents the “Spirit of the Cavalry.” With the OH-58D(R) assigned to divisional cavalry units; the 1-14 is the only unit in the Army able to qualify cavalry aviators. In addition, nearly half of the AH-64 battalions are aligned to cavalry regiments.

Battalion Crest: Official crest of the battalion. The Versatility slogan dates to Vietnam when the battalion flew every type of helicopter in the US inventory. Within the Transformed Army, the aviators trained by 1-14th are able to conduct full-spectrum operations- anti-armor to close support, recon to security missions.

TOMAHAWKS: The battalion motto- lineage to Vietnam Era 14th Aviation Battalion.

1-14 AVIATION: Battalion name- current organization was constituted in 1987 at Ft Rucker.

Shape of the patch: Lineage to the original Apache Training Brigade which trained all attack and cavalry units in the Army. By the way- the first modem unit to wear an authorized patch on their flight suits was 3-6 Cav.