Description:

This is a drawing of the current unit patch for
the Second Battalion of the 224th Aviation.
It depicts a lightly armored knight on
his mighty steed standing on a cloud.

My interpretation:

The knight represents the light infantry 
of the 29th Infantry Division not the 
2-224th Aviation.  No, we are the horse,
the invaluable transporter of the knight.
Ready and willing, as depicted by the pose,
to carry the warrior into combat.  

Description:

This is the patch that started it all back in 1987.
In those days of old there was no battalion.
Just two Combat Aviation companies.
The 76th,UH-1H (Huey), and the 29th,
UH-60A (Blackhawk).  Both companies
were self-sufficient with their own flight operations,
aircraft maintenance, refuel section, and mess
section.  The 76th company had approximately
150 personnel with 23 helicopters.
The patch depicts a UH-1 in a landing attitude
superimposed on the blue and gray patch of 
the newly formed 29th Infantry Division.  The unit
designation is embroided across the top.
The words "HUEY TEAM" on the bottom of the patch
highlights the teamwork needed to accomplish the 
mission. 

Description:

Following closely on the heals of the 76th patch
came the 29th Combat Aviation Company patch.
The Blackhawks were new to the Virginia Army
National Guard, at the time there were only five
of the authorized 15 on station.  Average personnel
strength of the 29th was 125.
The patch has an UH-60, once again, superimposed
on the patch of the 29th Infantry Division.
The name was placed on top and the word
"Blackhawk" was embroided across the bottom,
just in case you could not tell what type helicopter
was on the patch.  Any guesses as to which unit I
was assigned?  

Description:

This was the first battalion patch for the 2-224th.
It was a compromise between the Huey and Blackhawk patches
that had proceeded it.   Naturally, Blackhawk drivers wanted
a UH-60 on the patch, while Huey drivers were just as animate
about having the UH-1.   The decision was reached to use the
winged horse Pegasus.  Allegedly, Pegasus was taken from the 
224th Regimental crest.  However, there was some heartburn over 
the use of Pegasus, owing to the fact that Pegasus was also the
name of a Virginia civilian air ambulance company and the 
Virginia Guard had the 986th an air ambulance unit.
"People will think we are a Medevac unit!"   
Some aviators just did not like the drawing of the 
"Winged Horse."
  
Send your Pegasus patch opinion.

Deactivated Unit Patches Page
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- Since Dec 8, 97

Comments, suggestions, criticisms Mail me at:

© 1997 jandcinva@prodigy.net

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