158th Aviation Unit Crest (Challenge)

The 158th Aviation Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia—familiarly known as a unit crest or a DUI—was originally approved for the 158th Aviation Battalion on 6 June 1969 and was redesignated for the 158th Aviation Regiment on 16 September 1987. A winged sword superimposed over a lightning flash is the most prominent imagery in the insignia, with the sword symbolizing the firepower of the 158th Aviation Battalion’s aerial weaponry and the wings—which form an elaborate quillon, or cross guard for the grip of the sword—denoting the Aviation mission of the organization and alluding to its former assignment to the 101st Airborne Division.

A lightning flash signifies the speed and “shock and awe” inherent in air-assault operations. The trio of mountain peaks is a reference an allusion to the mountains surrounding Fort Carson, site of the organization of the 158th Aviation Battalion. The unit’s numerical designation is symbolized by a single sword (1), five hilt segments (5), and eight primary feathers on the two wings. “Challenge” is the unit motto.
The 158th Aviation Regiment was originally constituted in the Regular Army as the 158th Aviation Battalion and assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. It consisted of four companies (A, B, C, and D) that were concurrently activated at Fort Riley, Kanas except for Company C, which was activated at Fort Carson, Colorado. During the Vietnam War, the Battalion took part in nine campaigns, with its outstanding service recognized with a Presidential Unit Citation, a Valorous Unit Award, a pair of Republic of Vietnam (ROV) Cross of Gallantry with Palm awards, and an ROV Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class. (This list does not include decorations awarded to individual companies.

In September 1987, the Battalion was reorganized and redesignated as the 158th Aviation Regiment, its four companies expanded and redesignated as the 1st through 4th Battalions, and the Battalion’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company redesignated as the 5th Battalion (some sources; eventually the Regiment would include the 6th, 7th, and 8th Battalions. Since the establishment of the Regiment, combat deployments include the First Gulf War (2nd, 7th, and 8th Battalions) and the various campaigns in the War on Terrorism.