4-2nd Attack Battalion

Battalion Information

Aviation Battalion

Mission

4-2 ATK conducts deterrence against nK while strengthening the ROK and US alliance. On order, transitions to hostilities and conducts reconnaissance, security, and attack operations supporting 2ID and CFC objectives.

History

4-2 Aviation is the only attack battalion within the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade. On 15 June 2006, 3rd Squadron, 6th Cavalry was activated as the 4th Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment.

The 3rd Squadron, 6th Cavalry was constituted on the 4th of May 1861 as Company C, 3rd Cavalry. On 3 August, it was re-designated as Company C, 6th Cavalry. The Squadron participated with its parent regiment in the Civil War as part of the Army of the Potomac; the Indian Wars, the War with Spain, the China Relief Expedition, the Philippine Insurrection, the Mexican Expedition, World War I, and World War II. During World War II, the unit served as part of Patton’s Third Army, where the 6th became affectionately known as Patton’s “Household Cavalry.”

On 9 July 1944, the unit marched as part of the Regiment when it landed in France. During the push through Germany, the Regiment was utilized as a line division and earned five battle streamers and the Presidential Citation for actions at the Harlange Pocket. On 1 Jan 1944, the unit was re-designated as Troop F, 28th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron until 1946 when it was re-designated Troop E, 28th Constabulary Squadron. In 1948, the unit rejoined the 6th Cavalry Regiment as Company C. In May 1960, the unit moved to Fort Knox, Kentucky, where it stayed until its deactivation on 24 October 1963. The unit was once again activated at Fort Meade, Maryland on 23 March 1967 and remained active until 21 June 1973 when it was deactivated at Fort Bliss, Texas.

In 1975, the 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry was re-assigned to the 6th Cavalry Brigade at Fort Hood, Texas after a distinguished tour in Vietnam to become the United States Army’s only Attack Helicopter Squadron, with more AH-1 Cobras than any other unit; hence the name “Heavy CAV.” On 16 July 1986, the 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry was re-designated as the 3rd Squadron, 6th Cavalry. Four days later, it became the first unit to receive the AH-64 Apache Helicopter.

Due to the inactivation of the 4th and the 1st Squadrons, the 3rd Squadron received the Regimental colors on 15 December 1996. Shortly after, the Squadron received orders to deploy to the Republic of Korea. After 6 years standing ready to fight on the Korean Peninsula, the unit turned in it’s 24 AH-64A model Apaches on 9 May 2002 in preparation for transition to the AH-64D Apache Longbow. On 16 August 2002, the unit reactivated at Fort Hood, Texas, in preparation for the Unit Fielding and Training Program where upon completion, the unit would resume its mission as a valuable Eighth United States Army asset in the Republic of Korea.