Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the 61st A.H.C. and Detachments
Dedicated to the 61st AHC, 616th Transportation, 922nd Signal, 193rd Medical Detachments,
364th Aviation Support Detachment (ATC), and our aviators and crews whose lives were lost for
our country and Allied Forces.
News Update
268th Combat Aviation Battalion Awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation
The Army approved a MUC recommendation for the 268th Combat Aviation Battalion from
1 March 1968 to 31 August 1969. Units listed within the battalion may have different service
periods. The 61st service dates are from 1 June 1968 to 31 August 1969, while the 922nd Sig.
Det. and 616th Trans. Det. ended at deactivation on 24 January 1969. The Awards &
Decorations Branch is preparing the General Order. More news to come about the MUC.
Reunion 2026
16th Annual Corn Field Reunion — September 10–13, 2026
Huey rides being considered!(weather and availability permitting)
The ICE HOUSE meeting begins on Thursday at 17:00. Conception Abbey may be available again
for Friday, or make Friday a day for a golf game. More details to come soon.
Former 61st AHC soldiers are very proud the “Lucky Star” radio call-sign is now
heard over Fort Novosel (formerly Ft. Rucker) air space! The A Company unit patch features the
61st service years, yellow star, Lucky in script, and dice showing 6 & 1.
A (Alpha) Company, 1st Aviation Battalion, 212th Aviation Regiment now uses the
“Lucky Star” radio call sign and unit crest after being presented with a letter of
transfer at a 14 December 2018 ceremony in the Army Aviation History Museum. The transfer
letter was signed by former 61st company commanders LTG Ellis Parker, FA (deceased 26 March
2020), MG Lou Hennies, IN, and COL Emmett Johnson, SC, each US Army retired.
Alpha Company instructors and staff provide advanced training in the Black Hawk helicopter
for all US Army & allied countries' UH-60 pilots, who use the “Lucky Star” call
sign during advanced training. Ft. Novosel is the home of the US Army Aviation Center of Excellence.
61st KIA Tribute & Brick Program
A tribute brick array caps the 1st Aviation Brigade array, surrounded by 61st individual
bricks — a lasting memory of those who died in service with the 61st AHC, and a great way to
support the Army Aviation Museum Foundation (AAMF). A “Buddy-UP” brick can
accommodate 2–3 names sharing one brick: $50, or $75 shared with your buddy. See the
Contact page to arrange your Buddy-UP brick with Gordon.
This is a beautiful and lasting entry to the Army Aviation Museum.
