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1st Battalion, 145th Aviation Regiment
"Old Warriors"

The 1st Battalion, 145th Aviation Regiment focuses on leader development and professional education of branch officers and Warrant Officers. The 98th Army Band, the "Silver Wings," is also attached to the Battalion.

The 1st Battalion, 145th Aviation Regiment had one of the most complex and dynamic training missions on Fort Rucker, Alabama. The Battalion had a yearly mission to train over 1,000 officers, both US and international, on the technical and tactical application of Army Aviation assets on the modern battlefield.

As of 2000, the 1st Battalion, 145th Aviation Regiment consisted of 4 companies, HHC, A, C, and D Companies. These companies focused on leader development and all aspects associated with the professional education of branch officers and warrant officers. These courses included the Aviation Officer Basic Course and Captain's Career Course for commissioned officers, the Warrant Officer Basic and Advance Course for warrant officers, Maintenance Manager's Course, the Aviation Pre-Command Course for O-5's and 0-6's slated to take command of a battalion or brigade, and the management of all commissioned and warrant officers during their attendance of the Initial Entry Rotary Wing flight training course.

Course curriculums were centered around small group instruction in a classroom environment and field exercises that included troop leading procedures, safety, and all tactical and technical aspects involving employment of aviation assets as part of the total combined arms force. Use of advanced constructive simulation tools such as JANUS and Brigade/Battalion Simulation in the Aviation Warfighting Simulation Center enhanced the student officer's battle staff skills. Use of state-of-the-art virtual flight simulators in the Aviation Test Bed provided an environment to develop air battle command skills vital to our junior aviation leaders. The instructors/cadre also wrote, reviewed, and coordinated Army Aviation combined arms doctrine for aviation units below brigade level.

The Battalion's Headquarters and Headquarters Company was tasked with providing all the operational support to cadre members and also conducting 2 TRADOC level classes: (1) The Aircraft Survivability Equipment/Electronic Warfare Officer Course and (2) The Maintenance Managers Course. A Company was tasked with the professional training of all Aviation Captains. C Company conducted all Aviation technical and tactical professional development for Aviation Warrant Officers on Fort Rucker: (1) The Aviation Warrant Officer Advanced Course (AWOAC), and (2) The Aviation Warrant Officer Basic Course (AWOBC). The Aviation Officer Basic Course (AVOBC) was D Company's mission. The Company prepared tactically and technically proficient junior officers to succeed as warfighters in Army Aviation. The unit provided the fundamentals of leadership and soldiering with an emphasis on combined arms operations.

In 2008, with the inactivation of the 1st Battalion, 210th Aviation Regiment, the 98th Army Band, the "Silver Wings," were attached to the 1st Battalion, 210th Aviation Regiment.

As of 2010, the courses administered by the Battalion included the Aviation Basic Officer Leadership Course and Captain's Career Course for branch officers; the Warrant Officer Basic Course and Advanced Course for warrant officers; Maintenance Manager's Course; Maintenance Leader's Course; Aviation Tactical Operations Officer Course; Helicopter Overwater Survival Training, Aviation Pre-Command Course for Lieutenant Colonels and Colonels slated to take command of a battalion or brigade; and the management of all branch and Warrant Officers during their attendance of the initial entry rotary-wing flight training course. Additionally, 1-145th Aviation commanded the US Army's Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Level C Training Detachment.

Small group instruction was provided in a classroom environment. Field exercises included troop leading procedures, safety, and tactical and technical aspects involving employment of aviation assets as part of the total combined arms force. Use of advanced constructive simulation tools, such as JANUS and brigade and battalion simulation in the Seneff Aviation Warfighting Simulation Center, enhanced the student officer's battle staff skills. Use of state-of-the-art virtual flight simulators in the Aviation Test Bed offerd junior aviation leaders the opportunity to develop air battle command skills. Pilots and crew members received training about aircraft ditching and underwater egress survival techniques. Pilot and crew members trained with a device that dunked individuals underwater, so the knew how to react during an emergency.