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223rd Aviation Battalion
VII Corps
Looking for more information from military/civilian personnel assigned to or associated with the U.S. Army in Germany from 1945 to 1989. If you have any stories or thoughts on the subject, please email me (webmaster).

223rd Avn Bn History (19..-1987)

4th Bn, 159th Avn (1987-19..)

25th Avn Co

48th Avn Co

180th Avn Co

203rd Avn Co

 
223rd Avn Battalion History
223rd Aviation Bn DUI
223rd Aviation Bn Pocket Patch
If you have more information on the history or organization of the 223rd Aviation Battalion, please contact me.
 
MISCELLANEOUS UNIT INFORMATION

In 1987, the 223rd Avn Bn comprised the following subordinate units:

UNIT DESIGNATION

DUTY STATION COMMENTS
HHC, 223rd Avn Bn Echterdingen AAF, Stuttgart  
25th Avn Co Nellingen AAF, Stuttgart UH-1H, OH-58C
180th Avn Co Dolan Bks, Schw. Hall CH-47
203rd Avn Co Peden Bks, Wertheim UH-60
 

25th Avn Co
Pocket Patch

180th Avn Co
Pocket Patch

203rd Avn Co
Pocket Patch


351st Avn Co (1)

351st Avn Co (2)
   
(1) the 351st Avn Co was redesignated as the 71st Avn Co (sometime in the mid 1970s)
(2) 351st Avn Co pocket patch redesigned by SFC Jorge Gonzalez and another member of the unit.
 
4th Bn, 159th Aviation History
4th Bn, 159th Aviation Patch
(Source: Stuttgart Citizen, Nov 7 1988)
Unit inactivated and reactivated in one day

By Kevin Hudson

The 25th Aviation Company from the Stuttgart Army Airfield was inactivated in a ceremony there Oct. 28, and was reactivated moments later as companies Alpha, Bravo and Delta of the 4th Battalion, 159th Aviation.

By directive of a higher headquarters to adopt a regimental system, the soldiers and equipment of the 25th Aviation Company were combined with the soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Bn, 159th Aviation, and formed the "Army of Excellence Battalion" of the 159th Aviation.
 
More than 100 sodiers were affected by the reorganization as they transferred from the platoons that made up the 25th Aviation Company into the three companies that now make up the 4th Bn, 159th Aviation.

During the ceremony, Battalion Commander, Lt Col John J. Sweeney, retired the guidon of the 25th Aviation Co. which had flown since its initial activation in 1941, and unfurled the new 4th Bn., 159th Aviation guidons. Sweeney then presented them to their respective company commanders, thus activating the three new line units.
Assuming command were: Capt Michael L. Roberts, Company A; Capt Edward M. Szeman, Company B; and Capt Jeff G. Wyns, Company D.

According to Capt Larry Gissentanna, battalion adjutant, Headquarters and Headquarters Company was activated a year ago, and Company C will be activated when the unit receives its new helicopters, which is expected to be around July 1989.

As with the 25th Aviation Company, the 4th Bn., 159th's mission will continue to be to provide readily available aviation support to the commanding general of the VII US Corps, his staff, and major non-divisional subordinate commands throughout the VII Corps area.
 
(Source: Stuttgart Citizen, Aug 19 1990)
4th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment

by Bob Gonsalves

They call themselves the "Wings of the Dragon." The Department of the Army calls them 4th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment.

The aviation unit, stationed at Stuttgart Army Airfield, provides direct air support to VII Corps Headquarters and general support to a number of subordinate commands with its fleet of UH-1 H "Blackhawk" helicopters and C-12C and U-21A fixed wing aircraft.
 





 
The unit also maintains and operates an inventory of 15 OH-58D helicopters equipped to provide target acquisition and reconnaissance support for VII Corps artillery, the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, and all of the Corps' "Apache" attack helicopter battalions.

"Wings of the Dragon" originates from the old 25th Aviation Company motto, 'Wings of the Jayhawk'," said battalion adjutant Capt. Edward Szeman. "The 'dragon' comes from the dragon on the aviation regimental crest."

The 25th Aviation Company was ceremoniously deactivated Oct. 28, 1988 only to be reactivated moments later as 4th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment.

The unit assumes its history from the 159th Aviation Battalion activated in July 1968 for duty in Vietnam. While assigned to the 101st Airborne Division's "Screaming Eagles," the aviators accumulated nine campaign streamers and five unit award streamers for its distinguished combat service.

Fourth Battalion remains combat ready.

"Our wartime mission is to support the Corps," explained Szeman. "And though we don't fly as low to the ground as we would in combat, we perform our wartime mission everyday."

And they perform that mission safely.

Since its reactivation in October 1988, the unit has yet to experience an aviation mishap. Szeman attributes the clean slate to the units professionalism, good training, and the battalion's active safety program.

The battalion's five companies, commanded by Lt. Col. Dennis A. Williamson, total approximately 340 soldiers. Companies A, B, and Headquarters and Headquarters Company support the Corps general aviation needs. Company D is dedicated to the OH58D helicopters, and Company E keeps them flying through its maintenance support.

Each of the five units personify "professionalism and dedication". But then they should. They are the "Wings of the Dragon".
 
(Source: Email from Thomas N. Toomey)
I was stationed at the HHC, 223rd Avn BN at Nellingen Bks from 1972-1974. The insignia I have is quite a bit different than what you have posted. Yours is of the early version. The patch also changed from the original proto type you have which is a real collectors item to a professionally done round patch. I will look and try to find my stuff and scan it in to send you a copy.

We were very involved with the German Army in joint Operations. Because of that I won the silver metal in the Leibsubsichen (sp), which is like our PT Test. For the 20 run portion. Lt Rudy Riensprect (BN Executive Officer) and I ran with M60 machine guns, just barely making the time. I also received the Silver metal in the Schützenschnur, which is like the German Army's Expert Infantryman's badge with rifle qualification.

The CSM was CSM Burgess and the BN Commander was Col. Coulter at least for some of that time its been a long time ago. I will look some of it up to give you more specific information if you like just let me know.

We still had WAC's barracks when I first got there. The VOLAR Army was the in thing. The racial riots were happening everywhere and the big one at the Stuttgart PX. That was the beginning of mandatory Race Relations classes.

The Ammo Depot was attacked by the Baader-Meinhof Gang in 1973. I know because I was on guard duty! That night sucked! But no one got hurt, thank God.

Also the unit flew out of Echterdingen AAF, Stuttgart. I am trying to find someone who was there with me that can also attest to what happened but so far I can't connect with anyone.
 
 
25th Aviation Company
25th Aviation Company Patch
 
(Source: Stuttgart Citizen, Sept 5 1983)
Aviation unit maintains long safety record

35,000 accident-free flying hours accumulated

By C.J. Costello

The sign above the door reads "Jayhawk Express. You call, we haul." It sounds like a trucking company but it's actually the motto for the 25th Aviation Company, 223rd Aviation Battalion, 11th Aviation Group in VII Corps. Headquartered in Echterdingen, West Germany near Stuttgart, the pilots fly from Crete to Denmark and from England to Berlin. Their mission includes aviation support to the VII Corps commander, staff, major subordinate commands, and visiting dignitaries. They also provide fixed-wing support to VII Corps' divisions.

"Missions may range from flying congressmen in the morning, and that afternoon the same pilots may be doing tactical NOE (nap of the earth) support for an ARTEP," commented CW02 Ronald R. Hendricks, safety officer for the 25th.

Professionalism is shown every day in the work quality of the 25th's soldiers. Their job requires people who are alert and safety conscious. Through the teamwork and cooperation of everyone, not just the crews who fly the aircraft, the 25th has logged more than 12 years without a chargeable accident. During that time, they accumulated more than 35,000 flying hours.

Recently, nine pilots in the 25th were awarded VII Corps Certificates of Merit for safety. To earn such an award, each pilot flew at least 1,000 accident/incident-free flying hours while assigned to VII Corps. Normally, most Army pilots only fly about 200 flying hours per year, which would make it difficult to accumulate 1,000 flying hours at one unit.

Contributing factors
There are many factors that contribute to the success of the 25th. The pilots' experience, the crew chiefs' and mechanics' expertise, and even the commander's attitude play a part in the safety record of the aviation company.

"The human factor is always an element involved in safety," explained Maj. Gregory R. Jenkins, 25th's commander. "It takes everyone's cooperation to make it a success,not just the safety NCO's and officer's effort," he continued.
 
Experience is certainly an asset for the 25th. The "old-hands pilots" team up with the recent aviation graduates to share their knowledge. "We do have a lot of experienced people here. It is imperative that everyone shares their knowledge to maintain our high standards," comments CW03 Donald J. Jempel, a pilot in the 25th.

Teamwork doesn't stop with the pilots. "Crew chiefs don't just hop on an aircraft. First, they must work in the maintenance department," explains Capt. Julie Gray, aviation maintenance officer for the 25th. While working in the maintenance shops, the future crew chiefs join a phase team (maintenance team) to learn the ins and outs of their particular aircraft. They do everything from scheduled maintenance to making minor repairs on the aircraft.
Behind the scene
Much of the work involved in aviation is hidden behind the scene. Before a passenger boards the aircraft, a series of events must take place. The first step is to contact the man who coordinates the flight. "Here, I schedule missions for everyone in VII Corps," said Sp4 Louis Calahan, flight operations clerk for the 25th. The initial flight proceedings begin when a mission sheet is filled out designating an aircraft and a crew.

After the plots pick up their mission sheet, they make a flight plan. Weather conditions, landing area, amount of flying time, fuel consumption, and flight patterns are just a few of the factors considered. Once the plan has been completed, it is filed into a computer system to reserve a spot in the airway system.

Another precaution that is taken, especially in the summer when field exercises keep the pilots flying long hours is crew rest time. The 25th has their own crew rest plan which works, according to Hendricks.

Before the aircraft is ready for take-off, it is checked out by the pilots and the crew chief. The crew chief knows his aircraft and spends many hours keeping it up to par. "The crew chief is supposed to prepare the aircraft one hour and 15 minutes prior to takeoff," remarked Sgt, Scott .Leitzel, one of the many crew chiefs at the 25th. "After landing, it may take two or three hours to perform the inspections necessary."

With a checklist in hand, the crew chief begins examining the aircraft. "In our log book, we have a list of things to be done either on a daily or an hourly basis," demonstrated Leitzel.

"Using checklists is mandatory. You don't want to rely on memory. That's when you make mistakes," replied Sgt. Bruce Westfall, the crew chief for the 25th's C-12, one of their fixed-wing aircraft. Mistakes in aviation are costly, especially when one considers that the average flying speed for a C-12 is approximately 280 miles per hour. If something goes wrong on an aircraft, one can't just pull over to the side of the road and fix it like a truck driver can.

Inspections, Inspections
The aircraft is examined inside and out . . . from the door seals to the front landing wheel. "Every twelve and one-half hours, an oil sample is taken on each engine. It is sent of an oil analysis lab to be examined," continued Westfall. The oil analysis lab can detect minor problems before they become major defects.

Once the crew chief has completed his inspection of the aircraft, the pilots begin their inspection. Double checking ensures that all defects, if there are any, are found and corrected before the flight begins. If a stop is made enroute, thru-flight inspections are performed as a precautionary measure. Another inspection is conducted after the flight. The aircraft is serviced and the cycle starts over again.

The technical inspectors ensure that the aircraft is safe to fly. "We ensure air-worthiness of the aircraft. It's a daily process. We are also the people pilots can ask maintenance questions and if we don't know the answers, we can find them," stated SSgt. Timothy Fluent, technical inspector for the 25th.

Besides examining the aircraft, the technical inspectors also inspect the work environment to make sure safety precautions are used. "We are responsible for the safety conditions of the hangers. We do a monthly inspection to determine work hazards," continued Fluent. These inspections often reveal recurring problems.

Every six months the pilots are tested and required to demonstrate certain skills. This test is seldom difficult for the pilots of the 25th. Their wartime mission is the same as their everyday mission - transporting people and cargo from one point to another, safely.

(Costello is a journalist assigned to the VII Corps Public Affairs Office,)
 
48th Aviation Company
(Source: Email from James Wood, 48th Avn Co, 1972-74)
 
I was in Avionics at Katterbach from March 1972 to March 1974. I remember many events of that time and a few names. I am still looking for others who were there at that time.......

In March 1972, I was assigned to the 719th Signal Co, the avionics shop for the 48th Avn Co. SSG Bobbie Joe Harris was shop NCO; SSG Votah was second in command. I was senior repairman. There were probably 12 men in the shop. I can still name a few of them. Sometime in 1972, the 719th's colors were disbanned and we became a new TO&E under the 48th Avn Co.

During the two years there we lost one Cobra that turned over during hover at the airfield. In 1972, we participated in a NATO training mission at Illesheim. In 1973, we participated in a 4 week mission at Lake Chiemsee near Bad Toelz, dropping Special Forces in the cold lake.
The local Ansbach Baader-Meinhoff gang was sighted near Ansbach in 1972, and we actually went to the field!!! Our Hueys circled around the area they were spotted in but it seems that they were never caught. 1973 was the year I believe, that the winter olympics were held in Munich and Garmish. The BN in Nellingen had a change of command cermony. The 48th sent several Hueys to the ceremony....BUT only one Huey made it in time.....6 people were there for the formation from the 48th.

I remember in 1973 that six of us went on R&R to Garmish. A bus came from battalion to pick us up. On the return trip, the bus took us to Nellingen Barracks. There was a bad snow storm and the company sent two helicopters up there to pick us up in the middle of the night. There was no POL available so we loaded up and left for Katterbach AAF near Ansbach. We were 30 minutes from Katterbach when the low fuel lights came on. We were worried that we might run out of fuel. We barely made it....

There was a CPT Weiderman who was flying one day and a second acft by his side. His Huey had a halo around it. Must have been the weather.

On the airfield/golf course, there were rabbits as big as Texas deer. BUT the German deer was about as big as a German shepard.

I built a radio antenna on top of the 48th Avn barracks. We were able to talk to the battalion at Stuttgart but they couldn't talk back. So the battalion commander asked me to come to Stuttgart and build him one for their operations so we could communicate back and forth. It actually worked.

I remember one of our pilots was getting married in England. Six Hueys were tasked to take the officers to the wedding. As I remember it, there was a field just outside of Katterbach that was used as a staging area for a number of automobiles, all with USA tags. The helicopters landed there and picked up the passengers, including ladies in evening gowns for the rest of the wedding party... That was the story I was told... I never saw the staging area or the cars....

Richard Stanley from Salt Lake City, Utah, was in Avionics; Gregg somebody; Montgomery from SC; Teddy Phillips from Alabama; Blair from Ft Worth; Loches from Chicago; another man from Puebleo, Colorado; in the 48th was SP4 Dunn, 1967 Americal in Nam; I believe there was a SFC Hanvey in the 48th from Alabama. Many years later I found out that I was kin to him. He got there in late 73. I just can't remember anymore other than the German beer.. I have a partial list somewhere..

Stinky, a German, had a guesthouse just outside the NW perimeter of Katterbach. Across the street were tanks, M113's, you name - it they had it. Think they were the 3rd Armor Div. out of Ansbach.

At that time the Gym was a gym. After I left it became a PX.
(Source: Email from Kevin Whitlock, 48th Avn Co, 1981-83)
I was in the 48th Avn Co from 1981 to 1983 at Nellingen. I was the first 67T (blackhawk crewchief) assigned to the unit. Unfortunately, I arrived about 6 months before the UH60s. I was assigned to the maintenace platoon and spent almost six months working 16 hour days, 6 days a week ,getting the UH1s ready to turn in.

Things finally settled down when the blackhawks started arriving. The problem was that all the birds had zero hours and we were trying to stagger them in so they all didn't hit phase inspections at the same time. Trying to keep all our pilots current while keeping the hours staggered on all new aircraft was somewhat challenging.

I was transferred to the flight platoon when the first Blackhawk arrived but was not assigned an aircraft. All the aircraft went to existing UH1 crewchiefs, they had seniority and experience if not training. I was able to rack up a lot of flight time however and really enjoyed my time with the Unit. Skill not Luck! was out motto.

I wish I could find some of those blue star stickers we had. I left there in 1983 and went on to become one of the early members of the 160th task force at Ft. Campbell when I was assigned to C/158th Avn Bn./101st Abn Div.

I forgot one interesting thing. George Bush Sr. (then Vice President) visited Germany and was transported on my aircraft (81-23589) while in country. I was not allowed to crew that mission, It went to a more senior crewchief but it was my bird and I was pretty proud.
 
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION:

In August 1972, the 48th Aviation Company was activated in Katterbach, Germany, (1) and assigned to the 223rd Avn Bn.

In September 1975, the unit moved to Echterdingen Army Airfield, Stuttgart.

In 1982, the 48th was the first army aviation unit in Europe to field the new UH-60 BLACKHAWK.

In October 1984, the company was relieved from assignment to the 223rd and reassigned to the 11th Avn Bn, 12th Avn Gp. This reassignment also led to a relocation to Wiesbaden Air Base.

In 1987, the unit was redesignated as C Company, 7-158th Aviation Regiment.

(1) I believe that the 349th Avn Co was inactivated concurrently and its men and equipment reassigned to the 48th. Can anybody confirm?
 
 
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