RELEASE NUMBER: 130416-01
DATE POSTED: APRIL 16, 2013
USASOAC unveils new DUI
by Maj. Emily Potter
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, April 16, 2013) – The U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOAC) unveiled its new Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI) and Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (SSI) after receiving approval by the Army's Institute of Heraldry.
USASOAC provisionally activated March 25, 2011, as the aviation staff proponent of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. With the start of the new fiscal year in 2012, the unit shifted from provisional to fully resourced status, and thus could start the process of creating its own unique DUI and SSI.
The insignia includes a Fairbairn Sykes dagger, with upswept red wings forming a spearhead reminiscent of the 1st Special Service Force, which symbolizes the unit's role as the aviation element of USASOC.
The Aviation ultramarine blue shield with black border reflects 1st Special Operations Command lineage, but also serves as a constant reminder that the Command is inseparable from Army Aviation branch.
The motto "VOLARE OPTIMOS," "To Fly the Best," embodies the ARSOAC ethos of enduring commitment to maintain the sacred trust of the Special Operators they support.
The headquarters, which is authorized roughly 135 personnel, organizes, mans, trains, resources and equips ARSOAC units. Subordinate units totaling more than 3,300 personnel include the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), the USASOC Flight Detachment, the Systems Integration Management Office, the Special Operations Aviation Training Battalion and the Technology Application Projects Office.
All Soldiers assigned to USASOAC previously wore the USASOC SSI, but will now wear their own distinctive USASOAC patch. While the 160th Night Stalkers will continue to wear their Regimental crest, all others assigned to USASOAC will don the new USASOAC DUI.