UNIT HISTORY

The Wolfpack's History

1st Battalion, 82nd Aviation Regiment was activated 7 December 1962, at Fort Bragg in North Carolina as an element of the 82nd Airborne Division.  The unit was first committed to combat in the Republic of Vietnam and Company A became known as the "Wolfpack". Supporting the 173d Airborne Brigade throughout their tour of duty in Vietnam. Company A took part in defensive and counteroffensive operations and performed with valor earning both the Presidential Unit Citation and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. The unit was reorganized in Vietnam in September 1966.

In October 1983, Company A conducted assault combat operations with the 82nd Airborne Division during Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada. Using Blackhawk helicopters in combat for the first time.  Three months later, A Company was redesignated as the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion 82nd Aviation, with its organic elements as the Army's only Airborne Attack Helicopter Battalion

In August 1987, the Battalion deployed to Fort Hood, Texas and transitioned to the AH-64A Apache. In honor of the unit's lineage, 1st Battalion 82nd Aviation reinstituted the "Wolfpack" callsign from its intense days of combat operations in Vietnam.  In March 1988, the Wolfpack returned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina and the 82nd Airborne Division as the world's first combat ready Advanced Attack Helicopter Battalion.

In late 1989 the battalion deployed to Panama and participated in Operation Just Cause, becoming the first attack battalion to conduct combat operations with the new AH-64A Apache.  In August 1990, the Wolfpack was the first Army Aviation unit to deploy to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in preparation for combat in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.  Throughout Desert Storm, the unit conducted several successful deep attack missions as an integral part of the 82nd Airborne Division's operations into Iraq earning a second Meritorious Unit Citation.

On 16 March 1995, 1-82 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion transitioned to using both the AH-64 Apache and OH-58D Kiowa Warrior.  The Wolfpack deployed to Iraq with other elements of the 82nd Aviation Brigade in 2004 to 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and served in combat with distinction, earning a second Presidential Unit Citation.

2005 began a transformation to the US Army's new modular force structure to include a more capable Combat Aviation Brigade.  1-82 ARB remained with the reorganized and redesignated 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade and was equipped with twenty-four AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters.  In August 2005, the Wolfpack returned to the Unit Fielding and Training Program at Fort Hood in preparation for combat in Iraq.  In July 2006, the Wolfpack deployed to COB Speicher, Iraq as part of the OIF surge forces and fought for 15 months.  The Wolfpack earned a third Meritorious Unit Commendation and a Valorous Unit Award for combat operation in Baqubah, Iraq.

Upon return from the extended deployment in Iraq, the battalion immediately began to train and prepare for another year-long deployment, this time to Afghanistan’s Regional-Command South as part of the first Combat Aviation Brigade deployment to serve in that area of operations.  From April 2009-April 2010 the Wolfpack directly support US, coalition, and Special Operations Forces in combat with distinction, earning a fourth Meritorious Unit Commendation.  In addition, Bravo Company was awarded its second Valorous Unit Award.

The Wolfpack served a yearlong combat tour in Afghanistan, the headquarters serving at FOB Salerno in Regional Command-East from September 2011 – September 2012.

In late 2014 the Wolfpack again deployed to Afghanistan, this time for nine months. The battalion was separated throughout the eastern region of Afghanistan with the headquarters being in Jalalabad and flight companies in Bagram and at FOB Shank. During the deployment the unit supported Special Operations Forces as they conducted unilateral Afghan combat operations. These operations were crucial in preparing the Afghan Army to secure the Helmand region. The Wolfpack redeployed in the spring of 2015.

In March 2021 Task Force Wolfpack deployed to Iraq and various locations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve to provide aviation support for multiple Special Operation units and members of NATO. During this time, Bravo Company deployed with TF Talon to Afghanistan in support of Operation Resolute Support which led the White Wolves assisting with the retrograde of American Forces and the evacuation of the US Embassy in Kabul. 1-82 Attack Battalion was awarded the unit’s Fifth Meritorious Unit Citation for the successful retrograde operation within Afghanistan. The battalion redeployed from their multiple locations throughout CENTCOM back to Fort Bragg in Fall 2021.

Today, members of the WOLFPACK continue to serve by training and remaining ready for when the day comes again to answer our nation’s call. WPFL!