63rd Theater Aviation Brigade

This is the official webpage of the 63rd TAB.

Organized and federally recognized Sept. 15, 1986 in the Kentucky National Guard (Army component) at Frankfort as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Aviation Brigade, 35th Infantry Division. The unit was reorganized and re-designated Sept. 1, 1995, as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 63rd Aviation Group, and relieved from assignment to the 35th Infantry Division. The unit, headquartered in Frankfort, was later forged from the former aviation group and re-designated as the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade Aug. 30, 2007.

The 63rd TAB carries a proud legacy of aviation service within the Kentucky National Guard, building upon decades of contributions to both state and federal missions, and its rich history, dating back to the early days of winged flight. The 63rd TAB continues that tradition of excellence today. This heritage is further highlighted through compelling stories of our Soldiers, such as the remarkable account of the Kentucky National Guard's first Army Aviator, Captain Bee Rife Osborne – which is a tale of courage, dedication and pioneering in Army aviation.

Read about Capt. Osborne by clicking here: "Captain Bee Rife Osborne: Kentucky National Guard's First Army Aviator"

To delve deeper into the broader history of Kentucky Army National Guard Army Aviation, explore 110 years of service to the Commonwealth and the Nation by clicking here: "History of the Kentucky National Guard Army Aviation"

Visual representations of this history, such as the evocative heritage print depicting two Kentucky Army National Guard UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters from Detachment 1, Company B, 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment "Crossing the Tigris River" during operations in Iraq, a dedicated heritage print honoring Captain Bee Rife Osborne, and many others serve as powerful reminders of the unit's operational deployments and the sacrifices made by its Soldiers.

The most current stories of today's Soldiers from the 63rd TAB are published on this site.


About the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade Distinctive Unit Insignia

The unit is known for its distinctive unit insignia. A silver colored metal and enamel device blazoned as follows: per chevron enarched Azure and Gris, on an arrowhead throughout counter-changed in chief a demi-Pegasus issuant Sable and in base a mulletty of the second. Attached to the sides and below the device, a red scroll inscribed “UNBRIDLED THUNDER” in silver. Overall dimensions are 1 3/16 inches (3.02 cm) in height. Symbolism: Blue is the color traditionally associated with the Aviation units. The shield represents defense. The arrowhead signifies readiness; pointing up, indicates the spirit of the aviation mission. The Pegasus symbolizes the Brigade’s mission of flight, alluding to the unit’s location, Kentucky, the horse capital of the world. The stars suggest constancy; the two rows of stars, six and three, allude to the number “63,” the Brigade’s designation. The distinctive unit insignia was approved Aug. 30, 2007.

63rd TAB NEWS

Kentucky Aviation officer promoted to colonel
August 6, 2025
U.S. Army Col. Gabriel Spicer is pinned with new rank by his daughter during his promotion ceremony at the Army Aviation Support Facility on Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Kentucky, July 24, 2025.

Kentucky National Guard Helps Fight Wildfire of Historic Kosovo Monastery
July 14, 2025
Task Force Aviation of Kentucky National Guard, assigned to the 256th IBCT and KFOR RC-E drops water over a wildfire threatening the Devic Monastery in Kosovo, July 8, 2025. Crews worked 19 hours to suppress the fire using helcopter water buckets.

Calm in the Chaos: Flight Medic Training Turns Real
June 5, 2025
Staff Sgt. Ashley Renye performs during a culminating training event to medically evacuate Soldiers at Fort Cavazos, Texas, May 14, 2025.

Kentucky National Guard band supports local historical society’s 200th bicentennial event
May 23, 2025
Soldiers with the Kentucky National Guard’s 202nd Army Band performs a concert at the Kentucky Historical Society’s (KHS) 200th anniversary event at the Old State Capitol in Frankfort, Ky. on May 17, 2025. The band supported the 200th anniversary of the French officer Marquis de Lafayette’s visit of Frankfort which was coordinated by the KHS. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Dickson)

Kentucky Lakota Pilots Land at UK Hospital
May 15, 2025
Maj. Curtis Lowe, Chief Warrant Officer 3 James Ashbrook, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Patrick Ferguson with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 376th Aviation Regiment, 751st Troop Command, 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, Kentucky Army National Guard conducted a training flight to the rooftop of University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital in Lexington, Ky. on May 5, 2025.

Kentucky MEDEVAC prepares for deployment to Europe
April 28, 2025
Capt. Corey Oney, 2-238th MEDEVAC commander, speaks to those in attendance of the deployment ceremony on April 25, 2025 in Frankfort, Kentucky. Approximately 30 Soldiers from the 2-238th are deploying to Europe in support of intratheater aeromedical evacuations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. First Class Ryan Wilhoit)

Kentucky musicians perform at national-level workshop
March 14, 2025
Soldiers of the 202nd Army Band's Tuba-Euphonium Quartet perform at the 2025 Tuba-Euphonium Workshop, hosted by The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own," Jan. 30, 2025. Military musicians from across the country attend the workshop each year for world-class performances, lectures, and masterclasses. (Photo courtesy of Alexander Rogge)

Kentucky Guard holds first leadership conference of its kind
February 21, 2025
Brig. Gen. Haldane Lamberton, adjutant general for Kentucky spoke to the audience of staff sergeants during the two-day leader development program event held at Kentucky State University in Frankfort Feb. 8-9, 2025.

Kentucky National Guard adapts to shifting weather threats
February 17, 2025
Sgt. Charles Hall, crew chief from Charlie Co 2-238th MEDEVAC, scans waterways in eastern Kentucky for stranded flood survivors on February 17, 2025.

Kentucky Soldiers aid the Commonwealth
January 21, 2025
Members of a toss teams from the 149th Engineer Vertical Construction Company, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade assist in the clearance of essential roadways in Morgan County, Ky., Jan.9 2025.

63rd TAB

63rd Theater Aviation Brigade (BNGC, Frankfort)

https://www.facebook.com/63rd-Theater-Aviation-Brigade-145743475454804/

751st Troop Command (BNGC, Frankfort)

KYNG Army Aviation History

Heritage Print: "Crossing the Tigris"
Heritage Print: Crossing the Tigris

Publication: History of the Kentucky National Guard Army Aviation
History of the KYNG Army Aviation 1915-2025

Heritage Print: Captain Bee Rife Osborne
Heritage Print: Capt. Bee Rife Osborne

Publication: Captain Bee Rife Osborne: Kentucky National Guard's First Army Aviator
Capt. Bee Rife Osborne: KYNG's First Army Aviator
 
Video: "Bee Rife Osborne: Kentucky National Guard’s First Military Aviator"
DVIDS link to video