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 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.

National Guard supports Kentucky wreath laying ceremony
December 10, 2024
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Haldane B. Lamberton, adjutant general of Kentucky, salutes the wreath he hung in honor of prisoners-of war and missing-in-action at the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs wreath laying ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort, Kentucky on Dec. 9, 2024. The Kentucky National Guard supported the ceremony by providing music from the 202nd Band and a color guard from the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Andy Dickson)

751st Troop Command All Hazards Exercise
September 27, 2024
Soldiers with the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade pose for a photo with members of Wolfe County search and rescue team and Red Star Wilderness emergency medical services at the Disney Training Center in Artemus, Kentucky on Sept. 14, 2024.

Combat Medics train for recerts
September 19, 2024
Combat medics recertify at BNGC.

Kentucky aviation conducts aerial gunnery at Grayling
August 8, 2024
U.S. Army Spc. Austin Banks fires the M240 machine gun during mounted gunnery in a UH-60 Blackhawk at Camp Grayling Army Airfield in Grayling, Michigan on July 16, 2024. Banks is a crew chief in Bravo Company 2/147th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade,  who was conducting aerial gunnery during their annual training. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Dickson)

63rd Theater Aviation Brigade welcomes new commander
July 9, 2024
U.S. Army Col. Michael Armstrong relinquished command to Lt. Col. Gabriel Spicer during the change of command with Soldiers, family, and friends present.

Kentucky National Guard supports 35th Thunder Over Louisville
April 20, 2024
Soldiers of the 2-147th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, perform a helocast demonstration as part of the Thunder Over Louisville’s Air Show in Louisville, Kentucky, April 20, 2024.

Kentucky’s Adoption Assistance Program expands growing Guard family
January 4, 2024
The Meredith Family

Kentucky aviators take part in simulated post-nuclear response exercise
December 14, 2023
Kentucky Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter is loaded with radiological detection equipment during Prominent Hunt 24-1 interagency exercise in Frankfort, Kentucky, Oct. 8, 2023.

KYNG Elevates Aviation Day at Capital City Airport
September 17, 2023
Children sit in the back of a UH-60 Black Hawk at the 2023 Frankfort Aviation Day in Frankfort, Kentucky, Sept. 16, 2023. The Black Hawk is one of the primary aircraft used by the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade in tactical and humanitarian operations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Caleb Sooter)

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"
Click to open HiRes heritage print: Crossing the Tigris

Publication: History of the Kentucky National Guard Army Aviation
Click to open pdf: History of the KYNG Army Aviation 1915-2025

Heritage Print: Captain Bee Rife Osborne
Click to open HiRes heritage print: Capt. Bee Rife Osborne

Publication: Captain Bee Rife Osborne: Kentucky National Guard's First Army Aviator
Click to open pdf: Capt. Bee Rife Osborne: KYNG's First Army Aviator
 
Video: "Bee Rife Osborne: Kentucky National Guard’s First Military Aviator"
Click to visit DVIDS and open link to watch video: CPT Bee Rife Osborne