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

Aviators Get Dunked
April 24, 2022
Dunker is a training that prepares helicopter pilots and crew members in life saving measure if they were to ever find themselves having to abandon their air craft in an inadvertent submerged situation.

Kentucky Aviator recognized for four decades of service
December 14, 2021
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Dave Mattox celebrates 40 years of service to his country

Kentucky Soldiers awarded for their work during pandemic
December 6, 2021
Sayre Christian Village resident Paul Frederick and Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Rezac, 63rd TAB, smile as Kentucky National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Hal Lamberton presents Fredrick and Soldiers with a military coin for appreciation following a ceremony at the Army Aviation Support Facility hanger on Boone National Guard Center Dec. 2. The Soldiers are awarded the honors because of the assistance they provided during the pandemic. (US Army National Guard Photo by Mrs. Jesse Elbouab)

63rd Theater Aviation Brigade Change of Command
June 11, 2021
63rd TAB CoC, 2021

Guardsmen support Derby in reduced capacity
May 2, 2021
147th Kentucky Derby

A generational brotherhood found in midst of pandemic
April 30, 2021
A generational brotherhood found in midst of pandemic

Happy Birthday, Bluegrass Marchers!
April 6, 2021
202nd Army Band celebrates 100 years

Kentucky Guardsmen Support Greatest Generation
February 19, 2021

2-238th MEDEVAC Returns from Deployment
February 18, 2021
Staff Sgt. Stephen Parker and Staff Sgt. Shaun Morris, along with pilots, Capt. Jonathan Strayer and Chief Warrant Officer Kristan Beard, conduct hoist and joint MEDEVAC training with U.S. Marines over New Antonik, Afghanistan July 2020.

Trust the Process - Lessons learned from Vanessa Guillen Investigation at Fort Hood
February 17, 2021
Vanessa Guillen

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