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503rd Aviation Battalion
3rd Armored Division
Looking for more information from military/civilian personnel assigned to or associated with the U.S. Army in Germany from 1945 to 1989. If you have any stories or thoughts on the subject, please email me (webmaster).

503rd Avn Co (19..-1963)

503rd AB(C) (1963-1986)

A Co (Cbt Spt)

B Co (Attack)

C Co (Attack)

D Co (AVIM)

E Co

503rd AHB (1986-1987)

2nd Bn, 227th Avn History (1987-19..)

Newspaper articles

Related Links
503rd Avn Bn Timeline (Project)
 
503rd Aviation Company History
 

1. L-19 BIRD DOG of 503rd Avn Co, 1962 (Günter Grondstein)

 
(Source: Hanno Englaender, Germany)
Both fixed-wing as well as rotary aircraft of the Aviation Detachment, 3rd Armd Div at Bonames Army Airfield in June 1956
 
503rd Aviation Company Patch (courtesy Richard Wilder)

Fixed Wing Pltn, 503rd Avn Co Patch (courtesy Richard Wilder)
 
(Source: 3rd Armored Division, Yearbook 1958, Germany)
The 503rd Aviation Company was activated on October 1, 1957, when the Division was organized under ROCAD.

Prior to that time, 3rd Armd Div's air support was provided by twelve aviation sections scattered throughout the division area, each attached to a major command or unit. These sections were merged under ROCAD and based at Fliegerhorst Kaserne (Hanau).

The unit's duties include aerial observation, artillery fire adjustment, reconnaissance, convoy control and radio relay.
 
(Source: STARS & STRIPES, May 1963)
503rd Aviation Co Becomes Battalion At Reorganization

HANAU, Germany (Special) The 3rd Armd Div's 503rd Aviation Co has been reorganized as a battalion during a review and change-of-command ceremony held here.

Lt Col James D. Davenport became the first commanding officer of the Provisional Battalion. Maj Richard E. Blanks, former 503rd CO, assumes command of the new battalion's Co B.

Davenport was division aviation officer before the battalion was formed; he retains that post as battalion commander.

Addressing the battalion and guests, Davenport expressed pleasure at being able to command another Spearhead battalion, having formerly commanded the 45th Medical Bn.

Following the ceremonies guests were shown a static display of vehicles and aircraft.
If you have more information on the history or organization of the 503rd Avn Co, 503rd Avn Bn or the 2nd Bn, 227th Avn Regiment, please contact me.
 
503rd Aviation Battalion (Cbt) History
 
503rd Aviation Battalion DI
 
MISCELLANEOUS UNIT INFORMATION

UNIT DESIGNATION

DUTY STATION COMMENTS
HSC, 503rd Avn Bn (Cbt)    
A Company    
B Company    
C Company    
D Company    
E Company    
 
VARIOUS POCKET PATCHES

Avn Co, 3rd Armd Div
Pocket Patch

503rd Avn Bn
Pocket Patch

503rd Avn Bn
Patch worn mid-1960s

189th Avn Co
Pocket Patch

2nd Bn, 227th Avn Regt
Pocket Patch
    
 
(Source: Email from David Hall, ASTA Pltn, 1965-66) 
 
I served as an AN/MPQ-29 radar operator in the ASTA (Aerial Surveillance and Target Acquisition) platoon of B Company, 503 Avn Bn from January 1965 to August 1966. (Webmaster Note: The ASTA Platoon performed visual, electronic and photographic reconnaissance.) 

The Aerial Surveillance and Target Acquisition platoon's function was to take photographs of selected targets.  The mobile tracking and plotting radar set had a mechanical plotting board on which a map was placed.  The plotting board would track a drone or an aircraft showing altitude while a tracking pen would trace its flight path on the board. This allowed the drone operator to take photographs when the drone was over the selected target or would allow the radar operator to instruct an aircraft pilot to turn camera on or off.  I don't remember the exact range of the radar but I believe for a drone it was about 15 miles.

The drones were small about 12 feet I think and carried a camera mounted in the belly.  When the mission was over, the drone was flown back to the radar site and a parachute was deployed to safely lower the drone and camera.
When an OV1 Mohawk was used the range was greater and could be increased by using a transponder. The pilot would fly to an area where we could easily lock onto his aircraft and victor him to the target area.  The drone or aircraft was locked onto the radar by one of two methods.  One method was called search where the radar antenna would rapidly go back and forth and up and down until it found something on which to lock.  This was sometimes difficult to do if there were several aircraft, mountains or heavy clouds.  The other method was to use special tripod mounted binoculars that were syncronized to the radar antenna.  An operator would use the binoculars to locate the drone or aircraft and could lock the radar antenna onto the them by pressing a trigger. 

In one of the photos I sent, I am operating the binoculars in such a fashion.  You can also see the drone operator on the left side of the picture.  Once the drone was out of sight he would enter the radar unit to control the drone. Once the cameras were retrieved, the photographers took over.  The cameras and film were high quality and the photographers did a great job. I was told that a camera and drone cost about $100,000.  I don't know if it was true. 

The picture of the radar set in operation was actually taken by one of the photographers holding the surveillance camera. When we went into the field we carried a lot of gear. In addition to the trucks full of drones and the two radar sets, we had to carry all the equipment to maintain the drones which had gasoline engines and wooden propellers and parachutes.  Each radar set had to have a large generator which used a jeep engine to supply power for the radar.  Each radar also had two smaller generators for communications purposes.  The photographers also had all the gear to develop the prints. 

I have several old photos and some military papers. Most of us in the ASTA platoon had received our training at the USACSTATC at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.  I remember Col. Wilhelm as the Bn Cmdr and Maj. Knight as B Company Cmdr.  Our platoon leader was Lt. Trieber. 

I remember we had fixed-wing aircraft such as Beavers, Otters and our largest fixed wing aircraft was the OV-1B Mohawk.  Our rotary wing aircraft were OH1, HU1B, and H34. 

The ASTA platoon had two AN/MPQ-29 radar sets with all related equipment and many wooden propeller driven drones. We took part in several exercises with Operation Silver Talon being the most memorable. Our barracks were on the west side of "Red Square" next to the consolidated mess hall.  When my room mate and I left in August of 1966 we were the last of the radar section and turned our equipment over to a photographer.  The unit was very short handed as the Viet Nam War was drawing many resources from Europe. 

I'll be happy to look at my old record and photos for information if this is the type of material you want.  I took a few 8mm movies while on maneuvers.  I haven't tried to view them in decades but they contain images of our aircraft and drones in action.
David Hall

ASTA Pltn
Fliegerhorst Ksn, Hanau

 

1. Two ASTA Pltn OV1 Mohawks at the Hohenfels, October 1965 (KB)
2. AN/MPQ-29 radar (KB)

3. A drone photo mission at Grafenwoehr, February 1965 (KB)

4. Radar set at Hohenfels, October 1965  (KB)
5. The 503rd Avn motor pool at Fliegerhorst (KB)
6. Dave with some buddies (KB)		  

7. One of the ruins at the Grafenwoehr Training Area (KB)

 

8. Special orders (KB)
9. Leave orders (KB)
10. (KB)		  

503rd Avn Bn
Fliegerhorst Ksn, Hanau
The following pictures are taken from old 8mm movies created by David Hall during his tour. Although some of the pics are a little fuzzy, they are of historical interest.
 

1. 503rd Avn convoy forms (150 KB)
2. 503rd barracks (212 KB)

3. Part of the airfield (119 KB)

4. Flight tower (KB)
5. Hqs, 503rd Avn Bn (KB)
6. Drone hangar (KB)		  

7. Airfield service vehicles (KB)
8. Hangar area (KB)
9. Hangar area (KB)
  

10. UH-1 Huey (KB)
      
 
(Source: Email from Angelo Merluccio, C Co, 503rd CAB, 1979-1981)
I served in Germany from 1979-1981 with the 3rd Armor Division, C Co.  503rd Combat Aviation Attack Helicopters as a 68G10.

I came across your web site by accident while playing with my own search technology and google. I have attached a few photos
from 1979-1981.

503rd Avn Bn
Fliegerhorst Ksn, Hanau

 

1. Army dispensary (KB)
2. Maint Section sign (KB)

3. 503rd CAB barracks (KB)

4. Fliegerhorst airfield (KB)
5. AH-1 Cobra (KB)
6. AH-1 Cobras lined up in front of hangar (KB)		  

7. Back of C Co, 503rd CAB hangar (KB)
8. Angelo Merluccio at Hohenfels (KB)
9. "C" Company sign (KB) 		 

10. Looking at "C" Co hangar, Winter 1980 (KB)
11. Inside the "C" Co hangar (KB)
12. Coleman AAF, Sandhofen (KB)
  
 
(Source: Email from Kenneth M. Winters, Co D (AVIM), 503rd Avn Bn)
Re question on Overview Page: [1] it is possible that the 58th TAMC was actually assigned to the division's DISCOM and was not really a subordinate element of TFV. OR, the unit was originally part of TFV and then reassigned to DISCOM. Can anybody provide details? Yes. I’m CW2 (USA Retired) Ken Winters. My dates are approximate, but I should be close.

I was assigned to Co. D (AVIM), 503d Avn. Bn., as a Maint. Tech./AH-1& UH-1 Maint. Test Pilot/ and DSSA (Div. Supply Support Activity) OIC. We were removed from the 503d Avn Bn and assigned to DISCOM in approx. Feb 1986, as the 58th TAMC, as the Bn. became the 4th Bde, under the new MTOE. I remember vividly because I had to got to DISCOM in Frankfurt at 3rd Armored Div. HQ. once or twice a week for unit business.

We were not a sub-element of TFV (Task Force Viper), but we did share part of our hangar with the new TFV. Since we supported the new 4th Bde with AVIM capability, but they had no authority over us, the decision was finally made to take us out of DISCOM control and put us under the Bde. It made sense.

Then the unit became Co. I, 227th Avn. in approx. July 1987.

I retired in Sep 1986, got a European out and was in the area working, so I watched the migration. Our Commander was MAJ Thomas Dockens (now COL, USA Retired).
 
503rd Attack Helicopter Battalion History
 
(Source: Email from Daniel Sullivan)
Served as a 68M in C Company, 503rd AHB from Dec 1984 through about May 1986. Lived in old barracks near control tower. Overlooked post laundry. Had to move across the post after a little over a year because our barracks were being renovated. Best of times, worst of times.
 
Newspaper articles
 
 
 
 
Related Links:
B Company 503rd Cbt Avn Bn - Several former members of B Co in the mid 1960s have created a website for veterans of the 503rd Avn Bn. Very nice! Former members are encouraged to contact them for input and possible reunions.