Army Air Corps AAC Rgt Patch 4 Regiment AAC FEBA W Germany 1980s

Army Air Corps Patch 4 Regiment AAC Army Air Corps FEBA Early 1980s Detmold West Germany Cold War Lynx TOW Embroidered on twill 102mm four inches diameter.

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Regiment history

4th Division Aviation Regiment formed on 24 October 1969 with Scout helicopters and comprised 654 Aviation Squadron located at Herford 661 Aviation Squadron located at Detmold and 662 Aviation Squadron located at Munster. In 1972 the Regiment lost 662 Aviation Squadron to 2 Division Aviation Regiment and gained 660 Aviation Squadron. On 1 January 1973 the Regiment was re-titled 4 Regiment Army Air Corps.

In November 1977 the Regiment was restructured to consist of Regimental Headquarters 661 Squadron Army Air Corps A Squadron at Detmold and 658 Squadron Army Air Corps B Squadron at Minden. In 1978 these Squadrons were re-named 654 Squadron Army Air Corps at Detmold and 664 Squadron Army Air Corps at Minden. Lynx AH Mk1 aircraft replaced the Scout, initially in the light utility role until the TOW tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided anti-tank missile system capability was operational between 1978 and 1983.

In January 1983 re-organization meant the Regiment while retaining 654 Squadron Army Air Corps lost 664 Squadron Army Air Corps which became independent remaining at Minden as the Corps Support Squadron and the Regiment took responsibility for 659 Squadron Army Air Corps and 669 Squadron Army Air Corps following the disbandment of 9 Regiment Army Air Corps. Gazelle aircraft were added to the Regiments armoury and aircraft support continuing to be provided by 4 Regiment Army Air Corps Workshops Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. The Regiment deployed with other Germany based assets for Operation Granby Iraq 1990-1991.

With the end of the Cold War 4 Regiment relocated to RAF Wattisham renamed Wattisham Airfield in 1995 and re-rolled to 24 Airmobile Brigade. 659 Squadron Army Air Corps was re-equipped with Lynx Mk9 light battlefield helicopters whilst the other two flying squadrons retained their anti-tank role.

On 1 September 1999 24 Airmobile Brigade was amalgamated with of 5 Airborne Brigade to become 16 Air Assault Brigade to bring together the agility and reach of airborne forces with the potency of the attack helicopter with the Regiment newly equipped Apache attack helicopter. 

The Regiment was again re-organized during 2007 with 659 Squadron Army Air Corps and 669 Squadron Army Air Corps relocating to Dishforth to become part of 9 Regiment Army Air Corps and 664 Squadron Army Air Corps and 656 Squadron Army Air Corps replacing them at Wattisham Airfield from 9 Regiment Army Air Corps

This patch dates from the early 1980s.