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The 1st Battalion, 5th Aviation Regiment conducts general support aviation operations and provides administrative support for the Headquarters, Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), Fort 32D Hospital Center Leadership :: Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Johnson (army.mil) and the United States Army Garrison, in order to train Soldiers, grow leaders, and support the validation of units as they prepare to deploy, fight, and win our nation's wars.
History
Constituted 20 July 1940 as the 5th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, assigned to the 5th Division. Activated 10 August 1940 at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana.
Activated 10 August 1940 at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana.
Reorganized and re-designated 1 October 1943 as the 5th Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized.
Reorganized and re-designated 4 March 1946 as the 5th Mechanized Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop.
Inactivated 20 September 1946 at Camp Campbell, Kentucky.
Re-designated 6 July 1948 as the 5th Reconnaissance Company and activated at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
Activated 1 March 1951 at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation , Pennsylvania.
Inactivated 1 September 1953 at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Pennsylvania.
Activated 25 May 1954 in Germany.
Inactivated 1 June 1957 at Fort Ord, California.
Converted and re-designated 26 January 1962 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Aviation Battalion.
Battalion activated 19 February 1962 at Fort Carson, Colorado (HHC, 5th Aviation Battalion, reorganized and re-designated 12 February 1964 as HHD, 5th Aviation Battalion; Company A inactivated 25 April 1966 in Vietnam).
Battalion (less Company A) inactivated 24 June 1967 at Fort Carson, Colorado HHD, 5th Aviation Battalion, re-designated 21 July 1975 as the Aviation Company, 5th Infantry Division, and activated at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
5th Aviation Battalion (Provisional) activated December 1977 at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
Reorganized and re-designated 1 September 1982 as HHC, 5th Aviation Battalion.
Relieved 16 November 1987 from assignment to the 5th Infantry Division; concurrently reorganized and re-designated as the 5th Aviation, a parent regiment under the United States Army Regimental System, with Headquarters at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
5th Aviation Battalion was activated on 1 October 2017 at Fort Polk, Louisiana (known as Fort Johnson since 2023) and designated as Aviation Battalion, JRTC and Fort Polk.
Leadership
LTC James B. Polk, Battalion Commander
LTC John F. Robichaux Jr., born in Alexandria, LA and raised in Lake Charles, LA, is happily married to the former Laura Simpson of Grand Prairie, TX, and they share the joy of their little man, Erik. LTC Robichaux is the proud parent of four grown children, Tobi, Kaden, Camron, and Jordan.
He received his commission from Grambling State University ROTC when he graduated from the University of Louisiana-Monroe in Monroe, LA, earning a Bachelors of Science. He holds a Masters of Business Administration from The University of The Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX. A graduate of the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Officer Basic Course, he also attended the Aviation Captain’s Career Course, and the Command and General Staff College.
LTC Robichaux began his career as a Platoon Leader for the United States Army Air Ambulance Detachment (USAAAD), 5th Aviation Battalion (Provisional), Ft. Johnson, LA. He deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as a Forward Support MEDEVAC Platoon Leader with C, 6-101 General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB), Ft. Campbell, KY. After serving as the Army’s Medical Evacuation Observer, Coach/Trainer at Ft. Johnson, LA, he returned to command the United States Army Air Ambulance Detachment, 5th Aviation Battalion (Provisional). At Joint Base San Antonio, TX, LTC Robichaux was assigned as an Aeromedical Evacuation Capabilities Developer for HRCoE Capabilities Integration Directorate; and then served as the Executive Officer for the 232nd Medical Training Battalion. He served as an Observer, Coach/Trainer for the Mission Command Training Program in Ft. Leavenworth, KS, and most recently, he left Sembach, Germany where he served as the Chief of Operations (G3) for the Medical Readiness Command, Europe.
LTC Robichaux’s military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, two Air Medals, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Combat Action Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge, Senior Aviator’s Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge Gold, and the Norwegian Ruck March Badge Bronze.
CSM Jack J. Essig, Battalion Command Sergeant Major
Command Sergeant Major Jack Essig is a native of Cranston, Rhode Island and enlisted in the Army as an Aviation Operation Specialist. He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, SC and he received his Advanced Individual Training as at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
CSM Essig has served in every leadership position from squad leader to Command Sergeant Major. He has performed duties as Brigade Training NCO, Airfield NCOIC, Senior O/C TOC Trainer, ADAM/BAE NCOIC, Battalion and Brigade Operations NCOIC and Air Operations Training Committee Chief.
His assignments include Fort Bragg, NC, Camp Humphreys, Korea, Fort Huachuca, AZ, Fort McPherson, GA, Fort Rucker, AL, Schofield Barracks, HI, Fort Polk, LA, Fort Campbell, KY and Fort Bliss, TX. He has 3 deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and 2 deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
His military education includes all levels of NCOPDS to include the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, Battle Staff Course, Master Raven Operator Course, Observer/Controller Course, Combat Life Savers Course, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Master Resilience Trainer Course, Common Faculty Development Instructor Course, and the First Sergeant Course. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Leadership and Workforce Development. He is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Adult Education from Troy University.
CSM Essig’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (6), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (8), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (4), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Meritorious Unit Commendation (2), Army Superior Unit Award, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2 stars), Iraqi Campaign Medal (4 stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, NCO Development Ribbon (5), Overseas Service Ribbon (4), NATO Medal, Drivers Badge, Combat Action Badge, Basic Instructor Badge and the Master Aviation Badge, as well as the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award (2), and Army Superior Unit Award (2). He is also a recipient of the Order of Saint Michael (Bronze Medal).
Unit Footprint/Location
DIRECTIONS TO MAKS ARMY AIRFIELD
From Leesville Area
- Travel south via US-171 S. Take a left onto Entrance Rd to Fort Johnson main gate. Continue straight on Entrance Road. Once you pass the Smoothie King, turn left onto Texas Avenue. Make a right on Pennsylvania Road. Turn right onto California Avenue, and continue straight until you reach the Hangars on the right hand side.
Incoming Personnel
Incoming Single Soldiers will live in the barracks located on 12th Street in Building 1635.
The Geronimo Warrior Restaurant is about a 8 minute walk and is located next to the MEB Fitness Gym.
Slideshow below is a representation of the barracks and its common areas.
Welcome Packet
Headquarters and Headquarters Company “Hawks”
