"Spartans"
1st Battalion, 223d Aviation Regiment is currently organized into three line companies, an HHC and an Army air ambulance detachment "FLATIRON." The battalion's mission is to coordinate and conduct flight instruction and operations at Cairns Army Airfield, Knox Army Heliport, and Shell Army Heliport to provide the Army with professionally trained CH-47 aviators.
Additionally, it conducts initial rotary wing contact and instrument training in the LUH-72 Lakota while evaluating and performing quality assurance to include instrument flight examiner training. The Spartans are also responsible for the CH-47 Non-rated Crewmember Flight and Standardization Instructor Course. The battalion provides general aviation and crash-rescue support to the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence while conducting aeromedical evacuation operations throughout the southeastern United States. The battalion continues to provide safe and quality training to our up and coming future generation pilots.
The battalion's motto is "The Mark of Excellence."
Leadership
Commander, 1-223d Aviation Regiment
Lt. Col. Andrew Bartlett
Lieutenant Colonel Andrew M. Bartlett grew up in Kemmerer, WY. He attended the University of North Dakota, graduating with a degree in Commercial Aviation—Helicopter, and commissioned into the Aviation Branch. In 2008, he completed the Aviation Basic Officer’s Course with a CH-47D qualification.
LTC Bartlett began his career at Ft. Riley, KS, where he served in Fox Company and Bravo Company in platoon leader and executive officer positions, which included a deployment to Iraq. Following the deployment, LTC Bartlett took command of Bravo Company, 2-1 GSAB.
Command Sgt. Major, 1-223d Aviation Regiment
Ricketts enlisted in the Army in 1999. He attended Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Fort Benning GA and attended Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville AL. Upon completion he was awarded the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 55B which was later changed to 89B ammunition specialist. CSM Ricketts later re-classed to become a 68N which was switched to 15N Avionics Mechanic...READ MORE