Fort Campbell Challenge Coins
Home to the US Army’s Elite Air Assault Force
Home of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
“Rendezvous With Destiny” - the motto of the 101st Airborne Division, a phrase coined by a speech in Major General William C. Lee’s first address to the newly formed unit born on August 16, 1942
The motto was also famously used by Ronald Reagan in his memorable “A Time for Choosing Speech”, October 27, 1964.
.png?width=207&height=300&name=800px-US_101st_Airborne_Division_patch.svg%20(1).png "101st Airborne Division Insignia for challenge coin")
Fort Campbell, located on the Kentucky-Tennessee border between Hopkinsville, Kentucky and Clarksville, Tennessee (post address is in Kentucky), is home to the 101st Airborne Division and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. The fort was named for Union Army Brigadier General William Bowen Campbell, who served as the last Whig Governor of Tennessee.
Home to over 21,000 people, the primary role of Fort Campbell is to support and train Air Assault troops of the 101st Airborne Division at the Fort Campbell Air Assault School, Thousands of military personnel enter the school each year to learn combat readiness, jumpmaster operations, rappelling, and other skill sets.
The 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division, with over 18,000 troops and four hundred helicopters, is one of the world's most powerful armed forces. The 101st is also well-known in the local area around Ft.
Campbell for its full-time parachute team, endearingly called the “Screaming Eagles.”
The insignia of the 101st Airborne Division's “Screaming Eagles” comes from a bald eagle on a black shield. The eagle on the patch, known as “Old Abe,” was originally the mascot of a Wisconsin regiment during the Civil War and was named in honor of President Lincoln.
US Army Airborne and Air Assault are some of the most elite light infantry troops in history, and U.S. DOD Coins is the go-to challenge coin maker for all the brave soldiers who have taken on the responsibility and the mission of the defense of freedom.
Airborne and Air Assault Custom Challenge Coins
For an airborne infantryman, there are two primary ways to get into battle: parachuting from an airplane on a static line or flying and fast-roping down to the landing zone via assault helicopter.
Those who parachute in are called airborne units and usually fight on foot once they land. Those who fly in helicopters are called air assault units. These Soldiers not only know how to insert via helicopter but can also maneuver around the war zone using their helicopters for rapid re-deployment.
United States Army Air Assault School Challenge Coins
The US Army Air Assault School is also known as the Sabalauski Air Assault School, named after Command Sergeant Major Walter Sabalauski. A former boxer, he was a US Army soldier who served in the Pacific theater during WWII, the Korean War, and even the Vietnam War, where at the age of 56 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star, the 2nd and 3rd highest military decorations for bravery in combat.
The Air Assault School is a ten-day course of training that teaches Air Assault techniques. It's also one of the most physically demanding 10 days in the military. Training is undertaken in 3 phases once you get past what is termed “Day Zero.”
Day Zero - Physical Test and Meticulous Inspection/Layout of Issued Items
This is when soldiers are required to complete an obstacle course, a 2-mile run, and pass a rigorous inspection and layout of issued items before they even start the first official day of training. The obstacle course features a few physical challenges for candidates to perform specifically at great heights, to see how their nerves react to stress at high elevation.
Phase 1 - Combat Assault
During this 3-day component of instruction, soldiers learn about aircraft safety, aircraft orientation and familiarization, MEDEVAC evacuations, pathfinder operations, hand-and-arm signals, close combat assaults, and combat assault methods.
Phase 2 - Slingload Operations
The second phase, which also lasts for three days, focuses on learning how to load and transport supplies using 10,000 pound cargo nets. Students will also learn how to inspect and rig Humvees and Howitzer artillery units for air transport by sling.
Phase 3 - Rappelling
Soldiers will learn how to rappel in this 3-day phase, including how to tie a "Swiss seat" with rope (using a rope tied in a specific way under your legs and around your waist to form the vehicle that will allow you to pass through the actual rope you are traveling down). They'll also practice fast-roping and rappelling both with and without combat gear, as well as rappel from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter.
12-Mile Ruck March
On the very last day of school, which is also graduation day, soldiers are required to ruck march a 12-mile distance in under 3 hours and pass another inspection and layout of items issued on “day zero.”
Whether you’re jumping out of a plane or a chopper, U.S. DOD Coins has the right airborne challenge coins custom-made for you.
Ft. Campbell is Also Home to the Following Units:
- 5th Special Forces
- 101st Combat Aviation Brigade
- 101st Sustainment Brigade
- 101st Field Artillery Division
- 19th Air Support Operation Squadron
- Blanchfield Army Community Hospital
Preparing a drop zone for soldiers and supplies takes hard work, dedication, and commitment. At U.S. DOD Coins, we’re committed to honoring America’s heroes with only the best custom challenge coins, pins and patches around.
Ideas and Themes for US Army Airborne and SOAR Challenge Coins, Pins, Patches and Belt-Buckles
1. US Army Air Assault Helicopters - Every air assault trooper and helicopter pilot that flies in one of these helos is sure to have vivid memories. The following two helicopters stand out more than any other in the history of modern light infantry, with later models expanding the mission potential of rotary wing aircraft in general:
- The UH-1 “Huey” - first used in the Vietnam War, recorded more combat time than any other aircraft in the history of warfare
- The UH-60 “Black Hawk” - first used in a major war in 1991 in Iraq, demonstrating the viability of a helicopter force in maneuver warfare, not just fighting insurgents; used extensively in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan (2001 - 2021)
"The Huey was the best helicopter ever made. We saved so many more people because of that helicopter.” - Col. Bruce Crandall, “A” Company Commander of 229th Assault Helicopter Battallion, 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam
Helicopters make ideal design elements for custom 3D challenge coins. Bring your challenge coin idea to life with U.S. DOD Coins!
2. The Unique Covers and Hat Styles of Air Assault Troops and Their Counterparts on the Battlefield- The hats or "covers" Airborne soldiers and helicopter pilots wear also signify their unique status. The red beret worn by an airborne soldier signifies he's airborne, while the distinct Stetson hat worn by a Vietnam War-era helicopter pilot would have indicated he was part of an Air Cavalry Unit.
3. A Classic, Quintessential Piece of US Army, American and World History - Perhaps one of the best choices you could make to customize your own challenge coin design is to feature Operation Overlord, or the Battle of Normandy which occurred on June 6, 1944, also known by historians as D-Day.
The 101st Airborne Division was given the task of clearing the way for the seaborne assault by seizing the western exits of four causeways that crossed marshy areas just inland from Utah Beach and then organizing the southern flank of the beachhead. 2 million Allied troops crossed the English Channel and invaded to eventually liberate Europe, and win World War II.
Strong visuals of some of the most iconic moments in human history are without a doubt the best design choices you can make when you order the best custom designed challenge coins.
Custom 101st Airborne and Fort Campbell Challenge Coins That Would Make Any Soldier, or Civilian, Proud
Fort Campbell is home to many support units that show up to work every day of the week to promote the war-fighting ability of the US Army. From the family unit to the Base Exchange, everyone who works for a civilian department can feel the pride knowing that they make freedom possible as well.
Shouldn’t your team get the very best challenge coins available?
U.S. DOD Coins offers the following customization options for your coin order:
- 3D Coin Design and the Use of 3D Graphics-- Using three-dimensional graphics to create your design so that it "stands out" from the coin's surface is a great way to make it more distinctive.
- Sequential Numbering-- Providing each coin with its own unique sequence number adds a personal touch to your purchase, especially when no two numbers are ever repeated.
- Edge Numbering-- If there is no natural spot for sequential numbering on your coin's design, consider putting it on the edge of the coins.
- Glow in the Dark -- Our special glow-in-the-dark enamel makes locating your custom challenge coin in low light easy.
Designing Your Own Personalized Challenge Coins
Follow these easy steps to create your own custom coin:
Gather your elements, files and ideas and send them to us via a quote request.
From 24 to 48 hours you will get a quote along with a digital proof.
Order to start production or request revisions. Revisions are unlimited.
The US Army Air Assault Soldier: First In, Last Out
With a reputation as one of the most courageous of all US Army troops, the 101st Airborne Air Assault and 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment remain two of the most elite and widely utilized forces in war. And considering their successes in the face of danger in their relatively short history, it’s easy to see why they are some of the biggest proponents of carrying around a challenge coin– especially near a base bar!
U.S. DOD Coins can design and produce a custom Ft. Campbell challenge coin for you today! And with super-fast design times and turnaround, your order will show up at your door faster than you can yell “mail call!”
Let U.S.DOD Coins Bring Your Custom Coin Idea to Life
Challenge Coin Design Template
-01-1.png?width=280&height=362&name=0_-_Customer_Design_Template%20(3)-01-1.png "0_-_Customer_challenge_coin_Design_Template (3)-01-1")
THE EVOLUTION OF CHALLENGE COIN AWARDS
Eight years ago, the Challenge Coin industry had what we call a recipe for designing challenge coins. Round, flat, and empty.
This type of Challenge Coin is a classic, and it still being used nowadays, But people were somewhat asking for a little more spice, uniqueness, and bold designs.
That's when clients started to bring more complex ideas. Instead of refusing to take on the project as most other companies did, we embraced the challenge. We began to increase difficulty and detail to coins; we started experimenting and bringing expectations to whole new level. Some worked; some didn't.
In the end, what was the client's reaction to their finished project?
The response was so positive that a new wave of high quality and detailed coin requests came flooding into the company! Word got spread about the high-quality and unique designs spread across all militaries throughout the world.
WE HAVE EVEN MORE BENEFITS FOR YOU:
WHY TODAY IS THE DAY TO START:
It takes a lot of effort, longer production time, and hard design to make these unique coins possible, so the list of clients can get full from time to time.
If you are planning to take your coin to the next level, Fill a quote here
Remember to send us as much information about your project as possible. This helps the design process.
Request or start your project and reserve your spot on the art queue today!