34th Combat Aviation Brigade
Unit Information
The St. Paul-based 34th Combat Aviation Brigade is an Army National Guard unit that supports the 34th Infantry Division and the state of Minnesota by providing aviation capabilities - both UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters - for federal and state missions.
2026 Objectives
The 34th Combat Aviation Brigade remains focused on maintaining readiness, modernizing equipment, and strengthening interoperability. The brigade will deploy one platoon from A Co, 2-147 to participate in Cold Response 26, a multinational cold-weather training event designed to enhance Arctic operational capabilities and joint integration with NATO allies in Norway. The brigade will continue modernization efforts with the fielding of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, and will maintain its role as the National Guard Reaction Force – Reserve, sustaining rapid-response readiness for domestic operations. Finally, the brigade will conduct a field training exercise at Camp Ripley, integrating all subordinate units for the first time since 2022, including its medical evacuation elements from Iowa, to rehearse full mission command and synchronization across aviation and support elements.
2025 Accomplishments
The 34th Combat Aviation Brigade maintained a strong readiness and enhanced mission command capabilities throughout the year. The brigade conducted validation, communication, and command post exercises, to train on mission command systems at brigade and battalion levels. 2nd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment, or 2-147, executed demanding aviation operations and state missions. The battalion maintained readiness across seven companies, enhanced command post operations, and conducted numerous air assaults and multinational training with the Canadian Lake Superior Scottish Regiment. They also supported wildfire response missions, dropping 168,800 gallons of water across 41 flight hours. Chinook crews completed aerial resupply, wet-gap crossings, and disaster relief during Hurricane Helene, transporting essential supplies to isolated areas.
A Forward Support Medical Platoon deployed to Joint Readiness Training Center, at Fort Polk, Louisiana, providing medical evacuation support to 2nd Brigade, 34th Infantry Division. The Battalion was also responsible for air traffic controllers, achieving high marks on the Army Resource Management Survey and controlled 6,248 aircraft movements.
834th Aviation Support Battalion supported federal and state missions while serving as Minnesota’s National Guard Reaction Force - Reserve, and supported wildfire response missions. The Battalion fielded the Terrestrial Transmission Line of Sight Radio communications system to enhance tactical connectivity.
HEADQUARTERS
Address:
206 Airport Road
St. Paul, MN 55107
Telephone:
651-268-8724