Eagle Flight Det

After the 1983 terrorist bombings of the US Embassy and US Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, the US State Department established the Beirut Air Bridge (B.A.B.) mission, which provided helicopter transportation and airborne logistical support from the island of Cyprus directly to the US Embassy compound in Beirut. The mission was created to provide safe passage of Diplomats, US government personnel, and others into and out of war-torn Beirut.

The mission ran from 1984-1998 during extremely critical times of conflict in the Middle East. Those who flew the mission were truly highly motivated to accomplish the mission, and in many cases, it was a highlight of their military aviation career.  Conducting a real-life mission as opposed to just “training” missions is always a rewarding experience, and the B.A.B. mission was just that.

The challenge coin and t-shirt are intended to pay tribute to all the aircrews that flew and supported the Beirut Air Bridge mission during its tenure. The design is based on an original “esprit de corps” t-shirt created by crewmembers of H Company, 3rd Aviation Regiment at Giebelstadt Army Airfield back in November 1990, just prior to the 1st Gulf War. The design has been updated to reflect a commemorative plaque at the US Embassy in Beirut that thanks all the aircrews that supported the mission. Additionally, it honors the four crew members who, unfortunately, paid the ultimate sacrifice during mission support in 1995. They are represented by four crosses on the “Job Well Done” plaque at the Embassy and on the challenge coin and t-shirt as well. LLTB.