North Carolina National Guard

The 449th Tactical Aviation Brigrade (449 TAB), North Carolina Army National Guard, began in 1986 as an Aviation Group Headquarters in Kinston associated with the 18th Airborne Corps, then the 11th Aviation Regiment under 5th Corps. The aviators served in Bosnia whilst domestic service includes hurricanes Fran, Floyd, and Katrina. Additionally the 449th provided both personnel and equipment to Operation Jump Start on the southwest border.

NC HART is the North Carolina Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, a specialized program that combines resources from the North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) to conduct helicopter-based rescues, including swiftwater, high-angle, and wilderness rescues. NCNG provides Black Hawk and Lakota helicopters, while the Highway Patrol provides its own aircraft, and together with civilian first responders and local fire departments, they form a response-ready team for emergencies across the state.

In 2000, the 449th Aviation Group reintegrated into the 18th Airborne Corps as the 18th Aviation Brigade’s lift and assault group headquarters. Re-designated 449th Theater Aviation Brigade in September of 2005 providing command and control of assault assets for the 66th Theater Aviation Command.

The 449th TAB deployed to Iraq in November 2008 and assumed the role of Multi-National Division – Central Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) at Baghdad International Airport. In March of 2009, they gained additional battle space and controlled the largest battle space for any CAB in theater.

As of 2016 North Carolina units under the 449th CAB are;
- 130th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion (ARB)
- Company C and detachments of Company D, Company E and Headquarters 131 Assault Helicopter Battalion
- Detachment 1, Company B, 2-151 Aviation Battalion - Gooses - UH-72
- Detachment 1 Company B, 638 Aviation Support Battalion
- 677th and 430th Engineer Detachments (FFTG)
- 2-130th Airfield Operations Battalion (AOB)