The Army is working on a new badge for air defenders. To get it, you shoot down five or more hostile threats in combat.
The details came out on a “pre-decisional” PowerPoint slide that went around social media. An Army official confirmed the badge is in the works.
What the slide says
- Soldiers need five or more “successful hostile engagements in an operational environment.”
- Eligibility could reach back to 2022.
- The proposed design is a gold wreath based on the Army Air Corps “flying ace” history.
- It would be a Group 4 special skill badge. That puts it in the same group as jump wings, freefall wings, air assault, diver and space badges.
What the Army says
Maj. Travis Shaw, an Army spokesman, said the Army is “currently staffing the establishment of a new Air Defense Artillery badge.” He said design, eligibility and guidance are under review and will go out to all commands once final.
The aces so far
- In 2024 a SPC with the 10th Mountain Division got called the “Ace of Syria.” He was an infantryman on his first deployment.
- His sergeant major told him he had five kills and was an ace. He later hit six.
- Three field artillery soldiers also with 10th Mountain shot down 28 drones.
- Sgt. William Taroc got 13. Staff Sgt. Henry Davis and Staff Sgt. Daniel Smith got eight each.
- Their counts add up to 29 against the Army’s total of 28. At the time, nobody said who shared one.
For the bay
- The 2024 aces came from infantry and field artillery, and the new badge has Air Defense Artillery in the name. Who qualifies is under review.
- The slide made it to social media before any official announcement.
- If you shot down drones on a deployment since 2022, get it in writing before S1 asks.
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Cover photo: U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Pablo Chapa, an air missile defense crew chief with Echo Battery, 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, searches for an unmanned aerial system next to an AN/TWQ-1 Avenger during Freedom Shield 26 at Osan Air Base, South Korea, March 11, 2026. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tylir Meyer, via DVIDS (ID 9586473), https://www.dvidshub.net/image/9586473/usaf-and-army-integrate-air-defense-capabilities-during-freedom-shield-26. The appearance of U.S. Department of War (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement.
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Sources
- Patty Nieberg, “Air defense soldiers who shoot down 5 incoming threats could get a new skill badge,” Task & Purpose, Oct. 23, 2026, https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-air-defense-skill-badge/
- Sgt. Emma Scearce, “Soldier named ’Ace of Syria’ for base defense,” DVIDS, March 28, 2024, https://www.dvidshub.net/news/467218/soldier-named-ace-syria-base-defense
- Nicholas Slayton, “10th Mountain Division gets three new aces for drone kills,” Task & Purpose, May 18, 2024, https://taskandpurpose.com/news/10th-mountain-division-aces-drones/
