The lineage and honors of the 52nd Combat Aviation Battalion date back to 1 June 1940, when it was constituted as the 204th Quartermaster Battalion. Reorganized and redesignated several times during the years, it was first associated with the present aviation mission on 13 October 1955 when it was designated the 52nd Transportation Battalion (Helicopter). On 22 December 1962 the unit was reorganized and redesignated the 52nd Avaiton Battalion and subsequently the 52nd Combat Aviation Battalion.

  During World War II, the Battalion participated in several campaigns including the Salerno Beach Landing. It participated in all the Korean War campaigns. During this period a member of the 52 Battalion, LTC John U. Page, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for gallantry in action near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. LTC Page who was killed in action on 11 December 1950, was also awarded the Navy Cross.

  The 52nd Aviation Battalion deployed from Fort Ord, California to its present location, Pleiku, RVN, in February 1963. Its present base is Camp Hollway, named in honor of WO1 Charles Holloway, a member of the Battalion who was killed in action , 22 December 1962. Initially the Battalion provided aviation support to the II Corps Highlands, with emphasis on support of MACV advisors, ARVN and CIDG forces. With the escalation of the Vietnam War in 1965, the 4th Infantry Division and the 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division were deployed in the Central Highlands, and since their arrival have received the majority of the 52nd Battalion's aviation assets. The 52nd has participated in all of the major operations conducted in the II Corps Higlanda area, including the battle of Plei Me, Du Co, and the Ira Drang Valley campaign. The unit was awarded the Valorous Unit Citation for heroric actions in the battle of Plei Me. During the fall of 1965, the 52nd Battalion has set innumerable flying and maintenance records and has performed every concievable type of aviation mission.

  It's mission is to provide support to U.S. Forces, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces and Free World Forces operating in the II Corps area with priority to the 4th Infantry Division. On 1 February 1967, the 52nd Combat Aviation Battalion was officially designated the "Flying Dragons".

  In 1968 the Battalion participated in the operations at Dak To and Ben Het.

  In 1969 they provided the major aviation support at Dak To again, Bu Prang, and Ben Het. In 1970 the unit stopped and broke the NVA seige at Dak Seang, then spearheaded the northeastern Cambodian operation.