On February 1, 1963, after Defense Secretary Robert McNamara authorized an expansion of the Army, from 960,000 to 975,000 to accommodate the building of the air assault formation from scratch. The 11th Air Assault Division (Test) was formed at Fort Benning, Ga., the training area site for many soldiers of the original division. Originally 3,800 personnel and 175 aircraft were authorized.

During its brief, two year tenure, the division conducted studies developing the concept of helicopters and the use of air mobility. When tests were completed, the division was once again deactivated on July 1, 1965, when 11th Air Assault Division (Test) was re-flagged as the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). 27 days later, President Lyden B. Johnson ordered the Airmobile division to Vietnam.

The 511th Infantry was part of HHC, 1st Brigade, 11th Air Assault Division (Test):

  • 1st Battalion (Airborne), 188th Infantry
  • 1st Battalion (Airborne), 511th Infantry
  • 1st battalion (Airborne), 187th Infantry

Commander: -