Colonel Robert H. Nevins, Jr., commanded three aviation units in succession during the sixties, the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment's Aviation Company and the 4th Armored Division's 504th Aviation Battalion, both in Europe, and the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, in Vietnam.

When he returned from Vietnam in 1968, Colonel Nevins was assigned to the Armor School at Fort Knox as chief of the Battalion-Brigade Division. While on that assignment, he translated his personal knowledge, experience, and expertise in Army Aviation in general, and air cavalry in particular, into several courses of instruction for the school's students.

In 1970, after a second tour as commander of the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, Colonel Nevins was selected to organize and command in combat the 9th Air Cavalry Brigade (Provisional).

Then in 1972, he was named the second commander of the Army's first formal air cavalry combat brigade, in the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas.

Throughout his aviation career he was a prime contributor to the art of air cavalry and instrumental in the advancement of doctrine, tactics and techniques to be used on the battlefield of the future. Colonel Nevins retired from active duty at Fort Hood, TX, August 1975.