82d Aviation Battalion DUI question

[Page-Hendryx]

I'm fairly certain that this DUI is for the old 82d Aviation Bn (as opposed to the later Regiment / Brigade which uses the same flash and DUI) but I'm curious as to the pale blue lettering on it.  It seems that the "checky" field is darker blue these days and writing is in black.  Can anyone shed light on the pale blue lettering, i.e., exactly how old it is?  I thought that perhaps a reference book might mention it. 

 

I can't get to the maker's mark as it's crimped on the flash.  

[patches]

Well unfortunately the real way to date it is to read the code on it, too bad you can't remove it.

[patches]

The 82nd Aviation Battalion applied to the backs of chairs in the unit Mess Hall in the 60s. Photo from 1969 say. The color is light blue, but the wording looks Black.