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confidential

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FROM: Controlling DoD Organization. Assistant Chief of Staff for Force Development [Army], Washington, DC 20310.

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AGO D/A ltr, Oct 1980 13 Oct 1980; AGO D/A ltr, 13

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UNCLASSIFIED,

OFIEO H OF THE ARMY DEPARTMENT DUATGNRL

WASHINGTON. D.C. 20310

Best Available Copy

A
11 June 1970

IN ROF

TO

TEPEDIJ

NTR

Au,)A

(M)

(5 Jun 70)

FOR OT UT 701132

StBJEC[':

S(

Cperational Report - Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry, Period Ending 31 January 1970 (U)

......

SEE DISrRIB'TION

t, Subject report is forwarded for review and evaluation i., accordance with paragraph 4b, AR 525-15. Information of actions -initiated as a result of subject report should be forwarded to ACSFOR OT UT within 90 daxs of receipt of covering letter. 2. Information contained in this report is provided to insure appropriate benefits in the future from lessons learned during current operations and may be adapted for use in developing training material. BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY:

1snci
as

ROBERT E
Clnl

Acting The Adjutant General

DISTRIBL'TION: Commanding Generals L'SContinental Army Command US Army Combat Developments Command Cormmandants 'US Army War College . US Army Command and General Staff College US Army Armor School US Army Aviation School US Army Engineer School US Army Field Artillery School US Army Infantry School US Army Ordnance School US Army Transportation School. Copies furnished: Office, Chief of Staff, US Army Deputy Chiefs of Staff

." " ,! ':

L 1"',

..

Regraded unclassified when separated frcm classified inclosure,

b05 8315 O 3

UNCLASSIFIED,'

rinlii I

UNCLASSIFIED,

* *

DISTRIBUTION (Cont'd) Chief of Research and Developme~nt Assistant Chiefs of Staff Chief of Engineers Coimmanding General* III Corps Deputy Chief of Staff, Air Force, Plans & Operations Commnandant of the Marine Corps USAF Air Ground'Operations School The Air University Library Defense Documentation Center USAF Project RAND Commnanding Officers US Army Limi-ted War Laboratory US Army Logistics, Doctrine Systems & Readiness Agency US Army Mobility Equipment Research & Development Center 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry

UNCLASSIFIED,

UNCLASSIFIED,

DEPARTfMENT W, .FADI IARTERS 7TrH SQUADRON 17T", CAVALRY

APO SAN FRANCiSCO AVIACB-GC SUBJECT:

9(262

10 Februcry 1970 Operatiowml Zepoit - Les:ons Learnefl, 7th Souo rcn, l7t5 Cavalry, Period Ending 31 January, RCS CS FOR-65 (R2) (U)

SEE DISTRIBUTION

1.

(C)Section 1, Operations: Significvnt Activities:

(C) 2.
(1) This report covers the period from I November 1969 through 31 Jnuary 1970, nnd is mtbmittecl in accordance -ith AR 525-15, USARV Regulation 525-15, and 17th Aviation Group (Combat) Regulatio' 525-15-

,rl

(2) Mssion. To perfrm reconnaissance, survaillpnce and securitj Zor Free World Forces in the Ii Corps Tactical Zone. To eigage in conh-t as an econoy of force unit ond provJi-e limited anti-tink de.'e:1se. One or more of the uti'tts may be placed in supmrt of a .major ground tnit. (3) Organization Stucture. The Headqu.rters, 7tb Squadron, 17th Cnvr!y DRAG0O N T''jJN, Republic of Vietrn.,, r-n 3), i k fM3$ is located at =4. is coskained by Licuto-'ia" Cc Ionel George S. l4u'-ry. The Squadron has its fun complement Of cavniry tr-,ops ns per NTOE 17-9,q. The Squadron is currently assigned Operationzil Control (ni.nus Troop C) to the t tl Infantry Division, CA1-.P Republic cf Vietnam. Troop C is assigned Opcraticrnl EAiI, 1!9.GN .OUNTA.T, Control, to thc 173d Airborne Brigade. (See Inclosure 1 for a list of subor.irz'te units reflecting- ta org-anizational structure). (4)Tactical Postures During the reporting ocriod there vcre several c'angk~cs in the tActical posture of the Squadron. Troop D wi!'ich hid been with Tr'o-" in support of TASk7 -fCCE 'i,..R, in the A!T I TUHUT/E3U PRANG area, rcturnL2 tc CAMP ETTARI on 13 Novom;:er. Troop B returned from tJ e .iAN HE THOUT area on 30 3 December. Trc p A vrh!ch had been at AN iM in su>,?ort of the Ist rigndo,, 4th Infantry Division returned to Squadron at CAMP E,.LAR on 8 December. K CCiPANY (FANGER) ef the 75th Im;:antry, 4th Infantry Division, became OPCOIN to the Sqw.,'r-n on 16 December. Tron.p C remined at LIM, AMY A..,"...LD vicinity of All SON 1-n support of the 173d Airborne Brigsde. b. (C)Pirsonnol. !njcr chnges in ccumnnd 'ir,.

(1) During the repcrting period the follln:.

stiff positicnn ccculoed:

FOR OT UT 701132 Inclosure

GROUP 3 DOWNGRADED AT 12 YEAR INTERVALS NOT AUTOMATICALLY DECLASSIFIED DOD DIR 5200.10

DOWNGRADED TO GROUP 4 WHEN SEPAR\TED FROM GROUP 3 INCLOSURE

U.N CIASS1V I

, I: IE D 1"

VNcL, S
AVBA'ZB-GC 10 February 1970

SUBJECT: Operation Reptrt -Lessons Learned$ 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Period Ending 31 January 1970,,RCS CS FCR-65 (R2) (U) (a) KAJ lamea S. Hahn 316-36-6528 assumed command of Troop C on 2 Jan 1970, replacing MAJ Joeeph A. Tobin.

S-3
A

(b) MAJ Leighton 0. Haseigrove 267--00-9958 assumed duties as Squadron on .1 Nov 1969, replacing CPT Robert Do McCleary 358-22-3157.

(c) CPT Clyde A. Hennis 526 -0- 4 866 assumed command of Headquarters Troop on 14 Nov 1969, replacing CPT.Samuel E. Begley 403-60-8985. (d) CPT David E. Huckriede

513-48-1008

ass'imed duties as S-1 on 12 Dec

-'1969, replacing CPT Vincent J. Falconia

076-30-5749.

(o) CPT Paul T. Pennington 24.4-2-1598 assumed duties as S.-2 on 1969, replacing CPT Henry G, Wall 266-7i4-lLS8.

14~ Dec

(f) cPT Jemf's V. Roberts 320-3hz-7787. nesumcrd-ftties as, Squadron Safety Officer on I%Dee 1969, replncizig CPT Randell Lamsey. (g) IWOl Roy H. Majors Z2-66-0193 assumed duties as replacing CW2 Alan M. Enochs,0 448-48-5762. (2)

S5on

2i4 Dec' 1969,

The following are personnel occupying major command and staff'positionss (a) Squadron Cazesnder (b) Squadron Executive Officer (a) S-1 (d) S-2 (e) 3-3 (f) 3.kCPT (g) 5
-

LTC George S. Maurry MAJ Robert L. Rackloy CPT David E. Huckriodo CPT Paul T. Pennington MAJ Leighton 0. Haselgrove Jimmie A. Yerger VO Roy H. Majors

(hi) Chaplain (1) Safety Officer *(j) M~aintenance Officer (k) Signal Officer (1) Flight Surgeon (mn)CO, HHlT (n) CO, A Troop (o) CO* B Troop

MAM Tracey A. Maness CPT James F. Roberts CPT SteventL. White CPT Guy W, Fussell CPT Joseph P. Choflack Jr CPT Clyde A. Homis MMJ Ronald' 0. Maxon MAJ Billy J. Bowling

UNCLASSIFIED,'

CONFIDENTIAL ,b
AV13ACB-GC SUBJECT: Opratiunnl Rvport
(p) CO, C Troop (q) CO, D Troop (r) Squadron SGM (3) c.

y
10 Febraury 1970 Cavalry

- Lusson Lrairnud, 7th Squadron, 17th Period Ending 31 January 1970, RcS CS F(t-65 (R2) (U)

MAJ Jamus S. Hahn CPT Kenneth G. Lininger CSM Robert M. Couch

Unit atrength and miscellaneous related data is attqched to inclosure 1. (C) Intelligence.

(1) During the reporting period the S-2 Section activities includuds SECRET Clearances Validated - 56 SECRET Clearances Granted - 13 SECRET Clearances Initiated - 15 CCNFITlENTIJA Clearances Granted - 2 TOP SECRET Clearances Validated - 7 TOP SECRET Clearances Initiated - 4 Security Debriefings - 85 Escape and Evasion Debriofings - 3 (2) Intelligence Summary for the Squadron's tactical area of interest is ao foll owsI (a) K0UTUN Province: Enemy activity in KO1MTM Province was primarily characterized by frequent attacks by fire on US and ARVN bases in the KONTNM City and D:'K TO-BEN HET areas. Enemy elements employed 6 0n and 82rm mortars, B-40 and 122mm rockets during stand off attacks on BEN HET CIfG Camp during the first two weeks of November. These standoff attacks were a continuation of an increase in enemy activity which began in mid-October. On 13 November an element of the 4th Mobile Strike Force operating to the north of BEI HET CIDG Camp received 30 rounds of mortar fire. On 14 November the same friendly unit's perimeter was probed by a reinforced NVA Company. This contact resulted in 24 NVA KIA. Elements of the 28th NA Regiment that were not employed ir the DUC LAP area were possibly the enemy force involved in contacts in the BEN HET area. A POW captured during an attemped Sapper raid on DAK TO District Headquarters in early November confirmed the presence of the K-20 Sapper Balf_o.n in -the area. DAK TO District Headquarters and the 4-42 ARVN Regt CP in the same area received several standoff attacks throughout November. The 304th Local Force VC Battalion continued harrassing attacks on hamlets and along b4 .ghway 14 in the DAK TO-TAN CANl area. AK TO airstrip received a standoff attack consisting of 1Omm mortar and 75aqm ree illess rifle on 2b'Novmbe. Zlemc its or the 4Oth Artillery P1t, wero believedto havi been responzible for this attadkt 8poradic mining incidents continued along QL 14 bnd route 512 throughout Novcmocr There was ;L slight decrease in enemy activity noted in KON TUN Province in early December. An element of the 14th ARVN Cavalry engaged a two company size enemy element on 6 December while conducting security missions along rotte 512. The DAK PEK area was the scene of increased enemy activity during December. The 8Oth NVA Battalio was identified northwest of DAK PEK CIDO Camp. Documents captured by ARVN forces in the TXJ MORONG Valley indicated presence of the KCO TUM Provincial unit in the areb.. KONTUH City recdeved 19 rounds of 122mm rocket fire on 22 December. A few hamlets near KONTUM City recievod harrassing attacks during this same period. During late December and early. January enemy activi t'- decreased signifi-

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL
AV3ACB-GC SUBJECT: Operational Report
-

10 Lessons Learned, 7th Squadron

February 1970 17th Cavalry

Period Ending 31 January 1970, RCS CS FOR-65 (R2) (U) cantly. Stancoff attacks were resumed against allied installations and firobasos as the second week of January approached.. Enemy activity increased significantly the vicinity of KONTUM City and DAK PEK. On 7 January the 24th STZ Headquarters ,. reoctved an 82nm mortar attack, and on the following day KONTUM Airfield receiv se7et.l 122mm rockets. A US firebase north of KCIJTUM.City rucioved a light attac.

by fire from an enemy element that employed 6Dram mortars. fAK PEK CIDO Camp re e. ived several attacks by fire during January. Cn 10 January an element from DAK
PEK CIDG Caro made contact with an NIA 'Company. Friendly Forces accounted for 25

NVA. Element of the 304th Local Force Battalion and the K-20 Sapper Battalicn continued their harrassing attacks in the vicinity of DAK TO District Headquarters
at a moderate pace during January. (b) PLDCTJ Province- Interdiction of lines of communications and disruption of the GN Pacification .rogrom were the major aims of enemy elements in PLEIKU ProvInce. Rarrassing attacks by fire, limitedground probes and mining were the primary methods employed by enemy elements to accomplish their mission.

Supply convoys, friendly installations, RF/PF Hamlets and friendly units ccnducting patrols were the prime targets for enemy activity. Enepy Activity in PLEl1U Province was highlighted by a six-hour Sapper attack on LZ St. GEORGE (AR855144) on 6 November. This attack resulted in 41 enemy killed in action. Several weapons and satchel charges were captured. The defending element sustained moderate casualties. The intorrcgation of enemy POWS and returnee personnel revealed that the 4Oth Sapper Battalion and the H-15 Local Force Battalion participated in the attack. Throughout November the 24th NVA Regiment initiated contacts on villages,

dmlitary installations and friendly ground forces in the PLEI MONG Area. The 6th Battalion, 24th NVA Regiment concentrated their attention on interdicting highway 14 between PLIlU and K014TUM. Elements of thisbattalion sustained heavy casualties on 8 November when they engaged an ARVN Cavalry Unit . to the east of PLEI K/CNG
near Highway 14. The 95B Regiment remained active throughout the period in the MANG YANG and ?XI AYUN river area. This unit's main effort was directed toward interdicting Highway 19. Local VU forces targeted their activities on villages and hamlets participating in the GVN pacification and resettlement program. Their primary missiom were to procure supplies and propagandize to turn the villages against the G'I Adlinistraticn. Where these goals failed, they employed harraclinr attacks, forced eer .tui kidnappings and assassinations tc impress their will on villagers. The enem7's effort to strategically locate restpply caches was foiled -on several occasions. Several large rice caches and weapons caches were found by friendly forces operating in the south central region of THANH AN District and the DA3 AYUI river area. Several agent reports indicated that PLEIKU Prc-vinco would experience a highpoint in enemy activity during December to possibly last until the TET hclilay period. Thin highpcint has not yet been encountered. Captured documents and visual sightings of training, areas indicate that enemy forces have begun to rely on sappcr tactics to minimize thpir casualties. More recently, agent reports have ine'icated* that a significant increase in enemy activity is planned for the TFT holiday period. PLEIKU City and military installations in the -'rca have been mentioned as prominent targets for enemy activity rn-ing this period. (c) ftLC Province: Disruption of the G1 pacification effort was the primary o.bjective of enemy activity throughout the reporting period. Harrassinj standoff attricks and ground probes were employed against hamlets in BAN I-MTHOM an BUN HO Districts that contained Regional Forces and Popular Forces Pacificaticn Teams. VC propaga'a lectures were given to villagers throughout the Prcvircc.

CONFIDENTIAL

AVBgB-CO SUBJECT:

CONFIDENTIAL

16 Yebruary 1970

Operational i(ce (rt - Lf osono Learned, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Period Enklinf 31 Jan uziry 1970, RCS CS FOR (R2) (U)

The prijaary aim of the enemy's propaganda car1wpaign was to discredit the GVN administration Lnd the US Arned Forces. DtddAC province experiencud relatively lij t cney activity due to the shift of emphasis to the DUC LAP/BU PRji0G a't a during this period. Harnssing attacks in the vicinity of BAN IM THOUT City were the most signifi- ant nxmy activities in iovembcr. On 16 Novueber BAJ IS THOUT City Airfield an.I the 23rd 1J 1V Division Headquartcrs rucier, d simultaneous attacks by ground fire. inor attacks against the outlying hamlets of BUON D,'JIG and BU(I D'101 occured in early "'ovember. During Deceiradxr, US elements operating south of BV! IS THOUT. City f, wd 3 sizable caches of arms and nunitiunb. A.PW captured in the samc area on 25 December was identified as a member of tho K394 NVLArtillery Battalion. He stated that the C-3 Company, K394 INA Battalion was cast of W11 11E TIVUT City. The units missi rn was to transport rice to MJH ROA Pi-ovince. sveral sniping incidents were reported during December. Enemy activity i creasc( . (ra in the Province during January. Major ARVN elements that ruturned to tho probably providcd a more lorative target for enemj elements to furthe.r th ir astivitics designed to discmdit the GVN administration anr its ar.d forces, J Enemy Llements conducted a sapper attack against an ARVN legLmental CP 10 kilometers north of Bll 11 T}VUT City on 6 January. This att-ck rusulted in 9 friendly KIA,' 20 frindly IL and 6 enemy KIA. Elements of the 4 Olst Local Force Sppper Battalion and the E301 Loc:,l force Battalion probably participated in this attack. These units constantly operate in the vicinity of the MWAL Plantation. The 303rd Local Force Battalion is another major enery oleent operating in the vicinity of BAN IE T2 )UT. Enemy propagandizing and proselyting activities increased during late January as the TET puriod approached. (d) QU;AG DUC Province: QUIAG DUC Province was the scene of interne enemy activity durin[. November and early December. Intense shulling forced the abandoninG of Firebase KMTE (YU573538) on 1 November. Firebases SUSIX (YU518439) and AN UE (YU483513) were closed the following day due to the intensification of enemy activity in the BU P;JNG area. Aftor all major firobases between DUCoL' CIDG Camp anl BU PRANG CIDG Ca:mp had b-en abandoned enemy forces concentrated thc.ir efforts on the two CIDG Camps and bases of supporting ARVN Units. Alnzost daily allied bases in the DUC LAP/BU PIL010 nrca ri-cicvod signific:nt standoff attacks from onen" elements-employing an assortment of mortar, rocket and, in some cases, artillery fire. Elements of the 66th 1VA Battalicn suaported by the K-33 Battalin, li0th ITVA Artillery Regiment and C-21 Company, K-37 SapeLr Battalion were 11rimarily responsible for stand'off attacks and ground attacks ngainst BU PRIIOG CIDG thmp ,r I'.RVN forces cperating in the vicinity. Much of the artillery fired on BU PROG CIG Camp and Firebase &TE cam from positions inside the C.JXBODI10 border. Enemy forces operating in the DUC La/BU PRNG rca sustained heavy casualtius with the support of Tactical Air Strikes ani Artillery to eliminate the active throat of enuWy forces in the area. Friendly casualties were relatively light during sost of the contacts with the enemy forces in the area. DUC LUP CIDG Camp and neighboring bases received 107mm and 122rn rockets, assorted mrtars, limited ground probes. The 28th IIVA Regiment and the K-39h NVA Arttllery Battalion supported by elements cf the K-37 Sapper Battalion and the' 4Oth NVA Artillery Regiment were primarily respcnsible for att-.cks in the )UC LAP area. Intiaircraft

CONFIDENTIAL

l'i,

CONFIDENTIAL
.' ,,P.CI:q .lo rebruary 1970. "SUBJECT: Opwraticnal Rcp. rt -Lesscns L(uarncl, 7th Squndrcn, 17th Cavalry iticd aif'ing 31 January 1970, RS CS i'OlR-65 (R2) (U)

units supocrtin:T enemy eiemunts in the DUC LP/13U PLUG area employed a hi"ghly furmidabl3 netiw.rk ef antiaircraft positikxn to intur;!ict arial support of frion* dly ferces ope.rating in tho area. Several aircraft suni erting operations in thu area recievvd hits from 12.7mm and smaller caliber ene my weaTons. One ,f hce more significant ground to air fire incidents oecurvoO on 2 November. Three aircraft from B Trocp, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavnlry were shut tlcwn while ccnrluctin! visual reconnaissancein the vicinity of Fircbase HELF1! (YU801635). Shelling attacks ane " rcund attacks reached a peak in the later part of November, Due to the effective-: ness of friendly operations in the areae, enemy forces lost their capability tc sustain themselves in repeated contacts. As Deccmber passed enovr activity rraduafly subsice!. to the pcint of negligible contacts. Main force units withdrew to bAe areas inalde the Cambe!ian Border. Since that time most of the major units involvcd in enemy activities in QUANG DUC Province were roptrted moving north towrd FLEI M Province and the Tri-Bcrder area. Although the emphasis of attacks were in the BU MPXAG, DUC TAP area, there were also directed Rttacks against GL'i NGHIii, Pne KIM DUC District Headquarters during the period. Ecept for small ground probes an(I harrassing attacks by fire, enemy activity ims at . very low level during January. (e) BIWH DlE Province: Enemy Troop strenL'th in BINH DIN1H Province increased notably during the period. This increase was caused by the movement of the 3rd N1VA Divisicn from OUANG NGAI Province into BINH DINH Province. The 3rd VA fivisionts major suborr'inate units are the 2nd C Regiment, 300th NVA Artiller.Battalion, and the 200th Antiaircraft rtillery Battalion. The 93rd, 95th andl 97th Battalicnw are the w.neuver elements of the 2nd VC Regiment. HOI C0:1MY!S, prisoners of war, an( . r ocuments gave positive identification of the 3rd N A Divisicn and its subcclinate elements throughout November. The 3rd NVIL Division has mcst ef its elements deploye, in the vicinity of LZ ENGLISH (BS 875010), The 18th 14," Rogimont previously identified in the All KHE area -cntinued its mission of interdicting Highway 19 and disrupting the Pacification Program in that area. The procurement of food supplies wns the major activity of this unit during November for proposed highpcints of activity during November and December. A sapper attack on the firfield at J IKE an Ncvember was the most significant enemy initiated incident chuing the period. Enemy sappers penetrated the perimeter abd destroyad 3.4 hol!cepters and inflicted heavy damage on 2 more. Friendly forces sustained li'xt casualties during this attack. LZ ENCLISH located in the eastern portion of tho province was the prime target for enemy attacks . On 24 January LZ EGLISH (Wr308 57) recieved a standoff mortar attack. Extmination of shell fragments reoealed that CS rbunds bad beta employed. Enemy forces lauched significant standoff att.cks on this area during mid November and January. Enemy elements along Highray 19 bet. ween the Mr,1NO VM Pass and the '1 KHE Pass continued a moderate pace of intor licting Highway 19 and eabatc.ing the POL Pipeline along Highway 19. During the first part of January, aircraft flying Arborne Personnel Detector missions and low levol'. visual reconnaissance encountered claymore mines planted in the trees tc the north west of AN KHE. The 4th Infantry Division lainched operation WAYNE THRUST at the begining of the year to locate and destroy elements of the GIA LAI Provincial VDts which were believed to be in near the western boundary of BINH DINH Province Area and the 18th NVA Regiment which had been operating in Base Area 226 and the 7VNH. THUAN lalley area. 16

CONFIDENTIAL

ABC-CCONFIDENTIAL

10

Fi~brixy 1970

SUBJECT: Opurat5. ;,ivl I1Z.1.rt - L~sons L~nrncf', 7th SolU.'rtfl, 17th Cavnlry I',-riod EntdnL 31 Jantwvry 1970, RCS CS FOR-65 (IZ2) MU Severnl inclmntificntions of elcm.2nts ,f th,. 18th 1Lj1TNQ1t, C-2 Sap-pur Cora~any, and 2nd VJC Regiment h'vw bown obtaint& sinoce thoi strrt of this cppurrtion. Sizuribie a~rms, aimuniti:,ns nd fool wcce have been found! in Baso Area 226 a-nd thcQ V).NH THUAN Valley Aron. d. (0) 0')ornti ns (Opcratif-n;al Statistics nttached as inclosure 2). (1) Units suwi sortce" And maintenAnce st,-r"'.wns by number 'cf clays:t 4~TH INFANTRY DIVISION UNIT
TRP A

let Bde
357

2=1 Rrle

5'r-IdB 20

T1eFigbfor .
--

2 73d Aim Bdo

Other 18

Mfl DOW 2 1011

TRPD B
TRP C
-

7
-

--

11
--

--

7
--

81
-

TRP D

21

12

12

36

10

(2) 4ath Infa ntry Division Operation Su-,.ort.,d: (n)The 4lth Wnantry Divisinn's rzenc-rnl opornt'.-ns plan is 0pcz'utiofl HINES* The mission fir O-.horticn HIME is to c<.,nc~tct sustninecl, coordinAtel -.nd cnstinerl offt;nuivc o rnticans to riestrcy enemy Twin -l loca) forces units, -lestroy or neutrAliZe onomy br.eoc areas, interdict h gh-speedl inftltrti-n rc.ttcs, c n:Thot ricrntions whcrevor ~xzbewith Army Republic of Vietnnm aric Gocvernment n'f VicttnzT agencies to assist in thc protecti--n of urban arons, and to sup-,ort Government of Viotnaim Pacificpation efforts an-1 civil progr.-ms. (b) The Squicron su:.,-orted the 4ath Infirntry Division' s participation in thc Government of Vietimvra Pacification and Doveleorrment Plan for 1969 I(NASHI14TCN 11 M (c) Troop A, during the reporting period ope-.rated in supi)ort of thre 1st arid 2nd Brigndu's et the 4th Infantry Divisicr. in the vicinity (-f AN KHLpthe 3rd! Brigaide in the vicinity of CAMP EN.ARI, and en&ctodl eer-atinns in 7th Soxodrfmn, 17th Cavalry -reps k-f operation Iccated to the northe-ist nnd st.,uthe.'st of 'I1T During the fi-rst three weeks of Nnvember the troop ep,,r-ito1 to the south%-est arJ1 West n f AN KEE in support -~f the let Briprice and occasienaly in sup-,cort v-f the 3rd Brigr.de t. tbw wrnt a-f CAM ElNARI. .DurirV tle last iweck r f cvn nb.r, tho- 3rdl Brign de was swlorted. exclusively. Operationis "WOrc ngainst the-95-B an- 18th rFrth Vtnmriso Arior Kgorimnts. In the w:nth cX Dcocibor the treoon condutdvsa roc*-maissance in the squndrrn' s area of c~errntlsn nnd occasienally in su-%) iort of thc 3re. Brir~acl o t n 'c- wost cf CAMP EN1ARI. In the Mnth -of January the troop sup)-orte'!1 the 2nd Briuade Operation PUTNAM POlW.2 to the ncrthe'nst of AN KHE. Both Opcoratiorw wxro scarcha, *lcpr, and destroy oporat! ons against tht. 3rd North Vietnamese Armyr fivis).on. During the entire three rioenths Trvcxp A vas very successful in locpting the anemy b-se areas, bunker comrlcxen, nnd infiltraticn rcutes. The aoro rifle pL-to n was inserted 35 times to , dIevelop situations -nf! senrch enemy comlaxc,.i. Thri tr----,i ronorted killinrt 58 VCANVA r~i~ the perlod and lrge nusmb(r uf e iciY7 bunkers -ne' structurea vere -Icstroyoci.
.

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL
AV3ACB-GC 10
-

Fobruar 1 1970

SIJDJECTs Opcratiorv'J. Report

Period Ending

31 January 1970, RCS CS FOR-65 (R2) (U)

Lssons ILmrned, 7th Suadron, 17th Cnvrlry

(d) Troop 8 operated in sup ort of TASK FIRC), FIGHTER -tnd Operation Operation VAYNE TH* UST, a SPREAGINS WRITE in tho FPM KE TTHUT t-BtT PRA4G- r. 4th Infantry Division operation, was supported hy tho troop operating in the All KHE area. Opration SPRFEAGNS, WHITE, a 1st Brigade operation was conducted from 11 November 1969 to 29 Decmbe-r 1969 in the same area as TASK FORCE FIGHTER. Troop B's mission of reconnaissance, security and si'rveillance in support of tbe 23rd Division, Army Republic of Vietnam reained the same during both operations. (An after action ruport on the FIGHTER/SPREAGINS WHITE operntion is attached at inclosure 4). The troop returned to-squadron control at the end of December zind in January supportud operation 1.AYN.- THRUST and opcurAtion PUTNAM POWER in the vicinity of AN KH-E ar'ainst the 3d North Vietnamese Army Division and the 18th North Vietnnmesc Regiment. B Troop wag~ MUCCC~db in discovering enemy bnsc; areats, infiltration routes and bunker complexes. The weather during November hampered tho troop' s operations to a large extent.* A large number of enemy bunkers and strucVCA14VA during tures were destroyed by the troop. B Troop reported killing 34t the pcriod. (e) Troo-,) C providcd reconnaissance, security and surveillance for t'oe 1730 Airb~orne Brigide. The 1rigade was engaged in a pacification program in the populatod coastal areas from QUI NHON north to the I Corps border. Troop C targeted its operation ngninst the 3d North Vietnamese Army Division and the 2nd Viet Cong Tlegiment which were believed to be in the mnuntainoius AN LAO VALLEY area and CROWS FOOT area (BR7i480) to the west of the constal plains. During the pcriod weithor hampered thec troop's operation,often denying access to the mountainous enemy base arcas. Th6- troop operated ilong the lower coastal areas n~ainst loc'l force Viet Cong when access to the base areas was not possible. Enemy elements engnged during thle period were usually squad size or smller. Numerous bunker complexes and t~'ncls we~re discovered. C Troop destroyed nemerous structures nad bunkers, c,7pturcd several Viet Cong and North Vietnamese knv soldiers and reported organic firepower,. air strikes and artillery thie troop sevtral kills. %y emnplil was very successful in in p, dieting enemy movement from the mountain-bnse areais to the costal villaoes. (f) Troop D returneU to Squadron at CtITP EMAI on 13 November. It had been OPCON to TASK FORCE FIGM~Ei in the BAN ME THOT/U PRANG area and its mission had ---- been to provide security fdr the DAN 14E THOUT amatnition supply point and to p3ro-vide a ready reaction force for B Troop. (See Inclousure 4, after action report on TAJSK FORCE FIGHT~ER).* From 13 Novembbr to 13 Doebnber the troop ccnducted search and clear missions in the 4th Division TAOR vicinity of CAP MUMAR and convoy security between CAM~ ENARI and CHEC REO in support of the 4th Division. During the remainder of December thf; troop operated principally in the Squaeront s northern assigned area of operations. The principal mission during this period was to conduct search and destroy operations and to be prepared to act as a reaction force for A Troop which was conducting a visual reconnaissance in the same =-ea. 3 Jaruary through 23 January, the troop supported the 4th Infantry Division in the vicinity of 10 K}E. The troop served :As road security between CAM4P RADCLIFF at X1! KHE and FR BASE E!IELIA BR17597. They returned to CtM EbARI on 23 January and conducted several small operations in the CAM(P EHARI TAOR. During the Novembr and December operations several large rice caches were found bir the troo~pe There were negative significant incidents during January. 8

CONFIDENTIAL

zbi

AVEACE-GC SUBJECT: 0Ieruil Perioe1 En Ro.-crt

-Lessons

CONFIDENTIAL
WW, 31 JAnua-ryL1970, RCS CS FOR-65 (U)

10 February 1970

Lenrnec7, 7th Squ~dron, 17th Cavalry

(g) K CoI~n (RANGER) of the 75th, Inftntry, 4th Infantry Division carao under udroperntionol ccmtrol of the Squt.dron on 16 Dcombor. The long range reconnaissance patrols -provo-. to be very valuable to thi. Sq.dron in finding, cbsr1-ring and ambushing VJVA alennts. The long ranr--o roe i-Laissafl patrol teams -1irccK ted the troop elements inte several runumy olcivr.tu. I 'jtuay supportet! the Squz'dlrcn cperat-Ina in its ncrthorn -in, sc:uthcrn )ssigmd AO's in Decemb,. In JanuAry the cc.Lniny was employed in a screening~ rclo fcr the 4th Infnntry Divisicon's oporati:'ns in -he vicinity of 'AN KHE. The elemexnt was mmde OPCCN to the let anti 2nd~ BrigadOe, 4th Infpmtry Division on 23 January. e. (U) O!rztn f. MU Training No chanre since last ORLI

(1) The Army Aviation Refresher Training School Progrom! the mintenance progrn of the tiqu-dron continues to be gn.atly enh,-.nced AS n result .f refresher traiming provic'ed by these courses* (Inclosure 3) (2) Aviation Training: (Inclosure 3) (3) Special Training (n) One individual ccR-)leteci the Jungle Enviorrnmental Surv5.vr~l Training; Cource in the 2hillippine Islands. (b) One incdividiiiI completed the PACAF Life Support Schoci- at Okinava. g. (C) Logisc (1) Sum.lies: (a) Cl-ass I for squadrxon elements at Q-M M'L were Iravn from the 4th Infantry Division at 114 IM, rations for Troops A, B and D iuoro driwn from the 1st Loistical Command Logistical at BON ME TIIOUT-EAS pric'r to their return tc bnse camp and C Troop draw their rations from the Logistical Commend at AN SON.
-Rations

th rh eorqiii-iA Packaged POL -'~ut (b) Class II the 88th SupIl and Service Battalion and issued by S-4 to the troops. POL proeucts for A Trot-p wore sir lied by the 1st Bripgade, 4th Infantry Division -it AIT ME, the requirements for C Tro ,,- were suppled by the lat Lofistical Commsand at AN SOIN and those for B -n'D Tr-"' 'pa wore si4pied by the 1st Logistical- Commnand Lcgisticna Support Activity n.t MN! M THOtT-East prior to tbeir return to base camp. Wd Class IV PAO by u~nit cosrryjndrs.
-

Construction irns acquired through the local

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL
AWAC" -CC
.1InJk.CT:

10 February 1970 Oprntlonz-l ev-ort - tsrons LeL..rne , 7th Squa('ron, 17th Cavalry Period Lndlinr! 31 January 19,70, F-cS CZ3 F01,65 (P2) (U) (e) Clrr~ V
-

Points

34~0, 31a1 nd unnu'-bvrL&. ASP's 1ocatc, at TMd K. VICUT-LT am'l tWJ NXON.

1.x.wiition was requisitined~ frcrit A,.r.u.-ition tuj~ply

(f) Class VTI - 11aj 'oi end items *,erc requisitionecl from the el'th Su,,1py aml Service "attallon. (2) Requisitions submitted during the quarter: flonexpendable

-3%?
-

Requisitions cipleted Requisitions cancelled Turn-ins

-

6 l

358

(3) A reconciliation of all outstanding requisitions was rnadc with the EUt2 Sun'ly andl Service lattajlion "ach. -onth.
(4i) Report of survey submitted -16

(5) Combat
h.

losses subr~itted

13

(U) Co.m unications;

Fig'nal and 1hessage Center Operatins.

(1) letwral: Djuring this quarter the number of mesrares proccs~ed by the mr.age conter rtr'ained relatively constant. bItt>cuz'h total rne!! ap'es sent out droapmce by approxdz'vtely I400, the total mesrare received increased by approxinatcly the sae. Durin:- this quarter the Squadron Coiinications F1l'toon iraintatined a forward r'etschmcnt, to juul TT and a switch board, at BAM ML Tt CU-Last until 10 Dec 69. Only 1 Jan 70 a forward eleirent as a!rain 0c.-ployed with RT capability, to AN Kul. The trit was still operational at the cne of the quarter. (2) 1.(U) Operational Statisticsi 1atrial. (See inclosure 5)

(1) Aircraft maintcnance sup' art is provieed to thc Squadronytw direct au7pport units as indicated below: Uin4OMATON
FL1LIKU A TROOP, C:U4P LNPXI, PLLMh
KIM,

D1AC~I'

CUTP

MlzR,

LO=-Il DSU, CWJi HOLLWAY, PLIU

604TH DSUT CAMP FOLLOWA'Y, PLUM~ ,

D TRO~OP, CM-7 LI&RPI, PL-.1rT AC, ANI so',; C TROOP, LAN!T

604TH BSUJ C.IK1P HOLlOWaY, FLIKU 79TH DSUS 0UI N11ONI

10

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDFNTIAL
AVBACB-GC 10 February 1970 SUBJECT: Operational Report - Lessons Learned, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry
Period Ending 31 .Janaary 1970, RCS CS F0h-65 (R2) (U) (2) Vehicle maintenacne support is provided by two direct support units as indicated below:

UNITAOC(.TION MIT, C.1J.P ENA'II, PLEIKU A TROOP, CAWlP EW.ARI, PLEIKU B TRCOP, CAIT ENRI, PLEIKU C TROCP, LANE ARMY AIRFIELD, A1N SON D TROOP, C.NT W31l, PLEMKU

DfSULO ATION 62d Maint Bn, 62d Maint Bn, -62d Maint Bn, 5th Mailt Bn, 62d Maint Ba,

CAMP WILSON, CAMP "1ILSCN, CAMP WILSON, QUI NHON CAw WLSON,

PLEIKU PLEIKU PLI'UIKU PLEIKU

(3) Nhen B Troop v-ss located at BAN Y TROUT a portion of the unit's maintenacne eloment was located with the troop to perform unscheduled m-.intenince and light combat damage. All heavy maintenance, was accomplished at CARP FNJRI. The organic and. attached maintenance elements of A Troop moved with the troop when it was deployed from AN KHE to CAMP(4)
inclosure 8. J. (U) Civil Affairs:

Statistics on aircraft strenght and availability is included in

(1) General: Major areas of concentration during the last quarter were live stock development, education, recreation, sanitation, renovation of public buldings and sponscrin, cf social events. (2) Operation and Training Activites:

(a) PLEI POO MGA (AR803366) During the last quarter the Civil Affairs Team gave instruction for proper maintenance and use of the l and M2 carbine to its RF/PF force. A visit was made to a neigboring village (PLEI BROC RONGAL) and 30 childern were persuaded to enroll and attend the PLEI PO MA school. Maximum effort to provide transportation for the children was also undertaken. Another teacher was acquired and'materials are being obtained for adding another room to the school house. . (b) LA SON (AR817376) During the past quarter the Civil Affairs Team had

one girl enrolled in a three monthO W1 for- nursing at PLEIKU PROVINCE Hospital.
(3) Logistics: The Civil Affairs received support from LE TRONG DISTRICT, the Squadron Chaplian, PLEIKU AIR BASE S5, personal resources of team members, PLEIKU Hospital, 4th Iedical Battalion and the 4th Infantry Division G. (4) Civil Affairs: durinr the last quarter. The following is a list of projects completed

(a) Education: Painting of the school houses, resupplying of basic school material ane arrangements for the hiring of another school teacher' Wle accomplished.

CONFIDENTIAL

I l I II

I I I II

CONFIDENTIAL
AVBACB.QC

SUBJJET s Operation Rcport - Lessons Lo'.rned, 7th Squadron 17th Cavalry Poriod Endig 31 January 1970, RCS CS FOR-65 (R21 (U)
(b) Sanitption:

I0 Februnry 1970

(I) Tho S-5 team improved the shcwcr facilities and pzrvidd a place to wmdi clothing. (2) A genoral clean up program w.s ccnductod throughout both villagesp and soap was distributed. (c) Stock Dovolopment: Four cows were recoived from LE TRUOUG District and shelters were distributed.

(d) Recreationi

The team built a play ground at PLEI PO0 hGA,

swmming pool which was a great success. and a temporary e (o) Renovationar The remodeling of two council hcusos, one church and one school house was completed.

(f) Social Events:

The team sponsored two Catholic Youth Convontiqns,

which attended by youths from three different districts and two end of ywr

perties, attnded by gohool chil&.um and their ,p*rents.

(g) Psychological Operationsi distraiuted to the villagors. (h) school. Miscs The team distributed apprexirately 4,000 lbs of food and () provide 2 miles of barbed wire for Perimeter defense. k6 quarter. . (2) Inclosuro 9. Accident 2nbo statistic for this quarter are as attichod at -----.. - ---- (U) Accieent Prevention: (1) The aceident rate per 100,000 flying hours vw 40.8 for this Trv mnportation: Movies were shown and leaflets wore

Transnortation was provided to move the people

to medical facilities, mrkot and alsv to transport children to and from

(3) Accidant Summary for quarter by month, 1. 4Nov 69, B Troop AH-i #68-15047, Pilot CPU abm1&er, Major damgo. pilot experiencod loss of direction control on takooff and aborted. After successfully LnAWAng the Pircr.t, the pilot attvqA to pick the aircraft ip to a hover., the tail turned to the right with the tail rotor striking an engineer stake resulting in major damge. There were no injuries.

2, 20 Nov 69, C Troop, oH-6A #6T-16086, Pilot WOI Biner, Aircraft was totally
destroyed. The pilot experienceda " appmrent antit'-rqm failure while conducting

CONFIDENTIAL
2

CONFIDENTIAL
AV'O.,CB-GC 10 Fe.;rutry 1970

SUZJECT;

Opurati.nal Wport - Lussons L,.r'1nO, 7th S(:'ndron, 17th C-'val1ry (U) Period Ending 31 January 1970, RCS CS 1Y)i,1-65 (2)

a low altitude, low s->.ed visual rcconrnissance.

observer sustinhed serious injurics.

Aircraft went into rApid, 360

Pilot tr s killed nd

degree tumis, crzshud into the trccs ,-nd burned upon) irmnnct.

(b) Decery,,br Four accidents. 4 Dec 69, C Troop, AH-IG #67-15642, ilot 111 hlergen, Fiajor darnae.
The ca ine failed dur-in,, normnl opxration. Thc pilot was on a visual reconnrissnce mission over adverse terrain. He autorotated into a river bed and did "n outstanding job in l.iaiti;g damage to the aircraft. There were no injuricos. 11 Doc 69, 1. Troop, OH-6& #67-16245, Pilot W1 Bierman, hajor c, ihvgce Engine fnilod Ouc to ftcl cx: 1ustion. Pilot used iincorrcct a torotttive procc&dhrcs to ml adequate forced Iinding area. There were no injuries. 26 Dcv 69., C Troop, OH-6A #66-17753, Pilot CPT Hnlby, Miajcr 'jamre. Pilot ,lid not iave .sufficient altitude to recover fromi a low altitude, lew six, speed, dowra'ind turn i-hile performing a visual reconrunnissance. There were no injuries. 30 Dec 69, . Troop, OH-6A 4'67-16250, Pilot CPT Robinson, Aircraft totally destroycd. Aiircr!.ft was flying over gross voight undcr hii 2'srecty 4t1ikeL

"nd gasty wind con('itions.

and crashed into thc trues, (i1 minor injury resulted. (c) Januaryt 1.

Pilot made low altitude, low speed do.?ind turn

There ras no fire. Ti-yo (2)

serious injuries am? one

No Accidents,

(U) Religious Functions.

(1)The Squadron Chaplain, during the q..rter, conducted a total of 15 Sun' 1-y and 7 w.ez2day Protestant services., with a total attendince cf 1,278.
(2) Catholic liass was conducted 12 times with a total attendance of 2"2. (3) Reli,.i:us services were conducted at C'.NP E'LRI, L/dA- AIRFIELD, AN KHE and B! IM T0UT. (4) The 7/17 Cay Chaplain, during thc orartor, made 401 visits to troop

vrcas and contractod 1,106 ineividuals.

hospitals*

The Chaplain visited 37 men in the

(5) The 7/17th Cay Chaplain distributed 4 boxes of used clothing to the

villagers of PL7I PO BTTE, 1|10TIJIA, USA.

1NGO.

The clothing came fro

Rev. James Beadle,

m. (U)Mce.ical Section(i) ]-he medic l secti, n of this sq'.aera'on consists of a flight surgcon,

13

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL
10 Fubruary 1970

SUJECTI

Operatiomil RePort - Lessons Learned, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavnlry Period Edins 31 Jnuary 1970, RCS CSFOR-65 (02) (U)

11 medics and one section scrrennt. A muic is rasigned to each of the zero rifle platoons aie. one to erch of the thm. pl-toons of D Troop. The forward aid sation at I.N iiE THXT-E .ST wns closed on 27 Doc~anber 1969. With the exception

of C Troop, all troop roccive their primary mL0cical care from the Squadron
aid station. C Troop rumains at LA! ATrFIE, aid from the 5h6th Medical Detachnh-nt. L' SCW, and ruc ivo their modiocel

(2) At CtU I. I."-1J,the Squadron aid stition is sup crtod by the 4th ifadIcal Battalion of t-io th Infantry Division, with laboratory, X-ray and mc(lical supplies. (3) ricc'ical Statistics: .
Previous Qtr* Refit. Qtr.

Paticnt visits

765

797

Inrunizations
Vcncral Disease

548
24

1766
52

*altria
Dirrrhea

2
2

0
0

Hoptitis
2. (C) Section 2, Lessons Learned:

Commander's Observations, Evaluations

and Recommendations. a. b. (U) Personnel: None Survival Rations for Air Crewnembers.

(U) Intelligence:

(1) Observations: Two air crewmen of this command were shot down on 2 November, captured and later returned to U.S. control. They pointed out that the intensity of enemy activity in the area in which they were shot down prevented freedom of movement to obtain food during the period. (2) Evaluations: A need existed for a concentrated food that could have been carried on the individual. A long range patrol ration (FSN: 9870-9269222) Zits very easily in pockets of Nomex Flight Uniforms. One man can sustain -. himself several days on one ration of this type. (3) Recommendation: one per air crewmember. That all aviation units obtain this item and issue

(4) Command Action: Long range patrol Rations (FSN: 8970-926-9222) were drawn by the Squadron S4 and issued to the Troop Supply sections for controlled issue to air crewmembers. c. (C) Opcrations: the long range reconnaissance

(l) Operational Control (OPCON) of patrol (LRRP) in the Air Cavalry.

14

CONFIDENTIAL

/
i/

AVBACB-(C
SUBJECT:

CONFIDENTIAL

10

February

Operational Report - Lessons Learned, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Period Ending 31 January 1970, RCS CS FOR-b5 (R2) (U)

(a) Observation: The 7/17 Air Cavalry Squadron working directly with LRRP teams, was able to rapidly react to intelligence infonziation provided by the LRRP teams in order to locate and neutralize detected enemy elements. (b) Evaluation: The Air Cavalry Troop's ability to provide intaedlate visual reconnaissance with observation aircraft, instant and accurate gunship fire and infantry exploitation of contacts is extremely effective in expauidin , the reconnaissance effort of US Forces. (c) Recomnendation: That LRRP teams be placed in an OPCON status t:o the Air Cavalry Squadron if they are operating in the same .area. This will enhance the enemy intelligence gathering and provide quick interdiction and neutralization. Assets for insertions and extractions must be provided from other resources. (d) Command Action: This unit employs this technique when operating in supp'ort of the 4th Inf Div. (2) Effective Employment of Platoon Mortar Squads.

(a) Observation: During troop operations the mortar sections of each of 'the platoons were frequently employed as a battery located at the troop night location while the platoons operated in the AC. (b) Evaluation: The mortar squads were frequently detached from their respective platoons and there was a tendency on the part of the platoon leaders and platoon sergeants to neglect their mortar squads in mattersof training and supervision. The operational efficiency of the mortar sections declined in direct proportion to the amount of time spent detached from the platoons and employed In battery. (c) Recommendations: That commanders and platoon leaders in similar situations be aware of the hazards of employment of mortar squads in this manner, and employ mortar squads with the platoons whenever possible. (d) Command Action: This problem is now given command emphasis. The platoon leaders spend more time training and supervising their mortar crews. This has had effect of raising the morale and efficiency of the 3 mortar squads. One additional action was to emphasize taking the mortars with the various platoons while orerating in the AO rather than leaving them on the unit night location. (3) Disadvantages of Using M-60 Machine Gun in the OH-6A.

(a) Observation: While firing the M-60 Machine gun from the observer's seat of the OH-6A the expended brass has a tendency to fly against the Instrument panel and damage some of the gauges. (b) Evaluation: The expended brass flying against the instrument )anel caused damage to several instrtu.ents. A metal sheet was devised to leflect the expended brass down and away from the instrument panel. The present

15

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL
AV ACS-3C STTJcCT:

10 F4.br-nrr Y'70 Oncrnt; ivl Rcv-Yrt -Luss~ ns Lcnu'., 7t! Squ;-1'rrn, 17th Cnvnlry, P i ';nttL& . Janw-try 1970, Rcs CS ioR-65 (R~2)()

shield un,'zr: o-.si c.,zst.-'nt chans ad i rovcmunts, it hns bl.enf c.ffL c1.vo in iminntint; cnw. e t, thc .rdrcraft instrumc.nt *ml!-. (c) Reco-~iKbicivi ticn: Thit nil units rl')yinp on r;,aurver nrll.0 ith the M-60 mnc.'ine 'Tn in the OH..M&employ n Iefl(.cti(-n abield. (e') Co-annn Action, vithnut a br'-ss deflctor.

~L-

M-60 mnchine ?,iuns re n'ct cnrriud in thc; OH'-(A

(4~)Safe
ing of rmrnxa

Nnit 1JIins; of grcnades. This unit hne hze so-0vursl nstnncc3 rf uisnin rv'.

()O',sorv-tlont a.s

(b) vnl-;tic.n: On one occasion tbiis xnit cxperienced n sit--intion of having a 'White ~hahrsgrennde tcciderntlv 'bton.-tcd while the aircraft wns on the gjrcuncd. (c) Rocoax.n.ticnst All gennec~s slcl'be stcre in P rn fittjai7
cans to insure t%--t i-Jt' V- -'n is .1ccidontly p1.llIor' cr Jar-edt loose, the rr c. handle vill bc iscure' ':v the sift of the can. The form fitting cains shoule be

firmly attac!-ce at approv-riate locttions in the nircrnft.

(e) CoTmane Action:

metal cans unti.l c1 ' nircraft. d.

.a.

All grerr.dcs io being stored in rendy w.rtic for i'we * These cains hovev been properly secured tsiothe NONE

(U) OltlkdTIZATIOlR.

(U) TUDflIG. NONE

Modification of class V basic load for the Air Ctvalry

f. (U) LOGISTICS. Squadron.

(1) OMSiI2RVATION: This squidxon bps experienced ten troop mcvomnrts within the pnst year. Mie of these movemonts woroe of the PC3 t)ype. These m, ocmcnts were oxoolitce, by not having a full basic lopad of class V on hand.e (2) During the past yea tho squadron has succcssfully opernted by rintzininq a modified basic loaf! vf class V, which was coinouted from average dniily cx cnr'itures of n trorp in contact. This nodificiltion ho a enabled the troo'ps a!f t'1n squadron to maintain greAter mobility -.nd to mv'e within the ti.me 1criorl r.floted. The prccess cf turning in the basic loie. and c'raving .W~ther. iith each-mole .requidlfour . &.P trailars pnd.- to. additieala:.:.:
-EVAIPATIONt

days. (3) Rccommondticnst It is recoamxnted that USARV Reg 735-28 be reviewed to reOhice theo nvii-er of rounds per wc :,cn for the Air Cnvailry Sqnndron, to failitnto the Air Mobile Ccncents
Cornnr' Action: The mr-d1ified ba-nie londs were ccnsolicdnted nd mintwnined by the S-4i Section for those trc*'ps lnc;atrd Pat Squadren Hendolirte.

(4)

CONFIDENTIAL

AVBACB-GC

CONFIDENTIAL C E

Febru-ry 1970

SUBJECT Opcrti, n Report -Lss(,ns Lorned 7th Squdro, 17th Cava-It- Period Ending 31 Janu zry 1970, HCS CS FOR-65 (1,2) (U1 The S-4 had the responsibility! tc Insure that the Squadr(.n CLkss V levul was consistant with the mo)difpwiod ba$3ic .od. (Roequest for apprcval Gf the modified basic load has been forwardcd thru .mmand channols). g. (U) COI1HICATIONS, Doplrying a foirm.rd detachment with high frequency conmnini.tions and Tclct$ ,ability impo from the Squadron Ccmmunicati,.ns Platon. (1) Observationst Du the past quarter the Squadron maintained a forward communietion clement for all but 20 days of the period. (2) Evalmitionr Tho faido Teletype equipment at the forward area was oprati,'nal 80%of the timo. The only TO&E equipment available to perform this function
is the VSC-2

centcrs there is no back-up equipment avatlable. . (3) Recomendationst

( Ton mo-unted RTT) and by maintaining two communications

Rcorzend that TCf be changed

required for an extcndod leri~d of time.

to include 142 (3/4 Ton Van iwunted RTT) to be used when forward communication a GRCelement is

(4) Command Acti-ns Co ;rdnmton with 17th GAG Signal and Ist Avn Bdo has been mado and a request for modification to the TOM will be submitted in the near future.
ho (U) MATEPIALt AH-1G Madrn Rotor Hubs

(1) (2)

Observations Evaluationt

Failure of Teflon Bearing in AHIG main rotor hub.

(a) Indcaion of failure has been a binding of the collectivo while bleeding off the accumalator during shut dm.

) TM55-1520-221..2 C5, page dated April 3969, roqLUi that the nrdn rotor hub be removed and inspected 3-10, 300 every hours. This unit has experienced a hiEh failure rate of the teflon bo.wrings prior to the 300 hour inspection. The boarinrs that have failed w as followst Bearing FSN 3120-9820604, PA 540-4M-110-13., Page 370, Figure 80, Item 41., TM 55-1520-221-35P,
Bearing FSN 3120-974-6496,s PM 540-O11-110-9, page 370, Figure 80, Item 55, 5 -152-22-35. *

V;

(c) In an attox-te. to dote e the caus, of the unit has conducted exteaive tests. It has been premature bearing failure, discovered that new boprings received are packed in a corrosive preventive compound in contravention of TM 55-1520O-221-35, Section 1., Chapter 8, Dated April 69. the compound caTnnot be fully removed from the bearing with The test&disclosod that out going through extensive clearing and hatiig process. (3) Recammenditiont A different method be devised for protecting the be.aring from corrosion v;hile in shipment. (4) Con-and Actions CONFIDENTIAL I 17

,/

CONFIDENTIAL
10 February 1970 AVBMCB-GC SITBJRCT Operational Report -Lessons Learned, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry (U) Period Ending 31 January 1970, RCS CS F0-65 (R2) of the problem. (a) have been informed All maintenance personnel within the unit

(b) An ,IR has been submitted on improper packing procedures. EIR's for bearin" deterioration are submitted as failures occur. (c) This unit has coordinated with the 34hth General Suo-ort Group concerning this problem and is now awaiting an answer to the finding of the investigation

1. J.

(11).

M-MICAL,

None None

(U) SAFETY:

9 Incl as Incl 1,2,6,7 and 9 vd, HQ DA

GECRGE S. MURR LTC, AR Commanding

DSTRt'UTICN: 2 CINCTISARPAC, ATTN.

OPP-DT, APO 96558

2 CO, USARV, A7,'N: AHCG-DST, APO 96375 2 CG, let Avn Bele, AT-N: AVBAHC-O, APO 96384 7 CO, 17th AG (Cbt), ATN: AVRACB-SC, APO 96240 DIM POPIFS

CO, 4th Inf Div, ATTN:

1 FAch Crvani& Troop

AVDDH-CG, APO 96262

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL
,M3.C,3-SC (10 K~b 70) 15t IM] SU~.~3'. ~pr.Li~r~ ~Joz' -Ls!sons L_ .rn~d, 7Ith 'qu.dron, C:,.viry, k~riod Liiding 31 J nu-ry, .X(Z CUAi-65 (112) 'th

Wb

M.., H2.D(.UA~Ttb, TO: 1.

17TH .. v'IiIOd OihUUf' (CX'; Lb..'),

-i

6.-40

24 F,.b,-u .r-( 1910 30310

DW\trtin..-t of thCoruuaiading G,,n!r-.,

xmry (..ca'OIL, Uj), Wasuhingr'ton, D.C.

I Fi,;d Forco ViAtnnm, .&PO 96350

(6)_ TishY.dqurt,rs- has1 rc;vic;wd thQ -tt-,%chud itopcrt,. coid.rs

xc.~ %5

it to b,. iluito, and concurs with th,. contints as statud, indic.tudA bulow. 2. (C)

Th.- folloxing co, vnts and ru coijtund -tiuns -r.z sumrittu;d:

(I) Px7'r ph lb(3), Pagc, 3, Inci #2, FursonnulI. ;onconcur . __Thu r.,j..ort,.d fi-urt.s should %gr,;a'withIDS r.~portu d 31 Ja-n 70. Th,; 11)b figur~s for tho 31 of Jan ar.- : OFF-82, t0-120, Ei~i-'197, Totail-999. (Unit strcngth should bo Inclosur,; 2 (igQ 1)).

(2) P~aragraph 1c(2), Q0g lntollig.ncu. This ;nraigra.h should bz. 3, sxrrrizje id lngthy accounts of signpificaint ;norny ictivity b,; attachud to tho Oh as an inclosura.

(3)

iariGra~h Id, Pago 7, Operitions.

(0s-rrational

Statistics at-

tachcd as Inclosurc 2, should r~ad Inclosurj. #3).

(4+)Ftragra% I f(I) h (2), PaQ 9, Training. Thu a-my ,viation h.fru.sh~r Tra-ining School programi ,,.nd .viation Tra.ining listcd Lis Inclosure 3 should rjad Inclosurc #1~,but is Inclosuro #'6.

(5) Pnragraph Id, Pa~gc 9, Combat 0Ora~tion -M~tr taction heport. Entry should bo rmado. for listing thorn as Combat 0rAration .. t~ ..ction fi-orts. (Inclosur-.s ar.. misnurnbcred as Inclosuru s 4 rand 5.)
(6) ratragrap;h 1f, rago 9, Tr:Oning. T'his paragraph should in~icat'. the numbor of dv,'s during the ru;porting period that the3 unit Qnggi i training. ktof..r.nco U&,.ai 1-.-guLatior. 525-15,. FPa 5b(l)(c). (7) 'Pa:r'.gra-,h 1h(2), Page 10, Communication. (s..a InclosurQ 5) should road InclosurQ ,17. Opcrational! St% istics:

(8) Paragraph 1k, Vage3 12,'..ccidcnt _F.vcntion.-This paragra should r :fcx to Inclosurc #9, Safety Statistics for the Puriod. b. Saction 2, L.ssons IAiarnod: ations and Ricor-,iacnd.tions. Coainandorfs Observa tions, Lvalu-

---

19

DOWNGRADE AT 3 YEAR INTERVAS; DECLASSIFI!D AFTER 12 YEARS. 000 01R S200.10

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL
,,Vi..CrD-SC BJ 7th Squ'.drofl, 17th 6 :.nding 31 Janw~ry, I , aCbffL- 5 (xU) (U) Cav,.ry, F..riod c f C1,ss V Bsic Ljoad for (1)r~rgri~hfPi'6, 1.oition rtcrs t-.S not I-l o v c a r qu .st ar l y. 2 Af. Th s dc u v (I) iu (C should o n for aIpprovil of ! modified basic lo~.Rfr~ rottm hul in Fara 5c, oiConi:iandizrs aru nuthoriVod units mission, g~.ogr.Lphition 735-28, for t ho ard/or reduca quantiti s as a,-propriat wq.pability." cii. locition, qrg-.niv~tiofl, and lo.A-carrying
.;xr-%tiOfl. pI jj4vrt
-

(10 .F.b 70)

ist ind

24 F..bru' iy

Ljsvons3 L.'trnA-,

(2)
--

n lhjshu--7 jf~unc3

ij.ttri-{. r..ar.h2h(2)(b), laga 17,piarap

of this

idt~d ..ug 1969.

Thu. TZI 55-15;eO-221'-35F Ttw praIge nuinbi-r for this

IaT rof.;rncc.: i

(3)

4-10.

2h(2)(c), Fagr3 17, Flatriai

Concur. This probl~m is. -ag0 17, Haterial. (4) P-rgah-() Furthi-r r',cormuwnd Group. by BEth's -ind 1Ltcrs to 34th .lw cans. fully documnt,3d pa.ck viculzD 9 tho boarings b-a shippud in dry FOR TWk* C0.UL.JV1-:

lICL it0Bi&4T C. H
.. Gui

CF:

CO, 7/17th ..Ar Cav Sqdn

20

CONFIDENTIAL'i

V.-GC-I..
AL3JJ. 's

(lu F,*b 'IU) 2d Ind

Operationbl R.,port-Lessoiu Learned, 7th Ujumdron, 17th C.valry for Period Endint 5I Jujiu ,ry 1,)70, RC.;, CAK)(-65 (H?) (U) I Field Force Vietnam, ,J j.F.

D^,

Heauquiartera,

96350
;.F.

2 A MAR 1970 96584

Ws), Comnrandind General,

lit ,.viation brigade, Ali)

1. This head ju,rtar' has reviewed td -?valuated s.,bject Up.rational Heport-Lessons Ledrneu and forwtirdi.g indorsement and concurs, eAcept as stated below. 2. Referetice Ouerstional Control of LHRHN, parag-raph 2d(i): Nonconcur. Tue mission of LRRP's should be planned dt a nieher level than alumdron. This has proven sucesaful and placing them under the operati.inal control (CPCUN) if a squadron would greatlv decrease their ability to accomplish their lone-range mission.

CPT, AGC Asst AS

CFI
1 1
-

CO,

17th AVN GP (CBT) (LZi; CRLL) ,CL, 7th Jqdn, 17th CAV (uz ' OF'LL)

I I

I I

I II

i i

XP3.ALC-0 MMU'z;CC'2,

(10 Feb 70) 3d Id QOerationa !lo'ort-Ia:2.-ons 'Loarnel, 7th1 Smndron, 17t), Cawa.&Y for period endine 31 Jun 70, IICS cSIu02-65 (iW) Wu
DA, 13 A'AT~: C~~R~:

:/A],

A'o5

APR 1970
AV!GC-nlGT,

'W!~t

Cormantlin: Gciera3,

United States kz-4' Vi*etn.,, A?1t:

APO 06375 ochrmnder-in-Chief, United 3t'ates .1ztW Pavific, A7?: APO 96550 Tot kA.ic.tat Chief of Staff for Force Thpvelopment, AM, 1.Iashington, D.C. 20310

G. 0P-fl2,

De',nrtnent of -the

1. This headmijatetrs ha Teviewed subject -'rort nl-concurs v4hte-contents and in'lorocents. 2. Thfle fol.ovinC: coritents &'e considlered irertinlent:

a. Parar-rr'ph 2' -. (3), p-- 17, reco-w~ends a. 110A chanv that 'i'uld corw..niOatir~ln ;v0 include aG-tC 1,42 (34ton Van nounto;'Ii to cii -.-o--t
elenents. 1roncincur. Zie require!nent to cix ?ort !

should be m~ct b-* 1^Z0 LL.- loan or an inL-,-con rind-racoi it -or dion 0 iui Yrw~t noclel. -Iiis hc-.dnuntcrs is advisim- u its -of to r-ceot .eidir n el'r=, e to Th0L
ratins ~e;.c,.v'c~r:.tI-onn for' Jowned air cr'c,.r, C .:m'r. heQ.d.uzrtce-z is subvci; orir~atc "'itr, of vdlbiVof~ ni~r .c~xci'cbcr. patrol ration3 or

b.

PxyVh2.1b.,

V1, diacu6.cc thie use of low,- :ii c : 7. trol

:Lon~ ru'

ARI11uR vv. LITTLS

CPT AGL

AM~ AG.

AVGC-DST (10 Feb 70) 4th Ind

SUBJECT:
..

13 APR 1970

Operational Report -Lessons Learned, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry, Period Ending 31 January, RCS CS FOR-65 (R2)(U)

Headquarters, United States Army, Vietnam, AMO San Francisco TO:

96375

Coamiander in Chief, United States Aruay, Pacific, ATTU-. GPOP-DT, APO 96558

1.* This headquarters has reviewed the Operational Report-Lessors Learned for the quarterly period ending 31 January 1970 from Headquarters, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry and concurs with the coinnts of indoruing head-. quarters. 2. Coments follow:

a. Reference Item concerning "Safe Handling of Grenades", page 16, pararaph 2c (4): concur with the recomendation as a technique of safely stowing grenades aboard aircraft. This information will be published in the USARV Aviation Safety Weekly Sumary. b. Reference item concerning "IAH-1IG Main Rotor Hub Teflon Bearings", page 17. paragraph 2h, and paragraphs 2b(2)(3)(4), let Indorsement. As a result of the MIR submaitted by this unit, AVSCOM has disseminated to all 6ommands the procedure for cleaning these bearings. This information will be published in a 34th General Support Group newsletter. PM THE COMMANDR:

CPT,

AGC

Assislont Adjujtont "oneral CY furn: lot Awn Ede 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry

GPOF-DT (10 Feb 70) 5th Ind (U)) for Perl M SUIJECT: operational Report of HiQ, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry 1970, RCS CSFOR-65 (3.2) Ending 31 January uQ, US Army, Pacific, APO San Francisco TO: 96558 2 Afik 70

of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Force Development' Department Army, Washington, D. C. 20310

This headquarters concurs In subject report as Indorsed. FOR THE COMANDER IN CUIE?:

D.D. CLIINS 2LT, AGC at AG

24

CONFIDENTIAL
OPILATIONA,
1. (r')

' AT'rTCS !R TT P111I(0)

Rtnul+3

5CUTD1S

TR(X P

U , I"CC

IA is

S7AUCT',PL

UNIT

'C' Ar

o',,T. 552 1007 353 673

ISTE 872 2300 512 2245

(TCUS)
52

CL.;FTTMCCF
.-

DA,1
-

DMT

OTRP 1526 T7' A TPI B TRP C

P D

9458 3274 6771

1 0 0

34. 58 9

24 31 0

2 0 0
.---

78 72 82
22

-...... ..

TcT:X 21, 029, MrATIh-S 158

2, 590

5, 929

53

101

55

25).

Znerry Vaterial C.-tiured: 11 - SKF Rirles

9 - AiK-47 Ri'le I - AK-50 Ui 'l, (,GOr") 1 - 7.62 L I - Ir "ussia : "istol

Fnemy Material Destroyred:

4 - 60m Mortar Baseplates

2 - !IT Rucksacks 11 - Sampans

6,345

- pounds of rice

400 - pounds of grain

I - T3-40 locket 3 - U.S.

.3 I -A 2 I I

ar'.ncber

I - U.S. '3romin-; imtontic Rifle 1 - U.S. ! -16 'i'lo

.30 Caliber Carbine

V.S f'-79 Grenada Iaunch.r ".q. 11-1 Crbines U.S. 81ram '.'rtar Tube TI.S. ,lP1A1 Ciuvoro Mine B-40 Rounds otond 60m Nrtar

S400 - 1K-47 louncl 2 - F;omewndo Irenades 1 - Radic (type tmienntified) 1.- Gas Exmlosive Igniter ... 38 - ITA Rtcksocks 1 - Chm Meter 1 - !-2 Gunner's Quadrant
2 - Canteens 1 - ?7A 11ess Yit I.- Docuncnt &ouch 10,000 - pounds of rico 2,. (C) Aircraft Lost andDMged: DOWNGRADE AT 3 YEAR IT;YALS;

Inclosuro 3

CONFIDENTIAL

DASSIRED AFTER 12 YEARS

NO DO

200.10

CONFIDENTIAL
AIRCH; FT
TI
_=E

UST
2 ( 1) 1ote

TD\GE
1 3 2

PQ TROOP TROT' A

pI:-ill
(P:$-.

Ui-in
All-10,

6 (dote 2) (oto

2 (Note 3)
4&)

4 2
0

TROCP B

O,-6
tT-IH

2 (Notu 5)
1 (Vote 6)

!111 I_1
TRI~ C Um-IH
.-. One-combit Caziegnon

1 (Note 7)

2
4 1
1 .

4$-Al (Note 8) 1 (Note.9)

1 (Roto 10) e extufnslvo tiitintenince

NC V .2. Four u.-n, cot.bat darxric, Two were crash damage

UCTS 3. Both vero caubat damnge.

NOTEi 4. Three wrc ccnbat damage, Two wore extensive mintenance NOTE 5. Both tr_,ro combat damage. ;x'TC 6. nxtensive 14hintcnance

NMT

7.

Con'at T)-,.
Two were combat damage, W'o %lore cranb daenge. Extensive Mnintcnance Crash Dmzgo lyin, Xcur Statistics for the Period: The averago flyinp hours by type aircraft by troop:

=71T8. NOTZ 9. !.OTM 10. 3. (C) a.

T211T
TCOP A .

o..!-6A
200.8

AH-IG

VR-IH

TRC0P B VocP C
b.

154.3 152.0

._._..206.3

142.6 136.6

197.7 U7 .8

------

170.1

The avera _c flying hours by type aircr. t. 0lT-6A AH-IG M!-IH

189.0
c.

153.6

163.0

lying hours by trocp and by type aircraft: Th.; cmulntivo ..

Inclcauro 3

CONFIDENTIAL
2b

CONFIDENTIAL
IT
HO TRUIP'-TRUL P A T'I.RP 13 TROUP C TOTAL

~6
2008 15103 1520 5071

M'1GK.-U 989
185~7 1586 1183 1361 5119

TOTAL 989
5h145 40o10 4.12 1Z4562

12114
1231 4372

CONFIDENTIAL
Inclocure 3

.27

CONFIDENTIAL
vw'Cv ..

OF T1'

WZI

AiV .Irlh.(

10 F-bruir, 19~70

TIM~t

Co-nandi. 'J1iicer 17th Aviati, ai Gr%1u' (Cc'rnbzit) AmO 9621!0

'Gcrktr,1--------__

--

~~- Commaix 1.i:

lst kvinti. n A2C 963 C41

~~A

A1r 96375 TO%

u.-ite

Cv. udfnt- Gemh.ral

strtus
!4ilitnry

Asistance Co.;tnxl, Victnen

Aile 96222

(.7) 1.M 'Tif

M, (. OrTItA1i 11: 4-111 M M DA 31)! OMM13:11T ASKii AiCE V WHM to of R-orcc/Pacificrnticn, lies ectivoly,

a*

UMii

FUGCS 21'!M

IE: Scopte:1ber 1969

fl 11

vu-ibor 196(?

beb. -'1fJ.Z

if-,:

11 '-vouibor 1969

29 Dccem.iyr 1969
i :;f 111 Ccrvo Tacticnl Z. m

3.
-h.

(u) D.;JaMc

AV '=,

LACjATIO9

11 Cor~s Tactical. Zone; -:rti,

DC AcVil)7

Mi. Z( D
a.

D Ct LIAL

IMA~'16
-as Lrkj(1i.

(verall .

be Misd,.ns 'w'rc lath infantrl' Divisi-ne

initially by TF Y!,- Tra

Latcr by' 1et Dri ac!G

5a

S.A.ud, 17th Cv.VrF.

(U) M;KitTY . G OFP!CS1i -- .C eorge S. Huriry, Cc-fnuwnding Officer, 7th LT Lther 7injor =nit ccm.nclurs. DOWWGAM AT 3 YfAQ IIETRVALS; DECISSWI APTIR 12 YEARS.

XMCLoSQAftE 4

CONFIDENTIAL

//
CONFIDENTIAL
AVRACB-C 10 February 1970 UNIT L'r Ist t8der 4th Inf Div Ist Bde', 4th Tnf Div B .Trp, 7A7 'Cav S3, MLCV TMfl Trp 7/11 Say .. D, i3 Sep - Ii Nov 69 11 Nov - 6 Dee 69 8 Dec - 29 Dec 69 1 Sep - 29 'ec 69 30 iug - 11Nov 69
30 Aug11 Nov 69

.3um cr: Combat Operation After Action Repert

NA2F VC !;S.E:L L JO.! COL JOFSPH E ,C . iI'W COL HOdARD D :OW MAJ BIULY J B04LINJ "W RALPH B!RR
. PT KLUlIr l LINNA 'iR .D

TFI

6.

(U) TASK 0RGV'-!1ATI10:

a. TASK FORCE FDlh"TM: The 7/17 Cavalry (-) consisting of B -nd D Troop were OPCCN. D Troop was rewirned to Squadron contr6l an 11 Novomber 7. (U) SUPORO{'IN3 FORCtZ: Refererce 4th Infantry Division After Action Re.port (RCS: MAJ 3-32 (h-2) to be published, and 1th Infantry Divikion After Action Report (RCS: MACJ 3-32 (R-21) dated 13 Jinuary 1970,

8,

(C)

INTELLIJ;.*CE:

a. Prior to the start bf the operation major VVA maneuver elements associated with thc 9-3 Front had been occuplng sanctuary in the ti-border area DurinR late &*Uly and early August, the location of the 66th Regiment, 28th Regiment and oortions of the Woth Regiment crild not accurately be determined. During August the B-23 Specinl Forces Detachmcnt, BAN ME THOUT and MACV Advisory Te'm at IIA NVHIA had receiv4ed several intelligence reports that.ndivated a major enemy buildup was t kingr place inside the CAMMDLI2f border in the VC LiP/51 P WiJ' area. Recently rvoaired roads were reported al.ng the Dorder northwest of W. PRAN3 by aerial observers reconnoitering the irea. It was estim"ted that as many as 15 000 men believed to be from the 5tn NVA Division were in C,*YMDIA near the II-III CTZ boundary. Positive identification and accirqte strength estimntes of enemy units wcre not obtaiied until after midOctober. When major enemy. elements committed themselves in the BU P'JWG/DUC L.P area they employ'ed heavy shellinas ani vigovous ground probes in an attem t to attain rapid victories in the area. Their Lctions forced the aba-ndonment of several fire basns sunouting the UJC LTP/BU PMUMG area. The enemy was qnable to sustiin himself In reDeated contacts as a result of the hc.ivv toll
of casuilties and equipmpnt losses inflicted by. friendly ground forces with tactical air and artillery supDort. Enemy activity subsided in early December and thp mtjor onemy units withdrew to saietua.ries in CAiMBODIA,

b.

DF~f tINI TDINTIFICATIONS:

(1) K-394 NVA Artillery Battalion, The min body of this unit was identified , so-.th of MUC LAP on 28 October. Their major effort was directed at rattackina al1id bases in the vicinity of DUC L P . This unit had the canability
(2) 28th Regiment: This unit had three Battalions with 380 men each. It

of emloviny grouni and stand off attacks using 82mm mortars and 122 Mm rockets

was identified An 6 November south of 1IJC LAP'in the vicinity of YU7867. The 28th Re.'iment had the support of one anti-aircroft eompanv. DUC LWP CID3 Camp and two i'RAR' Command posts in the vicinity of LUC LAP were the targets of the Rep.iment

&

CONFIDENTIAL

CON FID ENT IAL

AVBDCB-oc

10 Fubruary 1970
Comb-it 0pi-rc'ticn 1,fter Action Report,

SUBJEMr

(3) 66th Rimt nt: The 66th Itegirient was iduntified on 16 NovcmIber in the vicinity of BlU 11~.JG Camp. 1. prisonur of war captured on that (Into :;tated that CIiX] the rimint. uw c,;ipuecl of nine siriport companics. The mamuver battaions of the 66th ftcglncnt itvido several contacts with AWA! and iMubilr, Strike; Force units opcrating in the flU Fh,:N area.
Docurrents captured 8 Ufov, nbcr 196946th '%rtillrury liinrt: B3.1ittaicn td th. 0th ixrtillcry Re~iinunt.Th interrogation cf a -2risonter of'far trtim tho 66th Kim:rnt rcvcalud that the K-33 Battalion and the 40th itcfgimnrt. was 'suprtn 'h. 66th ho-iment. Thi3 uiit, had 85yn field r~uns and 105 guns. They were belicvcd tc be ri~sponible for rome uf the artilJxry shelling of BU1 P..jG CIEG Camp. Batta-aion, (4t K-3352 at U4851 entioned th

(5) Z-w3? S~v'pcrr Baittalion: This unit is crensikrca the elitu of 9-apper unito in th, flCTZ. The K-37 Sv'pcr Battalion had tnc compan; sunportinr; th. 28th Azfgircnt in the vicinity of dIUC L(.P and one compa~ny sx.pportin,1 the 66th Heginrv nt in thu Dlu PP.Ai'L am-a. Thceir rdss'icn was tL attack aliedc bas~zs in 10 to 15 man greups. Zlomonts in7i th. BlU ilCJ4O arc-%inerv unsuccoful in an nttcnlptcd p..nctration of th pLrime-te.r during~ tht, first %eek of December.
(6) unidntificd units fired artillery frcm positiuns inside C.d)ItIfI. 'on BU NtA,:o CIEG C:anp during an intcrnsc shelling perilod lato Nove.mbor and early December.
c. rcrrndn: Fle mnts of the l'quac'rn suporting Ti.S$K FC FIGIrL'ER woroemcnloyed primir~y in 04Ui-NG DUC PPflVIIUCtZ. The provincu is prin xil r mountairncus with elevations nverapng 900 feet above sea le-vel. The rnounTv'inous C(.rnditicn did not fa',cr e~n zavvrmnt in the -rca. Thcx Yare adlynta,,,eous for -ncXr vtc of rt.CillCes3 rifles ard' cthur flat trajectory weapons on firebasos in the BlU PlIII:G arca. Routes of ncveiacnt3 w'rt. nocted primarily alunr; tra-ils near streams, The thick vegetation, p:rima-rily tripl. canopyT jungle in nest areas, afforded excellont erncaLnent along routes of travcl. 141JU1 fLUC ?1CVINCE contains a pruptcnderanceof streams that genorally flcw sc.utheste;rly, andl drain into largcr tributaricc that makCe their w;ay to the NEMNQU RIVLA. LcvcraJ. rafts were si~ht-,d in streams threupheut the pro-virnae, incicating thait the cur~ and epths of some of tho streams were obstaclcs ton ovemonts in the arca but - ci. atod mevcrAent ef the encrr r-afts. Higinicy 14. is the major rcad in Vi,U3 DUC MOV 1 C,14S It is h.,rd surfaced and in a sc-r4ceablo co;ndition in most areas. Militaril:7 it was not significant during this epcraticn for trave-il purposcs. It was noted that thc. oncryl forces had imp)roved roads along the (AI2C01Z border by covering them with bamb ,o matting. There arc scvcral d1irt trails ncrth~last of BlU 111*2G that afford oxc,:llcnt access to CWUMIG DUC PZJLVICE, in that area. The pattevns of trails indicatcd that Lcr7 forces, fuliotad the: path of least rezitstanco in inost areas to avr.id thick ve~etation. It was pointed out by twv returroos calptured by unchy forces that the enemy maoe mwnizm use of thL rdlitnry crest cf hill masses to build bunkered positicns. Triple canopy verctation limrited acriaj. obocrvaticn in aeo'ural areas. The Dick of larnding zones linited crnploymnt of the ,%uro, rllfl2 platoon and DiTroop in tbeir rule as an tdrmebilc reconnaissance foice in rmst areas reconnoitered by the tir cavalry troop.

CONFI D ETIAL
.30

CONFIDE11TIAL

AVBAC B-C

crCy17

SUBJLCT:

Combat Opcrntion ldtwu Aciu

R0eporty

97

PMV1NCE experienced h~.avy rains and grounid d. Wathcor: QUANG WUC early Octcbur, The rainy fog that 1liued flying! frkm :tuhruntil conulitiun probably was a ilecidling factor for the onemyls ckL.Ly until latLo Octobur to launch their offnsivo in thc area. The trafficability creatcd by thvo rains wuulcl have' made novement of heavy, artilicry pieces dlifhad attemted t, move inte. the positik.; th.y occ-opied ficult if thu rnm during thtu he.i!.ht of thcir oficnsivu. During Septcmber to riid-Octobcr 4 o~vercast co'nditicns prevailud during the early mcrnint, hcursd Ceilingzi lifted to 500-10001 during the day only to descn! in the late a&tterncons. 1,As the~ transitie.n to tht. dry scistin cocured Q4U:J;'s MC ?tCVIICL h,-d lig~ht round fol; that rissipat..d by late norning. Exceept fcor occasion4w overhcnst cendit'ieno in the late a1:tcrnok-n, sldies woro prcdoninatoLy 4 i i;cnccd socattterud vith unlimited visibility. qirh inp acnditions ,er durinF the lattor part Cf l1CVerrbor and early Dcccmber. Tenperatupcs worc rclativcly mdcoratc rdurinr~ the o.ivratiun and had no significant affect on frind2,y or enemy operations. (C) 11t1,;SIOIT: B Troop 7/17 Cavalry was tasked to perform air and ground roconnrissar.cu_ as an cccnor~ of forco unit in general support of thu 23rd Z1VIT Division. D,Troop 7/17 CavalIry had the missicn 'of pruvilcling airmcbilo rcaction forcL for B 7/17 and secured the XLP at Ban 116 Thout-East.

--

9,

10. (c) CwCUCLPr OF OPEATION: In respunse tc indicators that large enexry forcs were prcparing i> r an offensive, the 4th Infantry Divicicn organized TF FICAMTR. B Tr~cp end D TroP 7/17 Cavalry were do~loyi-d to Ban Ile Thout-Mist and coraicneed oeratiL'n in this assigned 1*.0. With D Troop provitlirng reaction, 3 Tr, up initiated extensive tzrial rLCOnnnisSn14CC On ilovL-tber 11, TF FIGMIER was dcsolvcd and 1st Brigaeo, 4th Infantry Di'risie.n assumed control of the operation (SPRILAGIU WHMl). The Brigado mission was to condlu-_ a picificaticn program relieving the .L'RVII oloments cdis- csud in tho vicinity of Bldl lI THOUT to permit then to reinforce BU FPWITO andi DUG LWP Special Forces camps. B Tr~op cuntin d its mission of roconnaissance an! surveillance.. D Troop was rueaso frum OPCON on 3. November anid rcturned to bquacdron ct.ntrcel at Cnrr1 EMSr.

2n.

(c) MCCuTION.-

a. Issvtuu of ordors: TL.SK FORICE FIGIMIR was formed by verbal order of the 4th Infantry Division. B and D Tr, op dcpicyod on order *ondor 7/17th Cavalry OPIA,; 9-69, effective 30 Wugust 69. B and D Troop moved or-rcrLand and by organic aircraft and astabli4shed a forward base at BANI M-V THOUT-EAT on 31 Lugust 1969. Initial coordinratiork was effected 'with the 23rdl LIMN Division and Specirkl Forces Team A-236 at BlU PILtUQ.

CONFIDENTIAL 3/

CONFIDENTIAL
AVBACB-GC SUBJECT: Combat Operation After Action Report 10 February 1910 f

(YU493557). A liaison team was collocated with Team Af236. 1) Troop (-) was airlifted to CIA NGIIA. One platoon was left at I N ME TIIoUT-FAST to assist in perimeter guard and ASP security. b. TASK FORCE FIGCTER significant activities:

(1) I September 1969: B Troop commtenced operations in the D Troop repositioned one platoon at BU PIk,\1G to vicinity of BU PRANG. L,rve as a reaction force. No significant findings were reported. (2) 5 September 1969: B Troop aircraft drew ground to air fire vicinity YU442608. Aerial Rifle Platoon'inserted and confirmed four NVA KIA from AI-IG attack helicopters from B Troop. A bunker complex was also found in this area. (3) 6-7 September 1969: reconnaissance. Weather precluded extensive visual

(4) 8 September 1969: Numerous bunkers and foxholes were observed vicinity, YU626468. Fields in the area and trail usage indicate activity of a platoon size element. (5) 11 September 1969: An LOH observed two enemy evading into a bunker complex at YU656537. The ARP was inserted and swept the area, finding fifty bunkers. The two enemy fled the area. (6) 14 September 1969: .While enroute to CAMP BU PRANG, twenty enemy soldiers riding bicycles and armed 'with AK-47 were seen at YU640 w. 540. The enemy took cover and the weather closed in before the situation could develop. Later, an LOH spotted one enemy near a bunker complex. Numerous ground to air fire reports were received. The attack helicopters engaged the area with unknown results. (7) 17 September 1969: A VR we.s performed in BA203 with numerous sightings made of.bu'nkers, structures ,nd recent activity within the past 48 hours. A Base camp area was discovered vicinity YU489324. The area within 2,000 meters of this area was being cultivated. Several storage structures were found and destroyed. One enemy was engaged and killed at YU489323 and three others were killed at YIJ473319. (8) 20 September 1969: Enemy activity was prevalent throughout BA203. D Troop convoy received B-40 rocket fire and sniper fire at AQ858837. Fire was returned with unknomn results. (9) 21 September 1969: Concern was mounting over the increase enemy indication in BA203. B Troop was targeted in this area for several to follow. At YU465319, two enemy soldiers were engaged and killed while working on a 12x40' bridge.

CO IFIDEINTIAL
32

CONFIDENTIAL
SU J- CT s C(
IAAD.~C10 0 ,.rntl n :.!t~r Ixti n !~r

Fvbrwiry 1970

19",(, B Tr , -,) r. c- ivzcl th.. i 4 trct crum.1t.y ( f thL A 1.11! fteAv .- rnf-tc;-i1r tre, rt..!Atwo hits t: \r 'i tzc.d Ln lIcf..lr. ilrt it :. i.undcd in th,, 1&.;-. Thc -Arcr,ft (...;h.. cri:.irr (I, Th' I.i v inz-:r,,;t tL.- cire tht. z'Jrcr;it :, crtc,.. z~.-. Luik, rvi'i trai .,. :th wini, rL Ct fM l- %;'pC wecre f,-u, I Li .iO -Mzi (10) 22 tcrr ovtin a't W1,733101. W in thk trct"
i~re~a

r-e

tr-dil; .Lm It 1ctL.

Crcq'n vrm bd~nt h-.rvLLtLdi

(12) 25 ;trr 119769, A --cciblce hlvut.c .'.ri ir-D cbsrvud Scutixct cf 13U 1T. . jv: cnc-c?.rdr wen.2 cbnt(. x"vc( in th~s rj =~ur rr, ' by rntt-c .z h,.lto -. t;s.ith urim-xi rc'YiL:. At. v-!J 0320, two w*rc Sby UIX ,.;-':.'.a %ml firc 1::'. rvceivcWr. The flu-Lr of -nc:., '. cti.Qd n-t tu ~j z~ (13) 26 Pt.crr .9'r.er ::nce rz-- !LA. th~t th~c~z waz otill valtiv-t 5n- en B:in 03. Frcrh tv-.1lz in tl), nrca rct' wcvcnt by e c;.*i.nc-r f.rccs- erily. Sovu-rl Str4Ct'-rC- %:ro -rz dcstrcy7-d. (14~) 27 S:ptcrtcr 1962: Ltt-ick hce conter YU5712312 rc n--t-r Ln one nr 11L. T-.;o r.p~e~n i~ihind-lc~t ..n of2 1-cc in tho 1azt 24. cw, ced -m n crr boils!.r a~t psiticns %:e-re locntccl

(15) 29 S-gto-,-bcr 1966: B Troop concantrn~tce thcir eff'ort= in BA203 with aihtrg of ctractume c~x-.ble of houzinr, Scey to fifty al3
(16*7 30 Sc~,crbcr 1969- Concern m3 moatin,, over the arcn roerth =id notxt of YTJ b.!.G. lWcrthcr h'.d p.z-cludcd B Troop fromi cond~ucting sumilirmn in thnt rz ~'n Sc-Ptc-bor B Troc-, v-- dimetcd frc-m BA203 to rrupport. t-.o contacts by thu IZ Force. R* flvte of the en&g-.c.-.cnt were Be.

knc,..no

(17) 1-5 October 19069: The wearther per-.d.tce lirltcd 'JR in the r~araa c! itrcstl ve-st and northi:cst of BU -Mll:G, A fcv tmrils were observed videb inmlc-.cd -honvy uz-qyc. Trril i?:ro hu-.rd Imckcd Uo dircetion of travel coufld ba decrmined.
(18) 6.9 October 1969- B Troop forced out of AO of BI U M.duo to wenilier; nnd conducted 'JR cf B1.203.* Corp proemet ion w,-s contiuzim -Mn sig.g of incrvi'srd acti-ity wocre prescnt. flecw structurcs -nd f~tn positionso 'vro 6 mxzmft, Sc-mrm.1 wera doctroynd by G-mn.-hipno At WU529350, ton structures wero firlud on,~ resulting in a lzrgc sccond.ry cxposion.

(19) 10 October 1969: B Troop repotod tsoirw a jce' nlrcr~ft rcscrblinr a IG. The nircraft hozidcd south, crov3cd tho CIJM0DJl barflcr, flcw throuGh the troop's taictic."1 forr.'.tion, mid the-n flcw northi into CWflCDIA.

ONIFID ENTIAL C
V

LVBCB-MIIA
SU1JLCTI Comrbat Opcrr'tion After Actien Report This accmred vicinity of YU4059.

10 Februnry 1970

PRIJLO. (20) 12 October 19691 Working ti'..nty Mion&eri c"'th rt DlU Troop aircrr'It en-71.ged two onemy so,ditr rm with AK-47's mmiltinU in two possible KU. (21) 13 October 1969: A BUA of a humy Pir.trjko v~n ccmductfid by B Troop vicinity of frl5032* La-ter Vii in !~.O enl~din d~rawing ground fire an three, dtfernt ocvczicna. Atttck Nuliccptcra engmgd with unknown results. (22) 14t October 1969: Along the bcrdur, wc.t of B11 PAiTIG, aircraft observe~d ond cngagcd nlnc oen soliliers ca-xrryn Ah-1~7 ii'n3 rucks-%ckin, Six KI?.. 'wore found . ftcr gunshipa enngcd. knothcr cner-, C(.1i(;r *IIj %--s killed -at UhJ40492, An aircr,-Xt from the 155th Aasriu2t llclic- rptcr Ccrnrrny ropcrtcd cdr-aring rrcund fire at ZEU02,6. 13Troop rr-,cpnck, cngmf'gedr an enci'y oewdd amifx=zd 3 KUA Bd 1 KEA .'ya (23) 113 October 19691 After being drwn for vwetthcr frtr thre B Troop entered the M weect BfU PiIWIG. LHYs obsierved three cnrr ri, Ijie bicycrles * Attack hclic-opters eneaged but vctctatic.n prcclusikd sightigs Cf enemyj casualties. 20 October 1969: B Troop w=~ crcetec ith fo-srenorir ML: in n (2,14) aca ncrthwest of BU PRMG*0 Several well used trftilsa nd recuntly cultiv.'ted ficlds were oberved.e

21 Octobcr 19691 Rcturning to the ccrxo AO ms the -previtmu (25) em y, 2Trom, nr-Irvlt observcd nuncmrus indivnticnc of incro-tscd crneny actirvl.ty. Sevcral structures, bunkers and I'il-n bic.yeclea icre destrcycdo One scc~ i~ry c=,lcz4V-n 100' high was observed. Ono VC was taken under fimrr 41ting in 1VC K&
PRQVO on tio (26 22 Octobcr 191691 Several VC verpe n!.".god west of BU1 difft.-nt 'occrsions, resuting in 2- encmy KL% "nd 100B44,
____(27

26 October 1969t Scouts destrroyed two la-rge rtrttctures ane'. cbsrv&1..%rge sacnehzry explovicn vt IU879757* AircrAft ong- ged three r~r structures Lator thott rcsLtod in an ae-ditional seccnr'nry explrairn =nd cnu enevy Me& obvervred that imdimmtaVM unnagc by itt least fifty inftivicdu:%s within the last 24-48 h-urs. A !3Wt. wvs eenductcd rccultlv- in Light strictures and Troc'p iwaa cri-AitcA iithi two IV. crfudtclto to tho -Air Force. At TJ106647, D3 (29) with in no 28 Octo3ber 196?a South of SM MUL.G, .-. iM i'ual i--m-ir.j in ore KU. R Troop also mi)portc1 ra
(28) 27 Ocveth!

19691

Working northwest1 of DlU PRC-*0. a tr-Al vani

AK-47 va cngrred

IAL CON~FI 0 IT

,~~t

CO ~ tl~ TIAL103tr.j

9'

I..

C~~ !...~

I...

r.

it.-

to, th'. i.ir

Un~T'1.

uc lt.t'.
af-

(ic)c' 2 I.r V'9:

I-, jurL. ~. s .. z ri rl f lr. 1) i

. U

Rnrr 1'-'J .*
-) no o;,

(7003 1 1*~3) w.-,; n c.iv-

' th e::r:;)

C....i'

o~(., .

rin.. rc.'un2'-,;

Lof -j

IL;*:.

:jt.';

Frf in ;'.l1 i..' caiux

r, r.n B Tre-) suipo)rrtA~k ~~c~ 30 C t 1' r .1f A CO6 hnurs,' * e-*~-.t ~~2L..*?, !"U ... i :'nr, , i1rK'2 cf o 7,!fr- r~.cilc~ LZ .1. 1r Li lrtt1 ir *~. .r-C . :tn;i-.c pr..bo a;t~,rqot:.c, but fnilod. B.cau~uo ir. . A,

(31)

ef v.-ith r %t 1
ot" 1I.i-r !.t hj::r't "'t (".%)

1-cet..c V tCv co'U! not x,-.ct uni~l Cpct h~ur! C . ,)UC LP ic.Avcd a stnr-w1-cff att~nk.
cr'.urt a v tr,.in. :tv!cff zt-ic.

." :;u~..

frcc* B Tr.-.rp bc: n bzlt.-'icn :;ize 1 ~ ~ r~c.t:ct~Ito ccuk',n thz" crz(r- un !( r f ir. *zcut tt, .7.-in ;ti-:* r. .. t.x 1t 1151 h9 .. :-m!I hip f t*,.: 403th IklicnP.:.r Co. wez 1 Trcu) cxc-.r1 thu :.fld zsh~t :icr-.:c .!1c in c"-*'! of r'D Ki.B e~ ~'~.: ~i~v. t~..~th,. p l'. Ltv n, L'2.c plntc un of :) Troc-3 V. sccuro tW ~-j. xt'ctu w-ir nc-t zrrlu untAl 1645~ whor the bcdics cS the fr.. r:,. thu w~rckne-i. four ~n~. 5 %TH ho )ur--n- ~.'i~'m'n ir %.nctsof B Tr'np sun ortc'1 FB ft,.r thc cxtrnctl-n of the B D eB lccnts, un.n uicr .-t-ck, anc t hu LHIs :,n- -AL,-.ck h~licc~ptcers aj'ein rc:turnu'A to ' IM .TM"LA rcr.nincd thz: fir bnsc v". tvaccua-telL at 1709-f. Betiwecn 1700 and in rn:)y:vrt util

Thi.

1730 hW;urz, tvo ('iffcrent cicbtinGs of ecrVrr soVicrs were naft. vlip:- enF;Dr;i. r.2sultin; in~ 3 r11..

Gun-

(32) 31 Octxbi-r 19691 Alt 1.130 hours FE &KATZccoe under heavy oncnmt firu. B.,1orc B Trncp coulc r', en station the attick hot'. ccascd. k. Vit W-19 co.r. U:tu! vith niz;cirous fir-htinr; positicns cbcorroed. At 171.0 hours B3 Troop cn~:c_ two .51 cnlibcr nochinc:;uns with crows resulting in 6 NVA KLrnil tdustruatit n of thu 2 651 caliber ma.chinm-,uns,

(33) 1 Movenbor 19691 FE WAE was again attacked and the order was pgivcn to ovncuato. B Troo'p supported ftcnticta -neFt)rM. KATE and, Ctip BU PMLl.0 * Gunships =-I LCZHo were credlitedI with 9 eno-rrrj IV, latd in the. afternoe(-n. The elements at F3 KA.TE cffuctca a linkuap with forces from CNIP 13U ?~..)and returnod to, CJIP EU PFWI.

(31i) 2 11cvenber 19691 B Trcop conc'uctcd a VR in the vicirity of the nb ,n,' cncd FD !TH.Trails. with direction of movement to tho north and northc-tst wocre reportefd. Scouts followed thc trails to the northurtsto A~t npprrxisrtcl 1,500 hours thr. lead Loll drew groun~l fire sustaining sew oral hits.* Tho pilots flow the damagud W}I to a 1I rgje field at YU7936580 Tho tr.il L0OR ltn-t', pickcd up tho crew of the dlowned aircraft and cornmenced to tp'Jc-ff. The LOH wn struck soveral1 tijncs by ernrny zulehincpgun

uCONFIDENT~IAL

CONFIDENTIAL
AVD3C .GC
SUBJECT: Cobat Operations After Action Report fire causing the aircraft to crash and burn on impact. An AH-l0 from B Troop attenpted to assist the do~mad crow members and was also shot down and crashed. All crew members miracuouily escaped the crashes and wore seen alive on the ground by other aircraft in the area. At nrproxIrately 1520 hous the .1URP and one platoon of D Trocp were inserted in an attest to secure the dovncd crows. Num.,rous enenrV positions were observed by the rround elemnts. Attack heliccptcr- kept continous fire on the eneM but the ground elements were unablo to reach the do,,ned crew members. At 1EC0 hours one of the dotned crcw members ias seen noar an opening. During the attcmpted picki) the rescue helicopter sustained eight hits, wo nLIing the co-pilot in the lcg. Tho rescue helicopter ro-turned to the area later and picked up one of the do,.mod aviators. At 20CO hours, rescue effcrtv were aborted -andthe ground elements wore extracted. Atterpts to link up w rith the do~ned aviators were unsuccessful. due to large cenrt! forces in the area.

10 Fobraury 1970

(35) 3 :cvenbor 1969: Coordination was affected with the 23rd AIRI! D)ivisicn f1r a reacticn force in an attempt to reach the crash site. At 163P hours sufficient assets were mrAd, available and two ccp-nies of the 22nd Ranger Drttalicn wcre inserted at )rJ797667 and startod noving to-ard the crash site. At IEO9 hours, the enerV initiated an attack with anall arns, automtic iapccns B-40 rockets and nortars. AH-1Gs from B Troop
B Trccp guns!ips su?.-ortcd the contact nlono with airztrikcs and ailor?. rermined over the unit until weather for-ed them out in the mcrninz hours. An interesting ecvelicp)nt cccurred just prior to insorticn of the H~ngcr cc..--'.!os. The S Troo, ce.r.zndor ncritrl.' a rndio tr~1.ns.v-n -. the B3 Troop Ft cc,;m.nnd not of an En,lish cpualctg voice snying , Ir.at are you lccking for, yor pilots arc safe in CMCDIA-" A el;-ssical type =-,ocic. prcgran followed, then another transmissIon in an unacwn_ foreign Lngunge was heard. (36) 4 Ncv:e:bcr 1969: The 22nd Ranger 0 c=%tns vtcre undor riortar attack. B Troop enmarod tho area silencing the mcrtar. Throughout the day the ground elc.ents ivro attackcd and refused to be extracted. The 23re ARVa Divisioa Cc.'r.ndcr ordered the 1-53rd Ir~fantr; to effuct a linkup and reinforce the beseiged Ran-er ccnpanics but were at.cked enroute. B Troop continued in -uppcrt of the ARVIN elements and were credited with 15 MI. -.. ..-.. -- (37) 7 "cvenbor 1269: B Tricp conducted 7.1 of fo-r 3-52 strtcvicinity 49476 ;-th no significant findinrp. D Iro p-) xs frcn BU ?RMM, znd brcught to 1lA1 12 THCUT-LST to Jiun the third platoon which was ccnductinT ASP Security at 'BT! TKOUT- ST. IS (38) 8 November 1569: B Troop suppcrted a unit in contact near CIP EU . The ene't was engaged res-ulting in 3 KIA and 3 ;QA. One aircraft took ground fire end received three hits. (39) n Ncvcr.ber 1569: TF FIGhMM -xas dissolved and 15t Brigade, 4th Infantry Division assuned CPCal of B Troop. iIthcugh PCAN to
-Xtcd-

CONFIBE ITIAL
3')~

AUBC SUflJECT* Cumbat

0

CONFIDENTIIAL
p raticnt; After Action Reiport

10 Fobrua-y 1970

1st 4rgdIth Infauitr.j Diviolon1 B Trnop recuivu thi insfo th,. 23rdl LiNVf Divioic:n nn ~in g.;nira sudnort of thvwi. Jliooic ns cundutt-for thc 13t Prlimc' :v azil invclvecl tro,"L in ccnt.-t (w 1r ations SPiW.AGIE ' :1IITE cfni:vrinced on the 11th. Onu aircr-ft received a 5 cnlibs-r rountd wruun.UnE, onu crevacrb.,r cenruuto to DU PR.UG on this date,
c,

OPMUTI011 OU%liEAIMWITt Significint Activitiev.

(1) 3-1-15 Novernbcr 1969t Conrlucted normal VAI vicinity rf CA.MP WC LAP. D Tr.t.p wnv ruJleased to Squrrviron control on 13 !kfvL-nber ary'. raturncd to Cnp Enari. (2) 16 N4vomnber 19691 B Troop provike(I support for CIY1P Bli PRLMJ thit wasuntder a stand-off attack. A reconnnissanoc oast of DUC LAP inlicated e. ltirg: cncvy force w as moving souithwste A rest area was found at ZU0082 large enough to nccozrndato 250-300 inivduals.-

(3) 19 11ovtmber 1969: Workin" cast of BU PRIXG, B Troop aircraft uaqaid a largc cnemry force rosulting in 12 cncair KIt&.
00~ '2?

~hmbr1969t
1~ht enenr' .lAG

611Z
locitcd.

Air craft ongecI an enemy force close to werf- Illed and several bunkers ant' structurcs

wore

5) .23 I.;~.' 1969t Oprating, vx-t of DUC LAP the LO~s ontgagcd n-~oern ww.i aftor rccrdvin,- grount' to air fire,, resulting in 8 anorVs Yjk Sovur! 'bt=crc, striictiircs an,! traijb wore noted while 'conducting s'r-voillanec oih of BAN MZ THO0UT- EAST.
(6) 2L~ Ncvu-)Tbcr 1969: Elements were divcrted from an area west 0. ]JC LJ.P to proviO'.e assistance to a convey undor attack northw.-est of ZU117Ifl THOUT. GCxnnhips ongazved the area with unkcnova results.

(7) (8)

26 N;ovanber 1969: 2?

LO~s killed one soldtier cast of BUC LAP. Weather and high vinds 1iitcd operations#

November 1969:

(1-9) 1-4 December 19691 B Troop conducted normal reconnaissance ilthe vicinity of DUO LI.? and 13U P1ii.I'fl with no sigiificant findinGs. (10f) 5 December 1969: Two trucks from B Troop receivcd small erons fire fro tho west end of the rumwz tBNM }OTL.T h co-rifle platoon swept the erc-a with -no findings., One -individual from Headquarters Troop received a slight wound. (11) 9 December 1969% Activity was subsiding in the BU PRIJZ andl DUC LAP aroas. B Troop received the mission to conduct V H north of DUO LPd to dotormino in the 66th Regiment had croased the border. F or

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL
AVDXD-O C
STJD4Ec: Combat Oprtions 1.ft.r .ctivn

2 Fubra
Fp9rt

1970

the Mxt three d.1,s, 14Tr'rp cevnuctkd this mission with no si!htins ir&icatin. rucont activity. LOll 12 December 1969t South -f !U PL,.jG 'a, lrL. r, cLivu' (12) in ono to air fire. Fire wns roturn,,1 rcsultinr . (13) 13 December 1969: THE IMP was inserted gr'

in an nroa sev..rln activity.

kilnmxtors north cf DUC LAP to c,..nf-ir

acri-al sihtinktz of or=

(14)

I4-18 December 1969t

Weather rcstirctol activiti-s.

(15) 19 Dcccmib.r 1969: Working to the canst of DUC L.P, fcur sampans we re dcstred and 3 ;rM M~t. also resultkd. (16) 20 DMcLmbr 19*9t Operations rwrthwest of BAN WE THOUT produccd sirs of rccnt nctivity. One ezwq was en; .;oi at U846 4 73 rsult-

inn in I IA* (17)

LOH. 22 Docembor 1969t One enewl sol"icr cxchanLd firm with a The LOH tuck him under fire resulting in 1 cnemy XIV.o

(18) '23 Deccmber 1969: 3 Troop AAP was incrtced into thu area of the douned aircr-.ft of 2 kvuwmbcr. 1.1 in(icatirns showed the ener hAd not attempted to strip tho aircraft. ,1,. cquipmcnt, tc include r-utlcs tal arnunition, was still prcsunt. One lncrican bc4 AnW the j.H-IG attack

hclicoptcr were rc ovcrcdo The two LOHs were totally

crnsh of 2 Uovumbcr. (19) 23-29 December 1969: nificant findings.

estruyod durinC th-

Rocnnaissance continuard with no siC-

(20) 30 December 1969: B Troop provided convoy escort for the Ist Bri adc move from 1T THOUT-U.ST to CiJIP EN I. ME B Troop moved overlar and by nir to CtJI ETIMI and reverted to Squadfon control on 30 December

with operation SPRM,.G334

12. FULTS="

I-TME terydnatinrg.

a. Eixeir Losseas
-------- KI

.
61

W..M CTA

IPNS DEST 2x.50 caliber MI-

STRUC DEST 61
-~~-

STRUC DAM 31

ITERIEL DEST 6 bicycles 29 rice trws rafte 3siqp ns

55

2.AX-47

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL.
6Vt'i1-C, C
SU3JIXT: Combat Op.r..ticn APft4r Actit n cpcrt

I0 Fubrury 1970 Losses: I L ss was a risult of action on 2 NvumbL.r. One

one oif the cruw

b.

rricn' l

(M). ITJ :

b4,, was r~covrcd on 23 Decumbur ai n J ter i-untifiLC. a mibkrs thazt wor. shot duwn on that tiLy.

(2)
(3) (4)

CIA:
1IM.

2 in.ivldI were capturud foll .win, thc acticn on 2

control on 10 December. 2 As a r'sult of action on 2 Novemburo

Nvkrbcr an' Pere returnd to U.S.

EQUI.'Pr:

3 aircraft 0estnycd 2 -LOH

13.

(C) ADrrrIISTIVTIVE MATTEIS

Decause of the weather resupply coul.d not always meet the !tnnd am! o-jeraticns wen. hampered on occasions as a result of this conditicn.
FViRES C, '5.

a. Sum *: Class III&,An(! Class V were stared at DU PjUJI SP;cIAL

b. Comnrdc!.tions: B Troop performed ruconnaissance in areas that wcrc cut of ran, .-f FM communiction. 11 liaison persc nnul to include the ono l.catc, at CIMP DU VUJJ wore furnished with portablo HF radios, hrwvcr, the aircraft in tht 1O did not have tht ARC-102 (HF) radios. B Tr.cp rw'c a sp-cial effort to koep TILK FORCE FIG.HTC and Ist Brigaco, i Uth Irfantry Divisi(.n infcnm.d of their activities. The 24ck of communicaticns rosulte-. in late reports of significant information. l. SP-CIi.L EQ7IF01T I1D TEChTIQUIS: No special equipment t=s used, hwuvor, D Trcp use,. a techniquo that privo(d effective, hdile con.uctinc last li ht visual rcconnaiss.nce around Bi21 IE THOUT. Through cocrinaticn, a small eulment of Hational Police was picked u each afternoon and inserted t,. question an, suspicious individuals (bserv~d by the scouts.

15-

111rJISIS An RZCO1'2SElATlONSt

a, Fro WorV. Forces have limited knowledge of the proper employm-nt of ar ir Cavalry Unit. (1) ll. ysist On numerous occasions, B Troop was diverted from a visial '-cini ssanco mission to suprt units in contact, althourh capable of perfcridng this mission there is other combat powor that should be utilized first i.e., attack helicopter units, artillery, tactical air, etc. To divert the air caviry troop from their primary mission cf rcconnaissanco and surveillance for oxtewxed periods of time roducs the intalligonco gathering effort. (2) Recotmmndations: That coumamers of Free World Forces and

CONFIDENTIAL M5

I II a a

I II

i p

CONFIDENTIAL
their Vietnam advisors be made aware of the proper employment of air cavalry to include capabilities and limitations. b. Coordination botween Free World Forces was fair.

(1) Ainaysls

Troop was called into areas that were Oalledgedly" clcared

for their operation, only to discover air strikes in progress or friendly units in the area. On one occasi, the unit was clcarod into an xua ttat had recently been seeded with bomblots. Only through discussion with an Air Force Forward Air Controller was this discovered. Coordination between ARVI, MIKE FORCES was SPECIAL FORCES us difficult at timeuo (2) Reconmendationst That tactical hcadquwtrers be established to control all opcrations a aticuL area in order that subordinate units can offeat the a necessary coordination and fire controlessential to a tactical operation. c. Reactions to the sightings mode by the air cavalry troop were miniml.

(1)Observation: Although B Troop was used in an cconorq of force role, no action was taken on their sightings. The ARVN forces were not prcpred to rect
as evidenced by the action on 2 November. It took approxinately 25 hours to organize a reaction force. Once comidtted the Ranger units fought well agr.inst overwhelmsng odds.

(2) Reconmenetions: That coimanders of Free World Forces be prepared to

react with appropriate combat power to sightings mae by an air cavalry unit. d. Th- use of D Troo' (ground cavalry troop) for extended periods as ASP guard and ready reaction force was poor utilization of a recormaissance clomnnt. (1) Analysis: For ever to months the troop remained static in a sccurity and reaction force role. The effective intelligence gathering capability and econor of force role of the xmi' , was lort duing this period.

(2)Recouuxndationst That the ground cavalry not be employed in a static

security role. If it does becoe necesuary to tai the troop with such a mizcicnj, that it be done* only for a limited period of time.

LTC,

AR

CFEndAng

CONFIDENTIAL

,4.

-_

-_

/
CONFIDENTIAL
DEPARTMVtT OF THE AR& HEANUAkrEliZ, 7TH Sk.UADHON, 1T'H CAVALIM APO lan Francisco 96262

AVBWrB-GC
SUBJECT: THRU: Combat Operations Kfter Action Report

10 February 190

Commanding Officer

17th Combat Aviation Group

APO 96240 Comanding General 1st Aviation Brigade ,Pn 96384 Comnding General USARV AMO 96375 TO:. Contanding General NACV

ATTN: XICJ343 Ao 96222 1.

(U) NAME AND TYPE OF OPERATION:

Operation jJJTLER - Experimental Ranger/Air

Cavalry Operation.

2.

(U) DATES OF OPERATION:

16 December 1969 - 23 January 1970

3e (C) IiXATTION II Corps Tactical Zone; Pleiku and Binh Dinh Provinces; Map, Vietnam 1367OO series - L7014; Sheeta 6637 II and III, 6636 I and 1J, 6737 II and 11I, 6736 I and IV 4. (c) co,,m AND ComL ,thADU t

a, The overall control of the operation was under the 4th Infantry Division, b. 5. R The 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry tis responsible for mission accomplishment. RTING OFFICERS t CO ,7/%7 Cav
CO, A Trp 7/17 Car

WC GEORGE S. MPM
1A.J ROILD 0. MAZSON

16 Dec 69 - 23 Jan 70 16 Dec 69 - 23 Jan 70 16 Dec 69 - 23 Jan 70

CF KIM H. OL.EAD

CO, K-75 Ranger Co

CPT XKEM

O. LI ,. GoI

CC, D Trp 7/17 Cav

16 Dec 69 - 23 Jan 70

1TVERAED AT 12 TEAR WIfIRVALS

"NCL0LkE

CONFIDENTIAL 004 0 .

q1 WT

AUTOMATICALLY DECLASSIFIED

DOD DIR 5200.1

CONFIDENTIAL
AVEkCIB-C
SUDJ T: Combat Operatiens After Action Report

10 February 1970

6. TASK O1MIZUATION:
Timo-l ?.
(U)

7/17th Air Cavalry Squadron (-)cunsistir, of A, 13 and D

I-5 Haner Company.

SUPPORTING FORCESS

a, 4th Infantry Division provide two UIH anW two-attack helicopters on a -- -dnt1y basis to caluct insertions and extractions of the Ranger teams. b. No artillery was placed DS tc this operation but artillery routino basis against enemy sightings. Results were unknown. used on a

8. (C) - IUMtLLIGENCEs The are& Wtgeted was a reconnalssance zene for the 3rd Brigade, 4h Infantr Division. No Froevorl Forces had conlucted operations in the area for appr.xiatcly three montha. Althou&. trails, overlays and hari-ta. lists were available from previous operaticns, no firm intellirenco or identity *f enemy units was available for tho =ea. Intelligence data did inlicate that the 4 08th SAPPER BITALION conducted a training school tim dist:nce to the north cf the

.et

'operational bour". It was also felt that small mrvups were sent south to obtain
food amil spplics frcm the lw lands. a* Cover and Concealment: The terrain throughout the area varied from double canopy jungle to sparsely wooded areas. One abandoned tea plantation wms centered in the area of operation. Cover and concealrient favored the enemy during aerial reconnaissance affording them good observation points throughout the area. b. Obstacles:

the jungle terrain was slow but possible. Due to the nature of this operation, hispeed, well used trails were used and the Ran-er teans selected their observation
points along these trails. There were two large rivors in the area that precluded

The area contained no obstacles to foot movenent.

Hov.Mnt in

wheel vehidle nwvemnt.

oporatior,

This hmparod D Troop (ground cavalry troop) in their

The was overcome bp utilizing them in an aimuobile role.

c.

Observation;

In the jungle areas, observation favored neither the friendly

In the relatively open areas, observation favored the RangLr

nor the enemy elements.

elements. The enemy could bu sighted from the Rangers concealed positions and combat power brought to bear on thL=.
d. Veathcr: !4ethr was good except for occasional high winds. Hwd.dity w.s av.rage, temperature ran6ud from 5 at night to 750 during the di's. Ceilings -nd visibility were unlidted with the exception of two or three days. 9. 1=I0IM_ The primary mission was to gather intelligence within the arca with a second-wy purpose to determine the feasibility of plceing LONG RJ.G RFXONNJ3S&JEE PITROLS (LRRP) aPCOM to an air .nvalry unit, to develop techniques, and to i&ntify

problem areas. 10. COCEPT OF -3RW TION: This concept was to employ LRRP teams in an AO to develop
inte3MlFe. "U= the basic function of air cavalry, the LMP teans r.dded depth to this cffort and provided another collection agency. In addition, the rapid

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL
SU11JL.CT: 1.VH:.I3-&~C10 Combnt c x rz.tioni: ft, r Iction i~uport F,;brwiry 1970

M'sponsc to t Ticr~ a~ssist.d th LLUC. LURP t~ rz= wcrL to air rk connaiss.nc, ptrittd the LRW evadu from tht: or. 1.. (C) F.XECUTIC4-

iUIxm r~tzu provilud by th, air c~valry unit:; ixrtly ' i~n pxrforitig th~ir i-dssion. By coordin-.ting thk. effort, b, . mplWyd ini ark-.S htij,!Cett to vhteru 1. Troop was conducting %n,!D Yroop wuas conducting ground rLCo1Yia9imncu. This UtechniquL t-. :.s to obscrvt, or ruibuimii, -s roppropriatk., wu-' on(- attkmpting to --- ------1Lth Div M.GL 0 127-69 (U)'

. stuanct, f Crdcrs~: Effective 16 Dc.-irbcr 1969, 'thk K75 j(anger Co ()wzas pl:,ccd undtkr oixur, tionva control of th,! 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry. Prior crordination had bvcun co.ltct id th, first Light teams wurLe duployed in the 1.0 on th 16th
b, ber.itcs t Si&:ciic

(1)

16

DLceM or:

Light teams iperx- inserted in the 1.

(2) 18 Joc cr: 1At 0845 hours, onu-. team wan engaged with small ;arns. Thc; t ez re-twurnd firc vit M-16 and fragnuntation greandcs. A& Troop, working in an adjacent 1,k0 wasx dive.rted -nd tas 6n station at 0852. Socuts fron 1. Troop attemptud to locato the cnmy force. 1A 0955, the acro-rifle platoon was inserted alongith one platocn *of D)Troop to conduct a groune. Search of thL area. k. thorough swuc-,p, of the area foilA to locatu Thu enemy. /A the end of th-. day clevu.n teatmrs wc-re .iT-h r in :=.bush or ebservation positions.

(3)

19 D.c(r 4 Lcr:

,'. LdtRP tean spottcd 20 uncm% soldiurs

at 0850

hours.

1. Troop

respend:,d and w.1-S oVL~rhcad( w-ithin eight n~inutces, The enemy could not bc fixed, hotzcvcr six- enmr snldir werL sighted 3 kilometcrs awray. Thu acro rifle platoon and two plaitoons of D Troop' wcerz inse-rted to sorch the arca but the encmy soldicrs could nct bc fouand. Two iwohen !xrc detrincd. Seven more LRRP tcnims were inscrted and three' * extracted, luaving fift -Ln t-,ns in the "O.

(Ii) 20 1 Zm~r: The snine LRRP team that had a sighting on 19 Dace-mbor hadi two more sifghtins of and 19 cnemy soldie-rs walking by their position. A Trccop responded ars! -w unablc te fix thoc ncMyr. The tea,,m was th~n cxtracted and soon afte-r the scouts obs,-rv cd nu Lnga~e~d two enemy resulting in two KiCL. The aurc riflec :.latocn was inserted in an attempt to make contact on the ground with no results. Thirtccn tearxs ryrmainc~d operational'in thu. fied.

15

21 December: 1. LRPUI teami watching a trail cbservcd four individu;als n snr,,*a ;n :ombushJ Four rucksa'cks ccntaining misecelancous documnents were captzrtd. Ani uxtraction w:- macoc so, thrat in'mdintL r.eadout of thL documentc could be. rc-.nplish'.c . i.ight 1.uas i.'er c xtracted a-nd six were iLnserted for a total of 13 .c;s inl the ,'D. Onc of ih- tea"ms inserted hcod the mission of Lstnblishing an ambush in the vicinity of th,. i~htings en 20 1)ecember.

(5)

(6) 22 DccL r~ic:. LIrR. teami moving into positi~n to observe , trAl at flRO2T32 spotted three ijVividuals. UsLtablishing a hasty -Lmbuzh, they 14cundcd two VC nd aptred~2 acni !ith an AK-47 and * o riicksnacks. .1 Troup ',.RP's

CONFIDENTIALY3

OF ID TIA EN
I..Ba-03

SUBJECT:

Combat Op. r:tions ;.Mtr fActit,n Report

10 Fe.bruarzy 1970

inncrt-A and swcept tL. aroa, with ncgativL- r%suits. t~t 1820, th.. IiPs w( iVL ~rtA.d to assist the ambush tc--n insurt.0 on 21 DICuibcr. Thc LC}P amrbu~h initi Acd contact killing three VC/APJ;., c.ripturud one ILT-'W, cnL 11-Jt7, ank' two rucks-cks. j.t 1828, 1. Tr~.op nttaek h. licoptersA were (-n st-.ti(n -~n~l pruvid covc'r f.~r thL irithdraw'.l of the LRHP -rbtLeh to an LZ. Thc teamvs itemt Lxtrat-l at 1915 hours by use of ropu b-tdirs* (7) 23 Du-Cumbirt i, '1roo work%-d th.. LhR centa^-ct am=~ of 22 3Xceirbcr. 'Thc sdouts killed 2 NW.. Thu ills werc confirmed by the aeru rifle platoori !4hifh h.ad been insurted in the rmca. (8) (9)
insurt(A.

24~ Dcccmtber: 26 :Xcuhtx.r:

;AU teans were withdrawn frcm the XOfor the ccasc fire pri o. Thu tenns we-re phased bnck into the 1,0 with six tc ars beirqg

(10) 27 Dacerebcr: :.t 1026, a IJRRP Teari initiated centact with -an unIcn.wn sioa *cw.M force. . Tr op rencted and were on station at 101L7. 1t 1912 the ftP tanm had! swopt the %r,-, confirmed unL ezmI~r KI and captured 1 LK-47 and rucksnck. (1.1) 28-31 Decemrber; The te.ims were phased out r.f the 1.0 in preparaticn for operation WIYNE THRUST vicinity of In Kho., (12) 2-23 J^.nuary: 7/17 Cny (-) -anl K-i'5 Range-r Co ()were placed DS to 1st Brig,-,ic, 4th Inf Div suone-rting OFER1.TION I.1r HRUST. The cioordinated-x operation t.xp.rii nc--(. uring thu. prio.i 16-31 D4-cenber was lr'ckdnr during this opuraticon. ThL -iircrnft to ccne~uct the insertions and extraction aefrm&st allctdt h 16rts~re. Due tc hifher privrity idssions thu aircr-~ft iurc not always available- whcn rt-quired. This re-sulted in the tv-ris net being insertedl prior te th, maneuver cl,.=nts resulting in the loss of valuable intcllig.nce information. Due tco the crnplcymint of the !!rounf. trcops the proposcd location of thu Ueams wrer( changed Se-vcrC, tines necessitating nuedtss reconnmiissanco rissions and furthe~r de1lrying their Qmp1-mym.-nt. The squafrtmn was assignted hi-gher priority missions miaking support to the ternis L-ss respcnsive. This resu~ted in the- cnemy normally evadLing biufore thu, cqundru:. coul. react. On 23 January the team-u-s were relcamed from OPCOW to the squadron -nd plr.ced in d1irect support cf thc. two brigades. 12. (C) 1=LULTS: a, (1) (a) (b) (c) Test Phaset Enamy: KL..:
Mo.

16 December -31

December 1969

8 2 2

De-tainces:

JONFInEIITIAL

UNCLASSIFIED,

.. a,.a
:xBJ1TCombat OPr:-tA, ns ,.ft, r ict.,+n k-,pprt

3.0 Fubruary 1970

(I)
(,)

CL.:

1
W. Equi m.nt: 16" .,hcum~nts, ICZ:
9

Wonaps

, ,kK-47"

3, fX.T-49:

1.

b.

OPEW.TIOIl .

T; th'UST:

2 Jr.nuxry

23 January 1970

(1)
(2)
c.

Em.r:

None
4 WVL fr'tm punji stakc wunkiso During th- tust Ihase, int,.rdiction of hiphway 19

Friendly:

GENERAL CC-VTSt

virtually ce.cs'!.

From till in ricatiers enmW

morale was *1ared .onsiisr~bly.

Cnstnt surVLia]. .c- was present in thL area twcnty-fcur hours a t. What was theught tc be an ara free rf encmr forces was frund t be quit.: active. Abmcrzt Lvery mijor trAl in :th, ara was. being observed. The eney was forced tc cease novemnt or risk !etecticn. Much intelligence was gained from the operation. ThL nost significant rhult of this operation was thk. ,t. rmination that LRRP/Cavalrl rprti,:ns am highly successful when given the latitude and prvided the %ssctz to perform the mission.

13b SPMCILL EQUIPM1T -M TECMIQUES: a* The entiro operation can be classified as a spccial ttchnique. reinforcing ard cxplitati,,n when necessary.
be By employing all assets, i.e. the ground cavalry troop in the portion of the AO that was trafficablc, the air cavalry in rutgcU terrain and the LRRP tcans t;-.rrx tLU on trails, a thorough coverage of the area was obtained. The average daylight rmac in of the air cavalry.trcp was five minutol At night, the trOLp could rcact within 25 rnutes.

The ranger

effort nugfmntod th 0 n',r . air cavalry functions ef reconnaissancu and survoillrneo. The cavalry coiplcmntcA thc ranger activity by rapidly reacting t: sightinGs,

co The ARP was used on omi. occasion to rein V' a a LRdRP team. The ARP was later extracted and the LRRP team established an ebushe ApproximrAtely an hour Rftcr
the OEP was extracted, the LRRP team sprang the -V uih killing one encmy and

_capturing an MC-47_aned rucksack.

14. MIMJSIS AND RECOKENDATIOI

a. Operaticns of this nature should be used in areas where limited intollicnce exists. (i) Analysis: Prior to this operation, only a hard target list.and trail overlays wore, avallnblo of the 4.0. No knowm eney units were identified in the ar,a

and thu area was thought'to be v6id of enemy aotivivy. By saturation of the aren
with LRRP. teams, much intelligence was gained, the interdiction of Righway ID

virtually ceased, and cnemy supply lines to the lowlands were disrupted*

UNCLASSIFIED,'

UNCLASSIFIED,'

L
;snks.t-OC S~ITOJFCTt Cnbat 01>r-tiina :.fter ,.ct i-1 'ctii-n ieprt 20 Februtiry 1970

(2) fleet mm ntie ma That e, w ers evaludate the feaetblity (.f ueinC IJUP/ir cavalry vT~n Ir arua .re intvl' :L',cnva .hta Is lackiz. b, Use tf IUW/Air Cavalry as Ocon(P,7 r frce measure.0 of

(1) ;=Agiss i;I/f Cavaly t'po-IratLns c."n be utilised tc screen 1ars'a areas et clurai~Wn fro-eln -anuvr uts tt. be deplcyed against Jonrwn. uluIV concntraticna. The area (f cpratice~n 1(.r the tost phas3e me."uroiltbirtucn idilLmetcrs by terty-five kil~metrs with term 4varyin,- frtm thick, m-.:-taIniAw jungle to w ln s- with spa~rse wrerrcvth. he are-a was offectiveli screened and enciV

Mimen detachca.

cui.dr

fleccnclationst alarge areas, freig

That ccL e nmaider this methodi of omplrcyment to maneuver jelements to concentrate on knclwn omi forces.' roceed a Malor operation: ted by.thfr unit, LlUIP/kir Cava" cpcrations

C, Use of L!Jlr/Air Cavalry tt (1) Ana3ysist Although not

in a designated cxea- prior to major 4,ffensivo cperaticins is a valJid employment.

B~y empicying UALP. teamsa to target man area, excellent initelligence data can be cbtained. Commanders must realize 'that it may, take three to. five days to d'evelop an area adequately. Using air cavalry to conduct, recunnaissance in -the area before cummenceinent of the i-peration would make mailimum utilizaticn of air and ground assets as targets cculd be fully devbuloped. (2) Reccrmen,-tirunss That counnders havine lMRP/Afr CavalIry assets use thoA vau-EFTEec gatherink elements in ccnjuncticn with each othur to achieve maximum utilization of both units.

LTC.. AR Commanding

4"4

UNCLASSIFIED.
,,"ICRA'FT MVII1 Tr111,1.'

1.
UNIT

(C)

tircraft Strn.gth av of 31 J-ii 1970:

AHI-1G Auth/ASO Auth/ASO UJH-1 Auth/ASG TOTAL Auth/ASG

QTROOP .
ATROCP
R TROOP r.TOOP

------ -

7 /5 8/8 8 /8

5 27/25 27 /26 27 21

L/o
/9

9/9 9 /9 9/9 916

TOTAL '-30L
2, 70:

y, 23

27/27

31/29
-

88/79
31 Jrq

(C) Avorage .ircrft -%vailab Lity by Troop by Typo Aircraft 1 Nov 69

tIOq6A

AH-10

-lH

Hn
ATOP 72% OR 5% loIs
23% NCRM

85% OR
1% HORS
14i%14ORM

78% OR 4% NORS

70% OR ig NCRS

18% NORM,

26% NORM

B ROOP

90% CR
2% HORS ORM 8% N

74% OR 5% NatS
21% KOHI1

77% CR 5% NOES
18% NORM

C TROOP

8e. OR 2% H S 16% NORM

75% OR 2% NCE 23% NURM

77% CR 3% NOES 20% NORM

Inclosure 8

17

DECLASSIFIED AFTER 12 YEARS. DIR 5200.10 ~MD

DOWNGRADED AT 3 YEAR INTERVALS;

uNCLASSIFED,

UNCLASSIFIED,.

DOCUMENT CONTROL DATi%. t,

c UN I DE N'tAL I
* se. 0I,,tO.
.

,%igon

)C

01

~~
CO* 7th Squadron, 10 Fe~bruary 1970

tounferinsurveny

operat ions, 1Nov 69 to 31 Jan 70.

17th Cavalry

&1

."'"

/A
C0

,701132
I'l "a 0501

1" 11

N NO WON 7 1.0151 fAWg otf

her -bors .

Lh

be

-Ig4.d

tles _..

O.

II .

19.6

V/A

OASFR

DA,

Washington, D.C.

20310

48

DD P.0#01473

I*N(LA'*

I FT)

UNCLASSIFIED,