Pacific Stars and Stripes information
for 281 AHC
10 CAB
5 SF GRP

For date 680103


281 AHC was a US Army unit
10 CAB was a US Army unit
5 SF GRP was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Khanh Hoa Province, II Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Nha Trang
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "Copters Help Patrols Drop in on VC." NHA TRANG (IO) - Deep over Viet Cong-infested jungle, a yellow smoke grenade marks the landing zone as a UH-1D helicopter whirls down on the clearing. Clad in black and green "tiger" suits, their faces streaked with camouflage paint, members of a long-range reconnaissance patrol appear from the bamboo thickets. One by one they dash towards the waiting Huey while supporting gunships lace the surrounding jungle with rockets and machinegun fire. Infiltrated earlier under cover of dark by the same helicopter, the reconnaissance team was pulled out after heavy contact with the enemy. Flying reconnaissance teams into hostile territory has become almost daily routine for the ships of the 281st AHC. The unit arrived in Vietnam in June, 1966, as part of the 10th CAB, to increase I Field Force Vietnam's air mobility. On missions ranging from command and control flights to company size combat assaults, the Nha Trang based unit had totaled 1,777 sorties by August, 1966. The company supports the 5th Special Forces Group as a lifeline forth various "A" camps throughout II Corps Tactical Zone, airlifting supplies and evacuating wounded. In addition to their combat mission, the "Intruders" furnish air support to the Military Assistance Command Vietnam Recondo School in Nha Trang, assisting long-range reconnaissance patrols train in repelling, rope ladder infiltrations and extractions. Headed by Maj. James W. Mayhew, the 281st has more than 280 pilots and enlisted men, divided into one gun and two airlift platoons, plus a service platoon for maintenance. Photo Captions - Members of MACV Recondo School in NHA TRANG learn how the "McGuire rig" pickup system works. Patrol members are often flown over miles of enemy territory dangling from the ropes. Photo Caption - Mountainous terrain and dense vegetation makes for a tough landing for this pilot of the 281st Assault Helicopter Co. as he comes in to pick up a reconnaissance patrol. (USA Photos by Spec. 4 A. P. Honnegger). Photo - Helicopter taking off from the LST.
Comments: MAJ Mayhew, James W.; 281st AHC CO; ;

The source for this information was 6801pss.avn supplied by Les Hines


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Date posted on this site: 05/13/2023