Pacific Stars and Stripes information
for 4 AVN 4 INF
For date 680224
4 AVN 4 INF was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Pleiku Province, II Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Camp Enari
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "Choppers Light Red Positions."
Camp Enari (IO) - There's a new breed of pilots scouting the treacherous highlands jungle. Tagged "Nighthawks" by their commander, LTC Myles H. Mierswa, of Dumont, N.J., of the Ivy's 4th Aviation Bn., the pilots are the skippers of newly devised searchlight helicopters which patrol the highlands after dark. Two types of the special aircraft are being employed to search for "Charlie." One features a cluster of seven C123 landing lights mounted in the door of the helicopter and the other has a huge xenon search-light mounted on the side of the ship. The xenon beam provides an infra-red capability allowing the penetrating light to go undetected by the naked eye. Both sets of lights are controlled by the aircraft commander with the use of a remote power switch. The "Nighthawks" have been operating primarily around Camp Enari but recently were called to Kontum and Pleiku during the war-torn Tet holiday and proved quite effective. The "Nighthawk" operation supplements base camp defense. The technique provides a thorough reconnaissance of ravines and gullies which persist in the highlands jungle. In the event a target is uncovered, the 4th Inf. Div. pilots carry flares to further light up the position so that the situation may be pursued accordingly.
Comments: LTC Mierswa, Myles H.; 4 AVN BN CO; ;
The source for this information was 6802pss.avn supplied by Les Hines
Additional information is available on CD-ROM.
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Last updated
02/21/2000
Date posted on this site:
08/17/2025