unit history information
for 145 CAB
68 AHC
118 AHC
135 AHC
From date 680501 to 680731
145 CAB was a US Army unit
68 AHC was a US Army unit
118 AHC was a US Army unit
135 AHC was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Bien Hoa Province, III Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Bien Hoa
Description: In the Organization section included the following:
The 145th CAB reported to the 12th CAG.
The following units reported to the 145th HQ: the HHD, 68th AHC, 118th AHC, 135th AHC, 190th AHC, and 334th AWC.
The 197th Med Det was attached to the 135th AHC 20 May 1968.
In the Awards and Decorations section, the unit received SSs 8, DFCs 36, BS 'V' 6, BS 23, AM 'V' 68, AM 2502, ACM 'V' 14, ACM 86, PH 28.
The Intelligence Section included the following:
During the early days of May the enemy started the third phase of his general offensive. During the first 10 days of May there were 20 contacts made with VC/NVA units in and around the Bien Hoa/Saigon/Long Binh complexes. These contacts produced a confirmed body count of 1800, making a total of 5000 casualties in the III Corps area since the first of May. During the third week of May enemy, activity throughout the III Corps decreased and activity in the Saigon area was limited to occasional isolated attacks and minor terrorist activities. By the end of May the general decrease in enemy activity in the local area and the increased activity in outlying provinces indicated that the majority of the enemy forces had withdrawn to base areas.
During the period 1 June to 31 July 1968 enemy activity remained light. Captured documents and POW's reports give indication that the enemy had moved to and are still in base areas receiving replacements, supplies, and preparing for another offensive. It is apparent, from the changing troop dispositions, shifting of units, and the adjustment of enemy Order of Battle, that the enemy is going through a very definite period of realignment. This activity is on a greater scale than the previous quiet periods between offensives or phases of offensives. While there is little firm evidence to support it, it would appear that the enemy may, in fact, be changing strategy. Considering the enemy current strength, condition, and disposition, the possibility that the enemy will initiate a major offensive at this time continues to be remote.
The Operations section included the following:
This battalion was committed daily to tasks varying from combat support missions to reinforced battalion size CA operations. Battalion daily requirements of aircraft per lift company have been 10 UH-1D lift helicopters, one C&C helicopter, one maintenance helicopter, and four armed helicopters. The 334th AWC has provided four fire teams and two fireflys. Additionally, each AHC normally employs a UH-1D aircraft equipped with a smoke dispenser during each combat assault operation. A total of 366 smoke missions were flown. During this reporting period, the 145th CAB has been involved in general support of III Corps ARVN and FWMAF operating in the III Corps. These missions have been primarily limited to company size elements which have been reinforced by additional armed support as necessary.
The Bien Hoa Air Base was subject to enemy rocket attacks on six occasions during this reporting period. These attacks occurred as shown below:
DATE, NUMBER OF ROUNDS, DAMAGE TO BATTALION AREA; 7 May 68, 4, 3 Buildings minor damage; 10 May 68, UNK, none; 14 May 68, 7-9, none; 26 May 68, 14, none; 29 May 68, UNK, none; 15 Jun 68, 45, none.
During this reporting period the 145th CAB retained the responsibility of primary C&C of all armed helicopter light fire teams utilized in support of OPLAN Checkmate. A C&C helicopter has been flown by members of this battalion from 2300 - 0400 hours on a nightly basis in support of this plan.
The Training section included the following:
One VNAF aviator received a certificate of graduation at a ceremony conducted at 12th Group HQs. This individual was the only aviator that completed the 90 day training program with this battalion. Other members of his class were transitioned in UH-1D aircraft and released or were transferred to the 214th CAB to attend training designed to qualify them as instructor pilots. On 8 July six VNAF Aviators joined the battalion for transition training. Three of these personnel completed training on 30 July 1968 and were released to rejoin their respective units. The remaining three Aviators are scheduled to complete transition training and then fly operational missions with this battalion for a period of 90 days.
This battalion is receiving a limited number of quotas for attendance at the Naval Survival School in the Philippines. All assigned quotas have been filled.
This battalion continues to receive newly assigned senior officers for in-country orientation and training. The duration of their stay is normally two or three days. Emphasis is placed on the procedures used in planning and conducting airmobile operations and armed helicopter assaults. Individuals are afforded the opportunity to fly on each of the various missions performed by the battalion. Seven such officers received training during this reporting period,
During this reporting period the 334th AWC conducted a test utilizing, the AH-1G Cobra on Firefly missions. The test is continuing and training is being conducted in order to continue the utilization of this aircraft for this highly specialized mission.
The Physical Security section included the following:
The physical security plan has been revised due to the move of the battalion headquarters and three companies during the month of May. Rehearsals and practice alerts have been conducted to insure a rapid response from reactionary forces. Additionally, all bunkers have been repaired or replaced to insure complete protection. A separate telephone communications system has been installed in the battalion operation center with separate lines to each bunker and outpost. Since some posts are manned 24 hours a day, this has greatly improved the security of the battalion.
The Logistics included the following:
POL: The fuel consumption rate of the AAIA refueling point at HAM TAN increased from 3000 gallons to 4000 gallons of JP-4 per week during this reporting period. This 25% increase is due to the increase in the number of airmobile operations being conducted in the HAM TAN area. A weekly flight has been coordinated with the 528th Quartermaster Company to supply fuel to the AAIA as necessary. An operational load of 10,000 gallons of JP-4 currently is being maintained at this location.
Ammunition: New guide-line figures have been received from 12th CAG to be used in computing the battalion basic load and storage levels are being maintained accordingly. This change incorporates the basic load of each unit with the currently authorized operational load and allows for better management of the amount of ammunition at the battalion ammunition point.
The new warheads XM-229 (17.5 lbs) and the proximity fuse (XM-429) are now authorized for operational use and are being stocked at the ammunition point. Beginning next quarter, ammunition will be requisitioned and distributed on the basis of 40% XM-229, and 60% M-151. It is anticipated that 10 to 15% of the M-151's will be equipped with the XM-429 proximity fuse.
Construction: New vertical construction completed during this reporting period consisted of two wood buildings 20' by 60'. These buildings will be used as offices for a portion of the headquarters staff and the unit personnel section.
At the present time engineers are replacing revetments which were originally built on the battalion heliport utilizing self help and CBU containers, with the Army standard revetments. The estimated completion of this project is unknown. Additionally, two technical supply buildings 20' by 90' are being constructed adjacent to the flight line. Estimated completion date of these builds is unknown.
In the battalion contonement area, units are currently constructing day rooms under the self help program. The day rooms are expected to be completed during the next reporting period.
Supply: On 3 July 1968, the battalion received the NOMEX flight suits which had been requisitioned through the 1st Log Command. These flight suits have been issued to the aviators of this command on a two per man basis.
Movement: During this reporting period the battalion completed the move of the HQ element, the 118th AHC and the 334th AWC from its location on Cong Ly street in the city of Bien Hoa to the area on the airbase known as Woodson Compound. This move resulted in all units of the battalion located at Bien Hoa to be quartered in the same location. The name of the battalion compound, Honour Smith Compound, was transferred to the new battalion area from Cong Ly street.
The Safety section included the following:
During the period 1 May 1968 through 31 July 1968, the 145th CAB experienced 5 major accidents and 1 incident resulting in one fatality and six injuries.
In May 1968, the battalion safety office published the first issue of the monthly Aircraft Accident Prevention Bulletin. The present plan is to continue to publish the bulletin on a monthly basis and distribute it to each aviator in the battalion.
During this reporting period the 145th CAB has continued to stress it's new safety program which was initiated during the previous reporting period. This program places emphasis on pilot standardization and education, and improved operational procedures. Since the program was inaugurated, the overall aircraft accident rate has been decreased by 200% compared to the past three year period.
The hover check performed prior to each flight has proven to be an invaluable aid in the reduction of aircraft accidents caused by low RPM on take-off. This pre-take-off check which is used throughout the battalion has proved to be an extremely effective and reliable method of determining available take-off power.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
Comments: LTC Deets, Robert M.; Outgoing CO; ;
LTC Waldron, Gerald L.; Incoming CO; ;
LTC Mills, Robert W.; Outgoing XO; ;
MAJ Fuchs, Edmund L.; Incoming XO; ;
CPT Bannister, William E.; Incoming S-1; ;
MAJ McCown, John E.; Outgoing S-2; ;
MAJ McKinney, Boyce C.; Incoming S-2; ;
MAJ VanPietersom, Donald C.; Outgoing S-4; ;
MAJ Mix, Charles J.; Incoming S-4; ;
MAJ Browning, Henry C.; Outgoing 118 AHC CO; ;
MAJ Ingram, Duane C.; Incoming 118 AHC CO; ;
LTC Shedden, Echols L.; Outgoing 334 AWC CO; ;
MAJ Mikuta, Joel J.; Incoming 334 AWC CO; ;
The source for this information was 145th CAB ORLL ending 31/07/1968 from Jim Bodkin 10/98
Additional information is available on CD-ROM.
Please send additions or corrections to: Gary Roush Email address: webmaster@vhpa.org
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Date posted on this site:
05/13/2023