Pacific Stars and Stripes information
for 1 AVN BDE
ACTIV

For date 680522


1 AVN BDE was a US Army unit
ACTIV was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
South Vietnam
Location, Long Binh
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "1st Aviation Brigade Marks 2nd Anniversary." Photo Captions 1.) The AH1G Huey Cobra - latest addition adds firepower to the 1st Aviation Bridade 2.) Maj. Gen. Robert R. Williams 3.) As a flying crane sets a howitzer down a groundcrewman rushes to load a chinook on a supply run. Long Binh (IO) - The 1st Aviation Brigade, commanded by Maj. Gen. Robert R. Williams will celebrate its second anniversary Friday. During its two years as the mainstay of Army aviation in Vietnam, the brigade's more than 2,000 fixed and rotary wing aircraft have flown every type of mission, including combat assaults , direct fire support, aerial reconnaissance and surveillance, medical evacuation, troop lift and cargo lift. More than 5 million troops, the equivalent of nearly 312 infantry divisions have been lifted in more than 2.9 million sorties. Most of these troops were combat infantrymen helilifted in combined arms airmobile assaults into tactical landing zones. Helicopter gunships and "Slick" door gunners have killed 10,556 Viet Cong and NVA, sand nearly 10,000 supply sampans and destroyed more than 10,400 enemy structures and fortifications. The brigade has participated in such well known operations as Junction City, Malheur, Wheeler, Attleboro, Coronado, Klamath Falls, Cedar Falls, Yellowstone, Pershing, Thayer and Hawthorne. Brigade aircraft have airlifted 584,929 tons of cargo, ranging from artillery pieces and ammunition to pigs and rice for displaced Vietnamese refugees. The brigade began its second year with 39 companies, 10 battalions and two group, a personnel strength of 14,000 officers with 86 companies, 16 battalions, three air cavalry squadrons, four groups and more than 25,000 officers and men. The three air cavalry squadrons have given the field commanders increased reconnaissance and intelligence collection capability, a mobile reaction force and increased fire power. The AH1G Huey Cobra gunship, designed as an attack helicopter, has surpassed all expectations by outperforming the Huey B and C model gunships in firepower, speed, maneuverability and range. The U21 command aircraft and the OH6 "Cayuse" light observation helicopter were also welcome additions to the brigade fleet. The "Cayuse" has replaced the OH-13 "Sioux" and OH23 "Raven" as the eyes and ears of the air Cavalry squadrons, providing the scout crews with more speed, agility and firepower. The brigade's air crewmen and ground support crews have designed, tested and used many items of equipment and weapons which are now, or soon will become, standard equipment. As an example, in response to a brigade request, a smoke producing device was developed by the Limited War Laboratory for attachment to the engine exhaust of the UH-1. This innovation permits the delivery of smoke to screen the landing phase of airmobile assault operations. The smoke obstructs the enemy's vision and denies him a target. As assault helicopters make their approach, a single ship flies along one side of the landing zone emitting a cloud of white smoke from its exhaust to obscure the landing zone. Brigade units have developed and perfected techniques for night combat assaults which have proved successful in the central highlands of Vietnam. Through close liaison with such agencies at ACTIV (Army Concept Team in Vietnam), U.S. Army Limited War Laboratory Natick Laboratories and AMC (Army Materiel Command), lead time on development of new equipment has been reduced. Such equipment includes the Nomex fire retardant flight suit, individual and installed protective armor for aviators and crewmen, a new ballistic helmet, new and improved navigational aids, avionics gear and airfield control equipment. Brigade units are dispersed from the DMZ to the Delta, so centralized direction of civic action projects is not practical. However, brigade units under the operation control of Field Force Commanders, the Third Marine Amphibious Force Commander and the Senior Advisor IV Corps have moved entire populations of Vietnamese villages with all their belongings from enemy infested areas to secure resettlement camps. Aviation units also have repaired school buildings, constructed clinics and developed new water systems. Through the Medical Civic Action Program, hundreds of villagers have been given medical and dental aid and instruction in proper sanitation procedures. In a war fought in swamps, rice paddies, canopied jungles and mountains and in a climate exacting of men and machines, the support provided by the 1st Aviation Brigade enables commanders to take the war to the enemy, even in his most obscure base areas.
Comments: MG Williams, Robert R.; 1st Avn Bde CG; ;

The source for this information was 6805pss.avn supplied by Les Hines


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Last updated 02/23/2000

Date posted on this site: 05/13/2023