Southern Cross information
for 16 CAG
D/1/1 CAV

For date 700619


16 CAG was a US Army unit
D/1/1 CAV was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Quang Tin Province, I Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Chu Lai
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "A FINE CUTTING EDGE" by 16th CAG IO. CHU LAI - Trying to find action is the every job of "Delta Troop", but sometimes action finds the troopers instead. Recently the Sabre's went on a mission for the Division in an area 30 miles southwest of Quang Ngai City. On this particular day, it was not difficult to spot the enemy. While working in an assigned area, four of the six choppers on station took fire. A massive complex of defensive positions and structures could be seen. It was decided that the only way to handle the situation was to call in the Air Force to put bomb strikes on the area. The following day, Sabre's returned to the same area to conduct a bombing analysis with two of their choppers and their Aero-Rifle Platoon, the "Blues". They were on station only about five minutes when action took place. Sabre 13, one of the little birds took heavy fire. Noticing he had numerous holes in his fuel cells, his radios, and a wounded observer, Sabre 13 decided to head back to Chu Lai with the wounded man. However, the fuel pouring from his ship forced him to land. Sabre 71, the snake gunship was the first to notice one of his team mates was missing. A quick look around enabled him to pick up a smoke signal from the crew of the downed aircraft. Immediately rolling in with suppressive fire. Sabre 71 and his wingman 76, set the scene for insertion of the "Blues". With a rescue operation now in full swing, the Sabre's extracted both crew and aircraft in less than an hour and a half. Said Sabre 71, "Just another day in the life of a Sabre, that fine cutting edge!" Photo Caption: Division helicopters flying high above the mountains 30 miles southwest of Quang Ngai City, are carrying troopers of the aero-rifle platoon the "Blues". (Photo by SP4 Herbert Brady) (Note: The two helicopter have markings that appear to be 14th Avn Bn. D/1/1st Cav (Sabres), B/123rd Avn Bn., and F/8th Cav were the only Cav/Scout helicopter units that had Aero-Scout infantry personnel. These were all the 123rd Avn Bn as far as I knew. The 14th Avn Bn had either Combat Assault or Hook units during this period of time.)

The source for this information was 7006_322_scr supplied by Les Hines 12/17/2000


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Last updated 12/24/2000

Date posted on this site: 05/13/2023