UNCLASSIFIED

AD NUMBERAD392635

CLASSIFICATION CHANGES

TO: unclassified

FROM: confidential

LIMITATION CHANGES

TO:

Approved for public release, distributionunlimited

FROM:

AUTHORITY14 May 1980 per group-4 document markings;Adjutant General's Office, D/A ltr, 29 Apr1980

THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED

CONFIDENTIALDEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

AOFFICE OF THE ADJUTANT GENERALWASHINGTON. D.C. 20310

IN RIPLY RFFFERTO

AGAM-P (M) (22 Aug 68) FO -RD 82127 5 September 1968

SUBJECT.• , Lessons LearnedHeIdurters, 7t7)SJT quadron 17th Air Cavalry -600a)

SSEE DISTRIBUTION

1. Subject'trpbit isforwaid'f"'- review andYevaluat-on n accorda,Swith paragraph 5b, AR 525-15. Evaluations and corrective actions should

be reported to ACSFOR OT RD, Operational Reports Branchwithin 90 daysof receipt of covering letter. i • .; -

42.Information contained in this report is provided to Insure that th -Army realizes current benefits from lessons learned during recent opera-tions.

3. To insure that the information provided through the Lessons LearnedProgram is readily available on a continuous 'basis, a cumulative LessonsLearned Index containing alphabetical listings of items appearing in thereports is compiled and distributed periodically. Recipients of the-. attached report are encouraged to recommend items from it for inclusionin the Index by completing and returning the self-addressed form provided

-4 O M •.at the end of this report.

V3 BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY:r Zt

L•-- CD .

" 41Incl KENNETH G. WICKHAM944., a) 0 as Major General, USA

11 • : The Adjutant General

0 - viDISTRIBUTION: DJ C4 . 4Commanding Generals JU

C) US Continental Army Command . E1fl 'E I

US Army Combat Developments Command . E 2 J.,!U ommandants-a.~. US Army War College

sk . US Army Command and General Staff CollegeLSUS Army Adjutant General SchoolI , US Army Air Defense School

4 0 40 1 US Army Armor SchoolUS Army Artillery and Missile School Regraded unclassified when se ...a..US Army Aviation School from classified inclosure.

- .CONFIDENTIAL

. =4 -4 ,-k3 M+ O

•,$ .}; U UTmion 0

Ai .• .• ...............................

,.,. °.. •..o.. °°..........°.,.o.....

::TlNb/AY ItMIMITY Mr3s

DJ31BUTION (Conttd)"US Army Chemical SchoolUS krmy Civil Affairs SchoolUS hrmy Engineer SchoolUS &rmy Infantry School

-US- army Intelligence SchoolUS Army .Medical Field Service SchoolUS Army Military Police School"US Army Missile and Munitions SchoolUS Army Ordnance SchoolUS Army Quartermaster SchoolUS Army Security Agency SchoolUS Army Signal SchoolUS Army Southeastern Signal SchoolUS Army Special Warfare SchoolUS Army Transportation School

Copies furnished:Office, Chief of Staff, US ArmyDeputy Chiefs of StaffChief of EngineersChief of Research and DevelopmentAssistant Chiefs of StaffThe Surgeon GeneralThe Provost Marshal, GeneralResearch Analysis CorporationOSD(SA), Assistant for Southeast Asia ForcesDirector, Weapons Systems Evaluation GroupDefense Documentation CenterSecurity Officer, Hudson InstituteJoint Action Control OfficeCommanding Generals

US Army Weapons CommandUS Army Materiel Command

"Commanding Officers2d Battalion, 138th Artillery7th Squadron, 17th Air CavalryUS Army Limited War LaboratoryUS Army Logistics, Doctrine Systems & Readiness Agency

2

XI

,L. l~..~..

CONFIDENTIALDEPARTMENT OF THE ARM

Headqwrters, 7th Squadron, 17th Air CavalryAPO San Francisco, 96262

Ruthless Riders

AVGD-G-3 14 May 1968

SUBJrXT: Operational Report for Quarterly Period 30 April 1968 RCS CSFOR-65 (U)

TO: Sse DistriLution

Secticn )Operations

ýi.t$)5\f ant ActivitiesS (1) fring the periodF••e Squadron worked in AOts vici-:

nity Kontum, Dpk To and Northwest of Pleiku ty. Delta Troop was on theground West of Kontum City in support of th 1/22 Infantry and fought through-out the battle for the city. The Air Cay oops conducted aerial recon-naissance missions in zones throughout the AOs:s During this period the Squad-ron killed 24 NVA/VC.

(?)-:-During the period, 8 - 14 F bthe Sauadron supported OperationMaciwtbo•_, 6v -rking in AO SPAATZ near nt-m City and Northwest of PleikuCity, Uhe Snuadron continued to suppo the 1/22 Infantry operation nearKoni -C.kty by conducting aerial rec6o issance missions in zones. DeltaTroop -as employed to secure the Airfield at Kontum City. In AO SPAATZ, insuppoý' cf the 1st Bde, 4th Inf Div, the Squadron conducted recon in zone pick-ing up spiai. enemy elements throughout the area. While in direct support ofthe 2nd 'Bde, 4th Inf Division Northwest of Pleiku City the Squadron found nume-rous trail systems and bunker complexes indicating enemy movement from Westto Enst in the vicinity of Plei Mrong. The Squadron accounted for 14 NVA/VCKIA during this week of operation.

(3) 1;5 - Z1 Feb 68 - Sauadron supported Operation MacArthur byconducting aerial reconnaissance in AO SPAATZ vicinity of Dak To, and KontumCity in support of VF 1/22 and West and Northwest of Pleiku City in support ofthe 2nd Bde, 4th In: Division. The majority of the effort was spent nearPleiku City where the Squadron continued to find evidence of enemy infil-%ration from West to East. The Squadron accounted for 5 NVA/VC KIA and cap-tured 2 small arms.

(4) 22 - 29 Feb 68 - Squadron supported Opn MacArthur by providingaerial reconnais-sance in AOts in the vicinity of Plei'Mrong And Kontum Cityin support of TF 1/22, 173rd Airborne and the 2nd Bde, 4th Inf Div. Duringthis period the Supdron detected port of the enemy elements infiltrating inthe Plei Mrong area. This action triggered the movement of the 173rd Abn

.Bdeto the Kontum _nra. During this period the Squadron accounted_for 32

:'or DOWNGRADED AT 3 YEAR INTEKVALS;SDECLASSIFIED AFTER 12 YEARS.

CONFDENIALDdD DIRS5200.1OSs o.H

~ I

S... .. ... . . . ........ ....... :., . . •o .. . .,: •• .. :. ,• :• . .. : ,: •• ... ..- . .. • .:,:... .... • . .. •, ., ... . . .. • -- •--- •• • "i -'- - ' .. ' ..... . ; i'' '' ' • . . .' . . i. ... '.... ' '

CONFIDENTIAL

NVA/VC*KIA qnd 7 POWZs. It also captured 4,250 rounds .of.' small arms ammo,215 rounds of crew served ammo, 5 individual weapons, and 6 crew served wed-pons. In addition the unit captured 41 packs, some conitaining valuable docu-ments and over 100 Tb8 of medical supplies.

(5) 1 - 7 Mgrch 68 - The Scuadron supported Operation MacArthur byproviding aerial reconnaissance ihi AO's of the:: 2nd;Bde,"4th!Inf. Div, 173rdAbn Bde and TF 1/12 rear Ban Me. Thuot., The Sauadron was 'credited with 9 NVAKIA and captured I PQW. .... ..

(6) 8 a- 15 March 68 - The Squadron supported Operation MacArthurby providing aerial reconnaissance in the AO's of the 173rd Abn and the 2ndBde, 4th Inf Div. During this week the Souadron was credited with 40 NVAKIA, capturing 4000'rounds of small arms ammo, 46 rounds of crew L'servwd am=,

12 individual weapons, 1 crew served weapon, 4000 pounds of rice ond 15individual pauks.

(7) 16'- 22 March 68 - The Souadron performed reconnaissance mis-sions in support of the 1st. Bde and the 2nd Bde of the 4th Inf' Division andthe 173rd Abn B43. Totals credited to the Sauidron for this period include14 NVA KIA, 5 inidividusl weapons captured and 10 individual packs captured.

(8) 23 -. 31 March 68 - The Snuadron performed reconnaissance mis-sions in support of the 1st and 2nd Bde of the 4th Inf Division, the 173rdAbn Bde and TY 1/12. This was one of the slowest periods encountered by theSquadron. To'Gals for this period were 8 NVA KIA.

(9) 1 - 7 Apr 68 - The first week of April the Souadron-supportedthe 1st Fnd 3rd Bde's in an area from Dak To South to Polei Kleng, concentra-ting on the area West and Southwest of Polei Kleng. The Sqouadron also sup-ported TF '1/12 North of Ban Me Thuot. Totals for the week were 8 NVA KIA.

(10) 8 - 14 Apr 68 - During this week the Souadron concentrated inthe areq North of Ban Me Thuot in support of TF 1/12. Two days support was de-voted t4 the 3rd Bde West of Polei Kleng. Totals of the week were 3 )IVA KIA.

(11) 15 - 21 Apr 68 - Efforts during this week were again concenz..trateo in the Plei Trap area West of Polei Kleng in support of the 3rd Bde, 4thInf liv, Totals for this period were 11 NVA KIA.

i (12) 22 - 30 Apr 68 - The Squadron continued its reconnaissance mis-siob in the area West of Polei Kleng in support of the 3rd Bde, One daylseffort was directed to the area of a suspected enemy buildup in the DOR rekarew North of Dak To. Squadron totals for the week included 2.NVA KIA.

(13) During the reporting period elements of this Squadron con-

d'ucted 17 days of training and conducted operational missions for 89 days.

(14) PIO Activities during the period 1 Feb - 30 Apr 68.

a. Feature stories submitted 50i " -

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..,.,. .' . ...-- I.

* CONFIDENTIAL

b. Hometown news releases submitted i-.0,

c, Television feature stories 4.

d. During the period covered by this report the PIO opera-tions hAve improved considerably. The Soudron now has a photographer and-PlO clerk. The only° shurbcomings in the PIO program is the lack of faci-lities and ecuipmcnt, however, support is being obtained on a limited basisfrom 17th Combat Avintion Group Headcuarters and 4th Division Sigzml Bat-

talion.

(15) Special Services activities for the period 1 Feb - 30 A=r68.I

a. During the reporting period a total of 2 out of countryR and R cuotno were received, of these _ ouotas were filled. A totalof j.Q in-country R and R ouotas for enlisted personnel were received and10 were filled. Five quotps were received for officer personnel and •were utilized.

b, Recreational facilities within the Souadron have im-"proved during the reporting period. Approval for erection of Officers,NCO, And E14 clubs hAs been obtained. A mobile PX Van is now located inthe $ruadron area. Personnel of this unit are still authorized to useall facilities provided by the 4th Division Special Services Office,

(164) Awards and Decorations.

a., Total number of awards And decorations submitted duringthis reporting period:

Silver Star - 23Legion of Merit - 6Distinguish Flying Cross - 34Soldierts Med6l - 8Bronze Star w/V device - 22Air Medal w/V device - 32Army Commendation Medal w/V device - 6Bronze Stsr for Service - 15Air Medal - 57Army Commendation Medal - 2Purple Heart - 42

Total number of awards and decorations approved and returned during thisperiod - 279.

B.(,)There have been no significant changes or additions to the Squad-ron mission, however, it is reconmended that the air cavalry Souadron beemployed as an entity'with all organic elements under Squadron control.This action will generate maximum combat reconnaissance under the controlof the SouAdron Commander. The air cavalry Squadron is best employed in 4support of a larger %nit, ig US Division rather than having the subordinate

CONFIDENTIAL * .

........................................... .... .. .. ....... ..

CONFIDENTIAL

units removed from Souiadron control Pnd placed in direct support or at-tached to battAlion sized imits. Under rpre or unusual combat situa-tions it may be necess,,ry to violate this reconrendation; but employ.ýment of Squadron assets on a piece mesl basis should never be considerednornal or standard.

Ctt)C Troop '7/1 7t7bh Air CPv re-desimnated F Troop, 8th Cav and as-r3igned to tbe k4ex.i'cL Dirision. C. Troop, 7/17ch Cav assigned to Ft.Knox, Kentbuiky leo, personnel Pnd equipment.(Incl 1)

DC)Significnnt Personnel Changes,

() Scndron CormAnder - 31 MLirch 1968

LTC Stephen F. C,,meron 062328

vice"LTC Lawrence H. Johnson Jr. 069702

(2) Squadron S-I - March 1968

CPT Lawrence R. Kenyon 05312030vice

HAJ R•ty J. Hill 01940085

(3) Sauadron S-2 - March 1968

MAJ Charles L. Brown Jr. 082446vice

MAJ Robert 0. Cook 084144

(4) Scruadron S-2 - April 1968

No Assipuuentvice

MAJ Charles L. Brown Jr. 082446

(5) A Troop Commander - ay 1968

MAJ Richr'VcV. Doty OF110656

MAJ Robert A. Inglett 086301

(6) Aviation Safety Officer - May 1968

MAJ Robert A. Inplett 086301vice

OPT Lawrence R. Kenyon 05312030

(7) Deputy Squadron ConwLiander - April 1968

MAJ J~mes D. Marett 04023646

CONFIDENTIAL

S. . . . . . . . . .. . . . .- ., . . . . . . . . .. . . . . : ",

I.

'7 CONFIDENTIALSection I

Subordinate Ex'Lar Total \Unit Aut, 0/%! Auth O/H Auth O/H Auth O/1H

H.P. 2: ,3 7 7 182 193 213 220

, '.-p . e 16 30 31 21 120 169 167

B Prp I8 16 30 27 121 127 169 170iD Trr 5 . . 127 125 132 13040tbh C 1 1 3 0 152 106 156 107

"V, 17 C , ,v&S 56 8 70 65 703 671 839 794

(2) M:i.vi"'An

61ukordlixte DAC VN 3d NARL Contractfnift .Axbh O/H Auth 0/H .Auth ..D/H Auth 0/H

0 8 a 0 0 0 0A -'Irp . 0 8 a- 0 0 0. 0

f., f) 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 1D r 0 0 7 5 0 0 0 O .'J+0)t-h TC 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 8

7/. Cav 0 0 31 26 0 0 10 8

•Sc:.. Uion It. Aircrpft Statu a/o 30 April 1968 (Incl 2)

g,. Operational Results a/o 30 April 1968 (Incl 3)

-5-..

CONFIDENTIALo.1

," ,•P

CONFIDENTIAL 1Section II. (C) Lessons Learned: Commanders Observation, Evaluation, andRecommendation.

A. (C) Personnel.

(1) DEROS Humo - The Squadron has continued to infuse bothofficer and enlisted personnel to decrease the squadron rotational humpin September and October. Due to the Squadron being the only unit of itskind in the 17th Group, certain MOS's are difficult to infuse. The Squad-ron has effected minimal infusion of these MOSTs with the 4th InfantryDivision. However, due to the large quantity of people that the 4thDivision also has rotating in September and October, personnel that canbe infused with the Division is also limited. The lack of available in-.fusion recources will necessitate the overlapping of personnel gainsand losses in August, September, and October in order to negate the lossof critical personnel in September and October.

(2) Operation of Squadron S-1 and Personnel Section.

a. Lack of adequate equipment: The Squadron TOE does notinclude a personnel section. The augmentation to the Squadron of a per-sonnel section authorized nine typewriters. The personnel section has been inoperation since October, yet requisitions have been filled for only three type-writers. The lack of adequate equipment seriously hampers the effectiveoperation of this section.

b. Shortage of qualified personnel. The personnel sectionis presently short a personnel officer, personnel sergeant, and two clerks.During May the section will lose the asst personnel sergeant and a clerk.Presently there are no inbound replacements.

(3) Recreation and Religious Facilities.

a. The Squadron has an established 16mm movie account. Aprojector was issued but became inoperatable after several weeks. Theprojector was turned in for repair but has been returned to the Squadronas unrepairable. Due to a shortage of projectors the Squadron has beenunable to obtain a replacement.

b. Religious Facilities. Prior to 23 Feb 1968 the Squadronwas without a Chaplain and had to rely on the 4th Infantry Division for I

.Chaplain coverage; but on that date a Chaplain was assigned to the Squadronto provide a broader and more continuous religious program. Shortly afterhis arrival a temporary chapel was constructed in the Squadron areaand the first worship service was held there on 17 March 1968. The re-ligious program of the chapel now includes a Catholic and two Protes-tant worship services each Sunday as well as Protestant and Catholicmidweek services.

B. (C) Operations.

(1) Observation - Personnel Evacuation Hoists

Evaluation: On approximately ten (10) separate occassionsthe Squadron has had a requirement to insert assistance teams thru jungle

6 CONFIDENTIAL

I1

CONFIDENTIAL

canopy to assist in the rescue of downed crewmen and the evacuation of1

critical equipment. To do this it has been necessary to rappel per-sonnel into the jungle knowing full well we had no capability of ex-tracting them with organic equipment. It hasbeen necessary to call DustOff to evacuate personnel and equipment using their hoist capability. Onmany occasions Dust Off was not readily available,leaving personnel onthe ground for a prolonged period. If the Squadron had organic hoistcapability more expeditions and rapid extractions could be accomplished.This Squadron has had six (6) hoists and related equipment on requisi-tion since December 1967.

Recommendation: That each air cavalry troop be issued two(2) personnel hoists with related equipment on activation.

(2) Observation: Destruction of Structures:

Evaluation: The Squadron has had the responsibility ofdestroying temporary NVA/VC structures utilizing a ground force. Thegeneral procedure used is a complete search of each structure by thelead squad, for the purpose of capturing weapons, ammunition, documentsand medical food supplies. The acquisition of these items not onlydenies the enemy the use of the equipment, but also technical intel-ligence is gathered. After the search procedure is completed, the lastsquad has the responsibility to destroy the structures. By having thelead squad destroy the structures the following problems are created:

a. Smoke from the burning structures marks the positionof the friendly unit.

b. Smoke provides a screen for the enemy forces to with-draw or advance on the friendly elements.

c. Booby traps and other explosives are detonated by theheat created there-by endangering the troops.

d. The smoke and heat produced hinders the search of theentire complex.

Recommendation: That the last squad or platoon thru thestructure complex be assigned the responsibility of destroying the struc-tures after the rest of the unit has completed the search. This affordsthe lead element to set up defensive positions on the outskirts of thecomplex and only a minimum of personnel are endangered by the burningstructures.

C. (C) Triig(1) Observation: Rappelling

Evaluation: The problem of inserting ground elements intoa jungle crew without benefit of a landing zone became quite evident.

7

CONFIDENTIAL

V; CONFIDENTIAL

b,

upon our early arrival into RVN. The idea of rinppeIingpbemcnne ouiteevident, Thru the coordinated effort of E Co, 20th Infpntry (LTWF),one aero-rifle platoon w,s trained in the technieue o- r'appollinr'i±toa jungled area. Additionally one platoon of engineers received simi.ilar training with the idea of inserting a small protect ive force (aerorifle platoon) and then insertinz an engineer platoon trained for thepurpose of building one or two ship landing zones in an area otherwiseinaccessible. This trAinin! has been very seccessfu) not only for in-sertion with the engineer-force, but also to insert a protective forcein support-of crashed aircraft And the rescue of other downed nircfaft

* crews.

Recommendation: That bach aero rifle platoon in the airt.i -.lry troop be trained in the technioue of nmpe]Unp.

".DC0)intelliPence: None

E.(o)jLop~tics: None

F" Orpanization: None

:(I) 0sevrvt Aon: ,ircrrft Xaintcnance Facilities.

Evaluation: Aircraft maintenance facilities continues tobe a maijor problem. The area has been Pnd continues to be extremelydusty makinfy it nlmust impossible to insure complete cle!nliness duringtear x'hwr rild build ur of cmaponents to include removal •nd instAlla-tion of items. ?%o hnnnar or hangar sheds have been constructed to date..Lack of these facilities vwill further hamper the maintenance mission ofthis unit during the monsoon sepson,

Recoimmendations: Construction priorities be reviewed to deter-

mine the possibility of upgrading the priority for construction ofaviation mninternnce facilities 7nd dust free parking areas.

(2) Observation: RepAir Parts (Aircraft)

pvaluation: It continues to be dif"icult to receive re-pair prts on a timely basis in the Dragon Yountpin area. Some reliefwas obtained when the Ylorthern depot at Qui Nhon was opened in Vebruary,1968, however within the last few days of this ouarter the restriction onissue of parts until the reouisition has cleared tVe Spigon Depot (AM4Cof the 34th Cren Sup rp) adds a considerable time delay for receipt ofparts. This forces the units into A cannibalizati on progrm and, inturn, increases the mwintenance mwn-hours reouired to nin+.ain aircraft.

Recommendation: The 34th (,en Sup Gp (AM&S) wvaluate theprocedures for the reouisitioning of repair parts in RVN .o increasethe effic-ency of the supply system.

CONFIDENTIAL 8

S!J

CONFIDENTIAL(3) 'Observ-tion: Quill Assembly, F.3 1615--83;-b303

• i Evalu-tion: This unit h~s expeienced considerable down.time on UH- type aircraft due to this component leskinp, trrnsmissionoil and non availAbility of repl~cements. .During this report period-forty (40) assemblies h,-ld to be replpced,

SRecommendation: Hiher HeidauArters revietw actutl versesprogreaed renlAcements of this comronent to determine if a productimprovenent might be w~rr~nted.

FOR THE CO.YVANDER:

3 Ici i1:-'" flPENXCE i, .as CPT, IN

Adjutant

Distribution.3 cy thru: 17th CAG

thrui 1st Avn Bdethru: USARV

*thru: USARt ACto: ACSFOR DA

2.cy to: USA1TAC3 cy to; USARV2 cy to.: Ise Avn Bde

CO NFID EN TI AL

k .:m-

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

. '!

L'. . . . . ..;...

2'" CONFIDENTIAL

AVGD-SC (1.4 -Lay 68) 1st IndSU3•JECT: Operational Report for Quarterly Period 30 April 1968

RCS CSFCIIo-65 (u)

Headquarters, 17th Combat Aviation Group, ANO 96240 24 May 1968

TO: Commanding General, I Field Forces Vietnan, APO 96350

1. (U) This headquarters has reviewed the Cperational Report-LessonsLearned for the quarterly period ending 30 April 1968 from IHeadquarters,7th Armored Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry.

2. (C) The following coiiurients and recon,'endations on Section 2 aresubmitted for review and approval.

a. Referc:nce item concerning Personnel, Section II, A, (1): TheDEOCS 11huip within the squadron is a definite problem. Infusion is beingaccoumplished by the 17th Combat Aviation Group to overcome the severityof the situation.

b. Reeference item concerning Personnel, Section i, As (2), a:Concur. The critical shortage of typewriters of all types is recognizedthroughout the coz.dn. The unit 's only recotrse is to requisition thetypewriters in accordance with the procodures established for requisi-tioning Command Controlled Itexa-s.

c. Reference item concerning Personnel, Section I1, A, (2), b:The personnel section of the squadron has been assigned a personnelofficer and four (4) personnel clercs within the past 30 days. This.w ill help solve the shortage of qualified per6sodel.

d. Reference item concerning Personxel -vacuation hoist" , Section Il,Part i3, para (1): Concur. The hoists were reqUisitioned by the unit on7350. Follow-up action was initiated by this headcuarters on 7 iay 68and 19 May 68. 1st Aviation 1riCiade has not been able to determine status.

e. Reference item concerning Destruction of Structures, Section I1,l, (2): The rocoamendaed procedui:e has rorit. * econmi-end that the squadronconduct a zniuber ofL destruction-of-structurc.s ,issions utilizing vatryingmethods, Vrom the degree of success obtained they should be able to pro-vide some valid data concerninC which is the best eothod to conduct suchoperations.

f. Reference item concerning Rappelling, Section II, C, (1): Concur.RappellinL has- proved to, be a successful ircens of inse•-tinlL troops into

inaccessable areas.

... CONFIDENTIAL I

/0

CONFIDENTIAL.

AvGD-sc (14 ma'y 68)SUBJECT: Operational Report for Quarterly Period 30 April 1968

acs CSFOri-65 (U)

g. Reference item concerninL, Aircraft 1.Iaint.e;cncc Facilities,Section IC, Part G, patra (1): Concur. DuCt suppression and the lackof adequate mLaintenance facilitiLs at Coxip Enari have boon the subjectsof numerous correspondence to the 4÷th Inffantry Division and 1st AviationDrigado. At present the only sol':tion offered by U-6:0,V to the dust pro-blem is the application of peneprime. l'enoprime is at best a costly andtemporary solution. A mainteniance hanger is trý_gently needed, howiever,nothinIg is proLranm.•ed for installation. 13y agreement with all partiesconcerned, base development and improvement projects are to be submittedfor approval thr~oug6h the 4th Infantry Division.

h. Reference iteii. concerning Repair Parts (Aircraft), Section II,para G, (2): 11on-concur at this time. The restriction on the issue ofparts from 241st Depot at Qui 1.hon has affected the tine required forreceipt of parts by some units in the 17th Combat Aviation Group, Thisrestriction, however, has only recently been enforced. At this pointit appears that some units within 17th Combat Aviation Group may benefitfrom this change while others may not. Therefore it appears to be tooearly to malce a determination at this tine, Rccom.iond a reevaluationbe made at the end of thirty days.

14. Reference item concerning Quill Assembly, Section II, pa)ra G,(3): Concur. Leading transiudssion input quill seals have been d seriousproblem within 17th Combat Aviation Group; particularly for units in theCentral Hihlilands. This situation is considered to be a serious problemat the 34th GSC and at higher echelons, because of the large number ofEquipment Improvement Recomznendations which have been subaitted. Unitswithin 17th Combat Aviation Group are continuin- to subtit Equipmentflnprovement Recoramicndations on this item. There has been no apparent Iimprovement in the reliability of subject quill seal. Strongly reconmmendimprovement of this component.

FOR TIM O01,2.tFDER:

/

."1LT, AGOAdjutant

CONFIDENTIAL

I Itif I.:*

r7

"AVFA-GC-OT (14 may 68) 2d Ind.i , 'SUBJEOT: Operational Report of 7th Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry for

Period rmding 30 April 1968, RIOS CsF0R-65 (RI)

DA, IHeadquarters 2 I Field Force Vietnam, APO 96350 8 JUN 1980

TO: Commanding General, 1st Aviation Brigade, APO 96307

This headquarters has evaluated subject report and indorsement and

concurs in the report.

SFOR THE C00 m•AsDE:

•~ ILTo A9

C opy- furmishedt AlT• A)3J1TANr GENERALl17th CAG

I .

ii

' fg .- , . .

_______.________________________.__________

CONFIDENTIALann.C~ (14 68) 3d rndST.DUCT OT: rr=tiolnal Re~oort of. 7th Smadro2I, 17th A*ir %vc-,zrY for Per* od

Tdi7nC; 30 1pri 2,~ ~SC~ZG65 (M) (12)

Heoadquarters, lot Aviation Brigiade, JIýO JUN 25 '968

71 1.: Comani-,i(U"r Geeoral, U~nited ý;t'atecs 24':Ty Victmnm, Iv.2'Th: 101GC-DST:

Co~adcr n Cief, Uniteod "itatoo Aruy Pacific, ATT1: P-0P-CTM'O 96558

10O: lizoctant Chief o-:- 'Staff for 2'ozoo ]Yvelo~nion, Do,,-crtr.nt of the Army.,T~sii~onD. 0. 20310

1. (U) Thio 1,eadoiuart-crs hao roviewred this roeort, considers it to be adecuate,and concurs xi'ith 'dhe con!6ents as indoroed.

2. (C) 'Lie fol2.om~incj add.itional corzioint is conoidered -oortineo:it:

for Pa.-rp 11G~~ (1, aQ ". intonz);,c fci~t have second p-riori-t~yfrcons~truction. Ti wyhjerpriorityý-i tw~c-ical roi lreonts for baso

soctuxity * Thi-d headqutartero recoinmaendo tizv116 U6-4AýCAV m~onitor the i~enopri;ý,e andImitnnoacaasphialt proC~rw~i closely to insure that this 7,ateriall _-,s usod for airfields Cand

b. Para~raph 2dp lot Indoraemont. lot Aviatio xr~d u~~ fio aunable to. locate a valid requisition foi' the hoist at ICC. Unit wasl 110tiaiodto re-requisition tmruch 34tV1 General Otin ort Groupo, but adv-ised th'at 'irot

priority for the hoist is the !.edica-l -1uZiis =d th1at the, hoizst-s are in short

JOHN D. MISLJR.C(P T. A 6(CAssistant Adjutant General

I CON FIDENTI AL

....... .. .. ...I

t7. CONFIDENTjAL-

A.V-iGC-DST (14 May 68) 4th Ind (C) C1T Arnold/dls/LBN 4485SUBJECT: Operational Report for Quarterly Period 30 April 1968 RCS CSFOR-65

fISPADQUARTERS, US ARMY VIETNAM, APO San Francisco 9 63 7 5 15 JUL S168

TO: Commander in Chief, United States Army, Pacific,, ATTN: GPOP-DT,APO 96558

1. (U) This headquarters has reviewed the Operati6nal Report-LessonsLearned for the quvrterly period ending 30 April 1968 from Headcuarters,.7th Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry.

2. (C) Comments follow:

a. Reference item concerning aircraft maintenance facilities, page 8,paragraph g(l); and 3d Indorsement, paragraph 2a:

(1) Nonconcur with recomomendatiou. As of this date, there are nopro-engineered metal hangars available in-country. The following actionhas been taken to rectify the situation.

(a) Requisitlons have been sent back to CONUS for 23 (75' x 2021)hangars and 3 (175' x 190') hangars.

(b) In lieu of these metal hangars, wooden hangars have been con-structed ms a mnintenance facility for UH-lA and related aircra1ft. The?/17th Cav hns two wooden modulAr hangars nllocsted and this hepdouprtersis Pwaiting a 1391 to proress an additional hangpr. These hangars willprovide this unit with covered maintenance cAptbility,

(c) Dust palliqtives, such as "eneprime, should be Ppplied tosu rounding area to reduce dirt and dust conditions whiph hamper effectivemaintenance operations.

(2) Nonconcur with recormendation contained in 3d IndorsemenL,paragraph 2a. The following action is recommended:

(a) Since peneprime is c!onsidered a season'l item, requisitionsshould bu submitted through the xainy season so as to acouire amuntneeded for fututre requiremen'd. This will enable depots to replenishtheir stocks aad maintain a balance on the item. If USAECAV monitoredpenaprinme, a prcblolm would arine with regrrd to divisional units drawingthis item. For this reason, presenv policy concerning peneprime shouldbe maintained.

14

Mn1

CONFIDENTIAL

AVHGC-DST (14 May 68) 4th Ind (C) 15 JUL L9SUBJECT: Operational Report for Quarterly Period 30 April 1968 RcS CSFOR-65

(b) Asphalt has top priority with regard to LOC construction.Present policy concerning asphalt should be maintained.

b. Reference item concerning repair parts, page 8, paragraph g(2);and 1st Indorsement, paragraph 2h: Nonconcur. The Qui Nhon AviationDepot is not staffed nor equipped to act as a DSU. It does not have astock control capability to accept and process requisitions. Allrequisitions must be initially processed at USAfOIC which maintains thecentralized computer balance file on the USARV aircraft repair partsassets. The recently installed AUTODIN system will speed-up thetransceiver time between USAMMC and the Qui Nhon Aviation Depot whichwill result in faster service to the customer.

c. Reference item concerning quill assembly, FSN 1615-83-0303,page 9; and 1st Indorsement, paragraph 2i: Concur. Bell HelicopterComparny and USAAVCOM are currently working on this problem area.Units should continue to submit an EIR when the problem is encountered.

FCR THE COMKtXDýR:

C. S. NA ATSUKASACaptain. AGCAssistant Adjutant Geafsal

Cy furr,:HQ 7th Sqdn, 17th Air CarXQ 1st Avn BdI

15

CONFIDENTIAL-.--

iq GPOP-DT (14 May 68) 5th Ind (U)SUBJECT: Operational Report of HQ, 7th Squadron, 17th Air Cay for

Period Ending 30 April 1968, RCS CSFOR-65 (RI)

HQ, US Army, Pacific, APO San Francisco 96558 1 5 AUG 1968

TO: Assistant Chief of Staff for Force Development, Department of theArmy, Washington, D. C. 2031.0

This headquarters has evaluated subject report and forwarding indorse-ments and concurs in the report as indorsed.

FOR THE CO0NMANDER IN CHIEF:

C.L. SHORnY

CPT, AGCAsst AG

L.

.1

CONFIDENTIAL

H -

1 L

7\1i

7 -CONFIDENTIALK -

'2 Incl CONFIDENTIAL

7th Sodn, 17th Air n~v AircrAft StAtus30 April 1968

Subiordiwte o'Yq6A !'-1 J1H - Uz-6.____ 01i Puh.h OH OH -Auth S OHiL

1 H;0 0 5 124 0 1 1

,A Trp 81 Il 6 6 0 0

B Trp 110 9 11 9 6 6 0 0

_o 0o 0 oo 1 o o 0iho..... 0 -. ..... ...

7/17 Air.Cav 20 17 27 18 14 17 0 1

I

II

I,

S.--~.-~.-.. ....... ... . . . ..

COfNFIONECIIIA

LX4,I Z

3 Incl. CONFIDENTIAL 2.

Oertl.onnl Results

- - 1I22~ Remo rk§

Sorties Flovmw 9)4.33 io) 2z 6,658

Troops Lifted :1 AI3 3,231 0,234

Enemy "V.A 76 :11 24

POW 7 1 0

Structures/Dest 142 27 22

-. ae cpt/jest t600/0 4000/0 0/0

SA t.7ro Opt 4250 4000 0

CS Arno Gpt 217 47 0

SA W'Prns rpt 7 15 0

CS T-pns Cpt 0 .1 0

*4 Aircraft 1L"-t 5 6 5

*Aircraft T)amged 1 0 1

Packs Cpb J8 27 0 Includes 100 documents

*Aircrpft Lose. Aircraft iDAmed

HHT- 1 UH-1C 0

A Trp -ý 8 06A 3 UH-I--C 0B Trp - 206A, .2 UH-1C 1 IM-1H, I OH6A

{I

19

CONFIDENTIAL

Z.,I ,,3

Security Clnassification

DOCUMENT CONTROL DATA - R & D(S.4w11yr cla..ification *If ill&, body of *Wrlact and Ind.uin,# annotationu munt i~e otileved when th.e over'all tIop.ot In classified)

Q. ORICINATING ACTIVITY (Coopoeul. author.) a*. RcpORT sr.CURITY Ck.LASI FICA YIOP

ConfidentialHQ, OACSFOR, DA, Washivigton, D.C. 20310

31 REPORT' TITLE

Operational Report'- Lessons Learned, Headqiparters, 7th Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry

4. 0ESCRIPTIV9 NOTES (Tr'pe of eport and jncluadV* dm$*.)

Experiences of unit engaged in counterihsurgency operations. 1 Feb -. 30 Apr 1968S. AU THOM(21 (Pleat "M. middlo Initial. Imat aMeM)

00, 7th Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry

3. REPORT DATE 70. TOTAL.NO Of' PAGES 7.NO. OF REFS

6.CONTRACT oft GRANTY NO. Sm. ORIGINATOR'S HCPO"lT MUMRERIS)

No. 682127

N/A 96. OTHER REPORT 1401S1 (AftY Othe~uiUMb,,a that 811Y be aaal1jnad

so. DISTRISUTIoo STAT EMENT

1 $I. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES1.S&5OiGMi.TFVATVT

N/A OACSFOR, DA, Washington, D.C. 20310

ABS&ýTRIACV

ii 20

FORM~'~l7 UNCLASSIF CIsED &aitDD I NV.147

The following items are recommended for inclusion in the Lessons Learned

Index:

ITEM I

* SUBJECT TITLE __________________________

*FOR OT RDl # _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _

***PAGE # _____

ITEM 2

SUBJECT TITLE ___________________________

FOR OT RD # _________________________

PAGE # ____________________________

ITEM 3

SUBJECT TITLE ..-

FOR OT RD # _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

PAGEk

ITEM 4

SUBJECT TITLE ___________________________

FOR OT RD # _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

PAGE # _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

ITEM 5

SUBJECT TITLE ___________________________

FOR OTRD1 __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

PAGE #__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

* Subject Title':. A short (one. sentence or phrase) description of ýthe it~em

of interest.

**FOR OT R.D #:Appears 'in the.-Reply Reference. line *of the Letter of Trans-

-mittal. This number must be accurately stated..

****Page # '.That page on which the 'item' of interest.`is- located.

OEPA9 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 067RMENT OF THE ARMYo~A~ ~DPLAPI

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

Office of the' Assistan't Chief of Staff fo~rForce Development

9 ATTNz' Operational Repores BranchHeadquarters, Department of the AmWashingjton, D.C. 20310'

DA Lebol 18. 1 APR 89 P*4zvlous cD1omNs Or THNIS L.AML AftE OSSOL.gr11.

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