SUBJECT: Inclosure
4, Aviation Support, to After Action Report to OPORD 10-66, Period 09
August through 05 September 66.
1. Army Aviation.
a. Army aviation support was provided by the 281st Assault Helicopter Company (-).
Maximum personnel and equipment committed in direct support of the operation at one
time was 14 officers (pilots) and 42 enlisted men, 6 trooplift helicopters and 3 armed
helicopters. The following tasks were accomplished by the 281st Assault Helicopter
Company during the operation:
PHASE II PHASE
III TOTAL
(1) Total flying hours: 228.4 257.7 486.1
(2) Tasks flown: 245.0 223.0 468
(3) Sorties flown: 434 452 886
(4) Passengers lifted: 450 517 967
(5) Cargo Lifted (tons): 28.1 31.2 59.3
(6) Recon Teams,
Infiltrated & Exfiltrated 9 8 17
(7) Recondo Teams,
Infiltrated & Extracted: 5 5 10
b. During the operation, there were 15 extractions of recon teams under emergency
conditions. Sixteen (16) of these extractions were under direct fir from enemy within or
near the LZ. A total of 25 team members were extracted by McGuire Rig (rope slings)
and one (1) by rope ladder.
c. A total of 10 hits by enemy fire were received by the helicopters and 3 by the troop lift
helicopters. One troop lift helicopter was lost due to enemy fire in the LZ. The other
damaged helicopters were able to return to the FOB.
d. Aviation casualties:
(1) KIA: None
(2) WIA: 3
(3) MIA: None
e. Comments: During the operation, 16 teams were extracted under direct fire from the
enemy in or near the LZ. Three (3) of these extractions were made during weather
conditions that prohibited the employment of Air Force tactical air support. The only fire
support available during these extractions was the armed helicopters of the 281st Assault
Helicopter Company in support of the operation. On 2 of the 3 extractions, an additional
2 armed helicopters were borrowed from nearby US Army units. (25th Inf Div and 1st Inf
Div). The fact that armed helicopters were available and could react instantly permitted
the recovery of these teams which might otherwise have been annihilated. Suggest the
nearest aviation unit provide a light fire team (two (2) armed helicopters) to Delta on 30
minute notice.