ANNEX C (Aviation Support) to After Action Report 3-68. (Samurai V)

1. GENERAL

a. Aviation support was provided by the 281st Assault Helicopter Company (-) to Detachment B-52

(PROJECT DELTA), 5th SFGA during the period 18 Apr through 18 May 1968. The

operation was supported by twenty five officers and sixty enlisted men. There were six UH-1H

helicopters and four UH-1C helicopters. The operation was supported in the following

manner.

(1) Total Flying Hours:

UH-1H 643.2

UH-1C 279.9

UH-1D 65.0

TOTAL 988.1

(2) Total night flying time (included in total) 4.2

(3) Total tasks flown 716

(4) Total sorties flown 1603

(5) Number of passengers flown 2143

(6) Weight of cargo flown 32.3 tons

(7) Number of aircraft hits (enemy fire) 3

(8) Aircraft lost to enemy fire 1

(9) Aircraft turned in due to enemy fire 0

(10) Casualties

KIA 4

WIA 3

MIA 0

(11) Total RECON patrols supported 19

(12) Total Roadrunner patrols supported 16

(13) Nung platoon operations 2

(14) MSF company operations 1

(15) Ranger operations 2

(16) Ammunition expended:

7.62mm 614,771

2.75 rockets 5,458

40mm grenades 5,117

(17) During this time, two CH-46 helicopters from 3 MAF were utilized and on occasion,

two UH-1E gunship helicopters, as the situation required.

a. One aircraft was lost as the result of enemy ground fire. The following is a resume of

the incident.: 8 May 1968: During the support of an infiltration, the gunship had just

completed a pass over the LZ, giving suppressive fire, when it exploded in mid-air and fell

burning to the ground in pieces.

2. PROBLEM AREAS:

The only problem encountered was towards the end of the operation. the temperature often exceeded

100 degrees, which increased the density altitude, which in turn decreased the weight that could be

carried by the aircraft.

3. COMMENTS: None

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGE:

ALLEN

MAJ

 

 

OFFICIAL:

s/Ruskauff

RUSKAUFF

MAJ, CO