The 1st Aviation Battalion (minus) arrived in Vietnam on October 16th, 1965. Upon its arrival, it was augmented by the attachment of the 155th Aviation Company (Airmobile Light), on November 25th. The original A company (which had arrived in Vietnam in April) was re-designated the 155th Aviation Company on the same day and remained a part of the 12th Aviation Company, USARV. The 1st Aviation Battalion moved to its base camp at Phu Loi on October 27th and became completely operational and combat ready on November 3rd.

Furnishing general aviation support to the 1st Infantry Division, the battalions participated in many of the Division's major operations. Particularly important was the support given in the form of aerial re-supply and Command and Control (C&C) Aircraft.

C&C aircraft permit the commanders to oversee the action from an elevated "platform", while, at the same time, maintaining radio communication with the ground and support units. Experience in the tangled jungles of Vietnam convincingly indicated that the major commanders had to have C&C aircraft to adequately perform their duties. Thus, as a matter of daily routine, B Company provided such aircraft to the BIG RED ONE leaders.

A more detailed account of the mission undertaken by the Battalion would include: furnishing general support to units not having organic aviation; Provide medium range surveillance; provide an airmobile capability and provide technical staff assistance on aviation matters through the Assistant Division Aviation Officer at the Division Tactical Operations Center.

Flying Above the First, the men of the 1st Aviation Battalion flew in the twelve months of 1966 over 175 combat assaults or extractions; 83,394 rotary wing sorites; 9,726 fixed wing sorites; and moved 3,700 tons of cargo and 102,336 passengers.

In the early morning hours of January 8th, the people in Ben Suc went calmly about their tasks. At exactly 0800 hours, total confusion erupted. The once-clear sky filled with 70 helicopters. The choppers swooped in, allowing division soldiers to unload and began a seal of the village. Minutes late, the sky was filled again as the aircraft vanished as quickly as they had appeared.

Major Nick J. Primis, the Battalion Operation Officer, explained: "We were faced with a multitude of problems. We had to lift and entire infantry battalion in addition to an attached company from Dau Tieng to Ben Suc and we were supposed to put the battalion on the ground at exactly 0800.

"Further the elements of surprise was in our hands. Nothing-- artillery air strikes or gunships--was to hit the area until after we had put the troops on the ground. This was the first time that we were going to land in a town.

Battalion Commander LTC Algin S. Hawkins and his staff had prepared maps, photo mosaics, operational orders and photo obliques; picked routes in and out of the village; and timed the mission to the second.

The task of the infantry was to seal the village as quickly as possible. The infantry was successful because of the magnificent performance and sure timing of the Fighting Best --the men of the 1st Aviation Battalion.

During 1968 the 1st Aviation Battalion completed its third full year of combat in the Republic of Vietnam. The year was highlighted by several changes of command, changing ideas and concepts. However the basic mission was aviation support to the 1st Infantry Division. The 1st Aviation Battalion provided the Division Commander with highly responsive and flexible support to assist in the accomplishment of the Division's mission. The primary missions provided combat vehicles for command and control, aerial resupply, aerial fire support, visual and electronic surveillance, and aerial mobility for the division maneuver elements. Elements of the 1st Aviation Battalion were with the action in the operational areas of all major conflicts.

Aviation support rendered during SHENADOAH II was characterized by extensive use of armed helicopters in fire support roles during Viet Cong initiated attacks. Two light fire teams were provided by B Company, 1st Aviation Battalion on a continuous basis. Each fire team was held on a five minute reaction status ready to respond when needed.

The gunship responsiveness and ability to deliver large volumes of accurate fire resulted in defeating several attacks. A Company conducted three airmobile operations during SHENADOAH II. Extensive night resupply and medical evacuation missions also preformed in the support of the committed maneuver elements.

Aviation support of the 1st Aviation Battalion during Bu Dop Contingency Operations provided similar results as SHENADOAH II. Light fire teams positioned at Quan Loi actively supported the committed infantry battalions.

Operations in the Lam Son area continued to be characterized by cordon and search operations of villages. Extensive use was made of UH-1D loudspeaker equipped aircraft in conjunction with village seals and psychological warfare operation. During Operation Lam Son 68, the threat of enemy rocket and mortar attacks was evident.

During Operation QUYET THANG, A Company was once again used in the airmobile capacity. The majority of the airmobile operations were insertions and extractions of company size infantry elements. The largest operation was an air assault by the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry and 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry into two landing zones east of Chan Thanh on 4 April 1968.

A Company, participated in and played an important role in the BATTEL OF AN MY. The xenon searchlight aircraft was instrumental in developing the situation and pinpointing the Viet Cong routes of withdrawal. The Viet Cong positions were fixed by elements of the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry. Light Fire Teams supported the contact with rocket and machine fire.

During each of these operation the UH-1H command and control helicopters proved invaluable to the Commanding General, the Assistant Division Commanders, and the Brigade Commanders in controlling their tactical elements.

Route security operation on Highway 13 utilized the Light Observation Helicopters of B Company. Two aircraft were committed daily to the Division Provost Marshal for convoy control. Additional, light fire teams were employed on a standby basis to provide fire support should a convoy be engaged by the Viet Cong.

The Aerial Surveillance and Target Acquisition Platoon of B Company was employed under operational control of the Division G-2 Air. The ASTA Platoon performed visual, electronic and photographic reconnaissance in support of the Division G-2's intelligence and surveillance plan. The majority of the ASTA Platoon missions were preformed at night in order to gather information on the Viet Cong's movements and base camp areas.

The 1st Aviation Battalion was committed in support of Division operation everyday through the year. As a result of the continuous involvement, the battalion was listed as a significant contributor to each operation. Probably most significant was the day in and day out support provided by the battalion during widely publicized major operations.

The flying soldiers of the 1st Aviation Battalion, marked their fourth year in Vietnam while continuing to perform the wide variety of missions characteristic of divisional combat aviation support. The flexibility and capability to get the job done right the first time has consistently made the battalion a vital asset to the Division.

The year 1969 saw the battalion colors change only once. Lieutenant Colonel Robert F. Eyman passed the colors to Lieutenant Colonel James R. Allen in October.

The first of the year found the 1st Aviation Battalion in an extensive equipment transition period. B Company's capabilities for gunship support , utilizing Huey gunships, and visual reconnaissance, formerly performed by H-13 aircraft, were improved with their replacements by newer models. The Huey Cobra gunship was soon recognized to be a devastating weapon in the hands of Bravo Company's Rebels. The Longhorns of B Company saw their light observation helicopters replaced with quicker, more agile and move powerful Cayuse aircraft. B Company's "Pony Platoon" was quick to capitalize on the increased capabilities available to them with this new aircraft. The light observation helicopter was used primarily in a limited fashion forward reconnaissance.

The Pony Platoon put the new Cayuse through it paces on many new and effective missions. It was primarily used in the hunter-killer concept, with the Pony aircraft as the hunter, darting around low to the ground actively seeking the enemy, covered by a Rebel gunship as the killer exploiting any target located by the Pony. The use of these aircraft extended the acquisition and striking capability of the division considerably. (Webster Note: "Hunter Killer" team call sign was "Lighthorse") (Rebel Gunship Platoon Photo Page

The Aerial Surveillance and Target Acquisition (ASTA) Platoon utilizing the Mohawk, fixed wing aircraft, was attached to the 73rd Airplane Company at Vung Tau early in the year making the 1st Aviation Battalion exclusively a rotary wing unit.

The Bulldogs of A Company (Air Assault) also saw a large improvement in its aircraft. Their aircraft consisting entirely of the Huey, were gradually replaced with the more powerful UH-1H Huey. The benefit of this change was realized immediately with a significant increase in lift capability available for Division support.

Over the year A Company's "slick" were employed as command and control aircraft for the Division commanding general, each of the assistant division commanders and each of the three brigade commanders as well as the Division Artillery and Support Command commanders.

Another Bulldog mission was logistic support of the Division's maneuver elements. Working closely with the Division G-5 the Bulldogs participated in the expanded PSYOPS program. The mission of talking to, rather than shooting at, the enemy and trying to convince him to surrender or to give up fighting, employs leaflet drops and loudspeaker broadcast, again accomplished day and nightly by the Bulldogs.

Late in the year A Company started a new operation that was to become one of the most effective in the battalion's history. The mission of the Night Hawk was to restrict movement by the enemy during the hours of darkness. To do this the Bulldog Night Hawk employed a system of night observation starlight scope coupled with a large searchlight and mini-gun. With a Night Hawk in the area the night no longer belonged to Charlie.

The 1st Aviation Battalion employed more than just new equipment and ideas in 1969. It also increased its strength with the addition of D Troop (Air), 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry. Darkhorse performs limited Cav operations in the Division's area of operation with their Cobra's and light observation helicopters working as hunter-killer teams and their Aero Rifle Platoon to be inserted and extracted by organic Huey slicks, Darkhorse operates with deadly efficiency.

During the months of July and August Darkhorse make more kills than any other unit in the Division. The information which Delta Troop poured into the G-2 had enormous impact and has, in fact, shaped the operation of other units extensively.

On September 7th, southeast of Lai Khe, elements of Darkhorse made a contact which resulted in the inter diction of the principle infiltration route of the Dong Nai Regiment. In another important action Darkhorse discovered the main resupply cache for the enemy Sub Region I, northwest of Dau Tieng.

In September a combination of A and B Company were teamed up and Lighthorse was born. The Bulldogs provided the lift element utilizing their slicks and a command and control ship for the ground commander, while the Longhorns provided hunter-killer teams.

Placed under operational control of a brigade or battalion, Lighthorse is used effectively to insert and extract troops organic to the supported unit in its own area of operations. The hunter-killer teams aid the ground commander in his job by gathering information.

To aid the Lighthorse hunter-killer teams by giving them specific areas to investigate, "Bloodhound" pinpoints the area and than passes it on to Lighthorse hunter-killer elements for closer scrutiny. Should this prove fruitful, the troop carriers are called in and another enemy sanctuary is destroyed. As always throughout the years, the 1st Aviation Battalion as lived up to its moot, "Above the First".