Cobra helicopter with Mr. Kiper, Pilot, another soldier. Photo by Mariano Guzman who served as one of D-Troop's "Blues" while serving with D-Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment. 1969-1970. courtesy of Mike Gustin.
A Cobra Helicopter at Chu Lai, 1969. Photo by Dennis Summers who was a CWO with the "Slicks" Platoon. 1969-1970, Scout Platoon, D Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment. 1969-1970. Courtesy of Mike Gustin.
Carrier-based Transport Aircraft, paratroopers would fly out the back bay door, in quick succession, during strategic deployments. "ahhhhhhhhhhh, the Bou...........loved the ramp exits on them......16 paratroops all streamin out like shit out of a cows arse !! HOOAH !!" Comment by Vietnam Veteran, Howard Swede Ware.
O-1 Birddog. "Flew these in fixed wing school. Could land or take off from just about anywhere, had lots of power and lots of flaps. Very fun to fly." Photo and comment by Tom Everhart
Huey helicopter carrying soldiers about to land. Photo by Bill Foster who served with the "Blues" D Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment. Nov. 1970-Aug. 1971. Courtesy of Mike Gustin.
Soldier inside a military aircraft. Photo by Bill Foster who served with the "Blues" D Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment. Nov. 1970-Aug. 1971. Courtesy of Mike Gustin.
Cobra gunship providing cover for the soldiers as they fold everything up and go home in January, 1972. Photo by Robert Whitford who was with the "Slicks" Platoon. 1971-1972, Scout Platoon, D Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment. 1969-1970. Courtesy of Mike Gustin.
Photo by Brent Gourley and repaired by Dan Fox, 12/1966 -12/67. 281st AHC, Nha Trang, RVN. The 281st Assault Helicopter Company has a rich history and involvement in Special Forces Operations and Special Operations. From the first UH-1A that was operational in-country until the day the colors were retired, the 281st AHC and its predecessor units were instrumental in the strategic reconnaissance mission that was the mainstay of the 5th Special Forces Group (ABN), Special Projects and Special Operations units. It is considered by the U.S. Army Special Warfare Museum and its Historians to be the legacy unit for today's Special Operations Aviation units as it was the only Aviation unit that was attached to the 5th Special Forces Group (ABN) during the Vietnam War. The 281st Assault Helicopter Company (AHC) "Intruders" was stationed at Nha Trang, Republic of Vietnam 1965-1970. It was originally attached to the 5th Special Forces Group and was situated inside the Special Forces Operating Base (SFOB). The 281st AHC was the first US Army Helicopter Company organized and trained as a Special Operations Aviation unit in the Republic of Vietnam. A combat aviation task force from the unit was attached, as requested, to Detachment B-52, Project Delta, a Special Operations Augmentation unit that conducted strategic reconnaissance and other clandestine operations throughout the country of South Vietnam. This attachment constituted the major mission of the unit and resulted in it being named the US Army´s First Special Operations Helicopter Company. The 281st trained with and supported the Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) RECONDO Training Center in Nha Trang and in its later years provided support for all Major Commands (MACOMs) within the II Corps Tactical Zone. http://www.281st.com/index.htm
