The New Air Cavalry Division

The 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) was the first division ever equipped specifically with helicopters supplying the primary means of troop transport. The 1st Cavalry arrived in Vietnam in 1965 with 428 helicopters at their base camp at An Khe. The newly formed Air Cavalry helped the Army overcome tremendous physical obstacles and developed new tactics to face a guerrilla enemy force.

Ia Drang

The first major test of the Air Cavalry in battle took place 14-17 November 1965 when the 1st Cavalry engaged North Vietnamese troops in the Ia Drang Valley of the Vietnamese Central Highlands. Elements of the 1st Cav were greatly outnumbered by North Vietnamese forces and American helicopter crews braved extreme enemy fire to reinforce the American ground troops. The Battle of Ia Drang demonstrated the effectiveness of the new Air Cavalry approach: fifty-nine helicopters were damaged, but only four were shot down and three of those were recovered in this crucial American victory. Helicopter pilots Maj. Bruce Crandall and Capt. Ed Freeman received the Medal of Honor for their heroic actions in the Ia Drang Valley.

New Tactics for the Air Cavalry

Airmobile Support Network

Traditional base camps were established along with a network of landing zones for delivering troops and fire support bases provided artillery support where it was most needed.

Landing Zones (LZ) could be used long-term, but were frequently an area that was identified and cleared in advance and used temporarily to place ground troops within close distance to their mission area.

Fire Support Bases (FSB or FB) made it possible to maintain artillery support and supplies within useful range of ground units in remote locations often accessible only by helicopter. The FSB was a semi-permanent encampment which could be packed up and relocated as the unites they supported were moved.

Backward Planning of Airmobile Operations

Because the principal goal of air mobility was to place combat rifle units within close distance of their objective, a Reverse Sequence to planning airmobile operations was developed:

1. Determination of Goal/Objective
2. Landing Plan - sequence to put troops on Landing Zone (LZ) in correct order and location
3. Air Movement Plan - Sequence to deliver helicopters, troops, equipment and supplies to LZ
4. Loading Plan at Pick-Up Zone (PZ) - Sequence for loading of helicopters, troops, equipment and supplies
5. Staging Plan - Sequence for arrival of elements at PZ for loading

Team Tactics

New tactics were developed by organizing the helicopters into teams:

• Red Team: Offensive mission with one Huey Gunship and one Cobra Attack Helicopter. Goal is to provide high concentration of firepower on an enemy location.
• White Team: Reconnaissance Mission with two LOACH helicopters: one flying treetop level for observation and one flying high altitude for cover and communication.
• Pink Team: One observation helicopter flying low for reconnaissance and to attract enemy fire, with one gunship flying high to provide cover and call in artillery or Cobra Attack Helicopters.
• Blue Team: Huey Slicks for carrying in a rifle platoon or ground cavalry troops when enemy troops or supply caches are located. These would be accompanied by additional teams for reconnaissance and fire support.