Air Support/Defense

During the period 1 April thru 2 April 1967 the Battalion was engaged in the final stages of Operation Beacon Hill I.  On 4 April the Battalion assumed the duties of base defense battalion and air activity decreased.  On 6 April two rifle companies and a command group were helilifted to a position southwest of Quang Tri for a two-day operation.  On 12 April the Battalion began work on the Gio Linh-Con Thien Barrier Strip, and air activity increased to a high level and remained this way until the end of this reporting period.

During the month, 28 close air support sorties, and 34 observation missions were flown in support of the battalion.  In addition, 413 TPQ missions and 2 arc-light missions were requested.  36 med-evac sorties were flown in support of operations.

From 18 April until the close of this period, 3 rifle companies, the command group, and the supporting forces were 100% resupplied (all classes) by helicopter.  The lift averaged 15 tons per day.

Due to the fact that these aircraft were fragged through the LSA, accurate sorties figures are not available.  There was no fixed wing transport activity.

This page last corrected 25 August 2011