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AIRMOBILE DEVELOPMENTS, 1966
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exception of the fight at Phu Huu, the North Vietnamese Army forces known to be in the objective area were able to exfiltrate.

During the same period, PAUL REVERE IV was continuing near the Cambodian border in Pleiku Province. The newly arrived 4th Infantry Division carried the bulk of this battle with elements of the 25th Infantry Division and 1st Cavalry Division. By 30 December, 977 enemy had been killed.

Each one of the above operations contained hundreds of examples of the growing capability of U.S. forces to employ airmobile operations with effectiveness and daring. The year 1966 was the year of accelerated buildup and the beginning of major offensive operations in Vietnam. It was also the year in which the enemy began to doubt his strategy and his tactics.

By the end of 1966, the United States would have a total of 385,000 U.S. military personnel in South Vietnam and would be in a position for the first time to go over to the offensive on a broad and sustained basis. General Westmoreland remarked, "During 1966, airmobile operations came of age. All maneuver battalions became skilled in the use of the helicopter for tactical transportation to achieve surprise and out-maneuver the enemy."

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