Page:Airmobility 1961-1971.pdf/228

port with outbound cargo. Communications with Tan My varied from poor to nonexistent. It was necessary for members of the Division G-4 staff to make several flights per day to Tan My to keep information updated and to properly move cargo forward based on the actual loading situation.

Container express containers were utilized to the utmost in packing cargo for sea movement. Units which had insufficient container express containers were provided pallets on which to load cargo. Incidentally, the Division had been urged for months by U.S. Army, Vietnam, to turn in a substantial number of on-hand container express containers. As it turned out, if these containers had been disposed of, the sea movement would not have been possible within the prescribed time frame.

Combat elements of the Division's 3d Brigade were the first to move and upon closing in the new area were placed under the operational control of the 1st Infantry Division, while combat elements of the 1st Brigade on closing were placed under the operational control of the 25th Infantry Division. The Division Headquarters deployed to Phuoc Vinh on 7 November and operational control of the 3d Brigade was returned to the 1st Cavalry Division. On 9 November, the Division assumed operational control of the 1st Brigade and combat elements of the 2d Brigade closed in the area under Division control on 12 November. The last combat essential equipment of the Division closed into III Corps Tactical Zone on 15 November 1968. Combat elements of the Division immediately began extensive reconnaissance in force operations throughout Tay Ninh, Binh Long, and Phuoc Long Provinces in an effort to stem enemy infiltration along the Cambodian border.

During Operation LIBERTY CANYON the 1st Cavalry Division used 437 C-130 sorties to move 11,550 passengers and 3,399 short tons of cargo. Additionally, a total of 31 LST's, three LPD's, three LSD's, and one aircraft carrier were used to transport 4,097 passengers and 16,593 short tons of cargo. The 1st Cavalry Division had moved on 24 hours notice over 570 miles by land, sea, and air, and immediately took over a large area of operations during a critical time. With the exception of thirty aircraft which were moved on the aircraft carrier, the remaining 415 aircraft flew all the way south. Many of them had been hastily repaired for a one-time flight.

However, the move was not without certain problems. Colonel William C. Dysinger, Commander of the Support Command for the Division, did not have enough movement control personnel to cover eight departure and arrival airfields and four seaports. How[ever]