Page:Airmobility 1961-1971.pdf/84

1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). During this deployment and subsequent operations, the Brigade had reconfigured to a new Table of Organization and Equipment and conducted major training in airmobile operations. They found that many of the items that they had brought in country such as camouflage nets were completely extraneous and many things they had not brought, such as additional water trucks, were absolutely essential.

When the Brigade was alerted at Fort Campbell, there was no positive assurance this would be a permanent move or a temporary duty move, and personal problems of families, quarters, etc., placed an undue administrative burden on the unit. The advance party moved on two old C-124 aircraft which, because of mechanical and administrative difficulties, required seven days to close in Nha Trang. The main body of over 3,600 troops was shipped abroad the USNS General Leroy Eltinge which had a normal troop capacity of 2,200 men. The 21-day voyage was a miserable period plagued by plumbing, lighting, and ventilation problems.

The movement of the 1st Brigade, 101st, to secure the An Khe base area for the soon-to-arrive 1st Cavalry Division was entitled Operation HIGHLAND and spanned the period 22 August until 2 October. One battalion conducted an airmobile assault in conjunction with a battalion-size ground attack to open the An Khe Pass and to clear and secure Route 19 from Qui Nhon to An Khe. To secure the division base area, the Brigade conducted eight airmobile assaults and many large ground operations. A special task force was organized to secure convoy movement along Route 19. This task force established strong points along the critical terrain bordering the route from Qui Nhon to the An Khe Pass. Tactical air cover was provided for all convoys. During this period, enemy losses totaled 692 killed in action as opposed to the 1st Brigade losses of 21.

Meanwhile, the newly designated 1st Cavalry Division was feverishly preparing for deployment. The movement of over 400 aircraft, nearly 16,000 personnel, over 1,600 vehicle, and training for combat in just eight weeks was a momentous task.

The early model Chinooks needed 1,334 modifications for safety of flight and the Hueys nearly 2,000. New armored seats were installed in the UH-1D's and the aircraft were moved to two different staging areas at Brookley Air Force Base, Mobile, Alabama, and Mayport Naval Base near Jacksonville, Florida. The USS