DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
1ST AVIATION BATTALION
1ST INFANTRY DIVISION
APO San Francisco 96345




AVID-AVN29 March 1966



SUBJECT: Annual Historical Supplement

TO:Commanding General
1st Infantry Division
ATTN: AVID-T
APO US Forces 96345

l. Reporting period: 1 January 1965 thru 31 December 1965.


2. Commanders and Principle Staff Officers Assigned:

a. Throughout CY 9165 numerous changes in command and staff positions occurred. These changes were occasioned primarily by the requirement to detach A Company and send it to Vietnam in April. Other changes were necessary because of individuals receiving orders transferring them from the unit and to ready the Battalion for overseas movement to Vietnam.


3. Narrative Account of Unit History for CY 1965:

a. The 1st Aviation Battalion opened the year 1965 at Fort Riley, Kansas. For the first two months of the new year the battalion was involved in normal aviation support of the division and usual organizational duties. In addition a rotary wing instrument transition course was begun with an initial input of four students. In March the battalion participated in CPX "WHITE FLAME" on the Fort Riley reservation. During the four day period (16-19 March) the battalion supported the division requirements from the field, operating on a 24 hour basis. March also saw the first four students successfully complete the helicopter instrument course.

b. In April, 1965, A Company (Airmobile) was detached from the battalion and sent to the Republic of Vietnam. Accordingly the primary effort of the battalion during the month was directed towards the preparation for and movement of the Airmobile Company to Vietnam. The battalion sent troops to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin in May 1965 to participate in ROTC summer camp. The unit also participated in several flood-control programs in several states.

c. The annual IG Inspection came in June with the Battalion receiving an overall rating of excellent. It also received a Command Maintenance Management Inspection administered by the division. Four more pilots were graduated from the helicopters instrument course in June and, because of the loss of the Airmobile Company, the decision was made to discontinue the instrument transition program until the battalion was in a better position to support it.

d. Throughout the entire first half of CY 65 the Pathfinder Detachment of the Aviation Battalion was involved in airmobile operations marking LZ's, directing aircraft along desired flight routes and helping to organize participating ground elements in the pick up area. In addition the Pathfinder Detachment made some 181 parachute jumps and Forbes AFB while training AF pilots in personnel drop techniques.

e. In July the battalion (-) was alerted for overseas assignment. During the next three months there was an extremely large turnover in personnel due to the necessity of bringing the battalion up to strength and to replace non-deployable personnel. OH-25G and UH-1B helicopters were exchanged for OH-13S and UH-1D helicopters respectively. This equipment change brought with it the added requirement of a concentrated transition program in order to qualify assigned aviators prior to overseas movement. All equipment was inventoried, inspected and necessary repairs or replacement accomplished. Spare parts lists and stockings levels were reviewed and action initiated to insure the adequate spare parts would accompany the unit. All equipment was then packed and marked for shipment. UH-1D and OV-1 aircraft were flown to Alemeda NAS California for processing and then put aboard the aircraft carrier "Core" for movement overseas. The OH-13 helicopters were flown to Forbes AFB where they were loaded aboard C-124 aircraft and delivered to the port. The remainder of the equipment was shipped from Fort Riley to the port by rail in mid September. On 25 September the battalion departed Fort Riley, Kansas by motor and air enroute to Oakland California. Upon arrival at Oakland the unit boarded the USNS General R.M. Blatchford for surface movement to Vietnam. On 16 October the Blatchford dropped anchor off Vung Tau, Vietnam and on the morning of the 17th the battalion disembarked and came ashore. The unit was moved by air and motor convoy to the division staging area to regroup and receive equipment. Upon arrival in Vietnam the 1st Aviation Battalion was augmented by the attachment of the 155th Aviaiton Company commanded by Major Henry W. Schober. This unit was redesignated Company A (Airmobile) 1st Aviation Battalion under GO 1677, on 25 November 1965, and became the organic Airmobile Company of the 1st Aviation Battalion. The old Company A, 1st Aviation Battalion was redesignated the 155th Aviation Company on the same day and remained a part of the 12th Aviation Group, USARV, with station at Ban Me Thout.

f. On 27 October 1965 the Battalion displaced the Phu Loi Army Airfield where it immediately went to work securing the area and setting up living facilities.

g. The aircraft carrier "Core", having sailed from Oakland on 5 October 1965, docked in the Philippines on 24 October to off-load the OV-1 Mohawks. It then proceeded to Vietnam and anchored off Vung Tau on 29 October 1965. Unit aviators were dispatched to Vung Tau to flight deliver the aircraft to Phu Loi. By 3 November 1965, with the exception of the ASTA Platoon, the battalion was completely operational and combat ready, and performed its first combat assault mission on that date.

h. On 1 November 1965, aviators from the ASTA Platoon went to the Philippines where they picked up the OV-1's and flew them to Vung Tau, arriving on 5 November 1965. They remained at Vung Tau for training until 23 November when they rejoined the battalion at Phu Loi. The ASTA Platoon became fully operational on 25 November and since that time has been credited with gathering some 40% of all intelligence gained by the Division.

i. Throughout CY 1965 the 1st Aviation Battalion has logged 8,520 flying hours, 6214 of which were combat flying hours, logged in support of division operations in the Republic of Vietnam. While supporting division combat operations the Aviation Battalion has transported 13,202 passengers and 554 tons of equipment and supplies. The unit has participated in 28 airmobile Combat Assaults with 2,495 sorties since arrival in Vietnam. An additional 8,266 sorties have been flown in combat support type missions, ie, resupply, medevac, armed recon, convoy cover, surveillance, courier etc. In these combat operations the unit has not lost any aircraft to enemy action although 13 aircraft were hit by enemy fire resulting in 1 KIA and 3 WIA. WO Alvin P. Woods Jr. was killed by enemy ground fire on 31 December 1965 while participating in a combat assault mission. Action has been initiated to rename the division airfield "Woods Army Airfield" in his honor.

j. During the 1965 members of the 1st Aviation Battalion have received 188 decorations and awards consisting of: Bronze Star (1), Purple Heart (4), Distinguished Flying Cross (1), Air Medal Meritorious Service (167), Air Medal Valor (6), Army Commendation Medal (9), in addition, the battalion has received numerous letters of appreciation and commendation in recognition of the outstanding support it has rendered to divisional units throughout the year.



FOR THE COMMANDER:
CHARLES D. JAMES
Capt., Inf
Adjutant





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This history has been retracted, in its entirety, from the United States National Archives, Washington, D.C. (U. S. Government publication, no copyright applicable).


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