As recalled in actuality... in spring of 1965... those in command positions determined that the "then" present ASTA Platoon, more than likely, would not be deploying "if and when" such orders were initiated and carried out. Instead... the majority of the ASTA Platoon personnel would be utilized to form a new unit: on paper the 20th ASTA was being born... now the 1st Division's ASTA troops were to be the "core" for this new unit: the "20th ASTA." (The 20th ASTA would and did deploy to Vietnam as such, later being re- flagged the 131st Aviation Company (AS))
By mid summer of 1965, several things were in the process... within units/divisions flagging at Fort Benning, Georgia. The 1st Cavalry Division Colors were being brought in from Korea, and the 11th Air Assault Division(test) was to become the 1st Calvary Division (Air Mobile). The 11th Air Assault Colors were cased/deactivated. During the same "time frame," the 2nd Infantry Division Colors were being sent to Korea. (here is where things get foggy)
Just prior to the 11th Air Assault Division re-flagging... the majority of the ASTA Platoon 2nd Division had been assigned to the 226th Aviation Battalion, 11th Air Assault (the 226th was the only Mohawk Battalion ever "Hunter/Killer"). At this moment, the 1st Calvary Division would not be authorized an OV-1 Battalion, and it was down sized to ASTA Platoon and assigned to the 15th Transportation Company. So, somewhere during this confusion, personnel leftover from the 226th, & the ASTA Platoon 2nd Division, were given orders for the 1st Infantry Division, Ft Riley, Kansas. At this juncture, the 20th ASTA was well into getting organized. So, here we come, and re-initiated... the ASTA Platoon "B" Company 1st Aviation Battalion (combat). Fortunately, the majority of crewchiefs from the 2nd Infantry Division ASTA Platoon ended and became the "New" ASTA Platoon "B" Company (with few exceptions here and there).
In July 1965, the Orders came down for the 1st Infantry Division minus 2 Armored Battalions. If my memory serves me half correct or in the ball park, the 5th Infantry Division ASTA equipment and one OV-1B model were transferred to the ASTA Platoon 1st Infantry Division. The rest of the Aircraft were from the deactivated 226th Aviation Battalion. For the exception of one aviator, all came from the 226th Aviation Battalion. The TO's were assigned to us as the unit deployed. TO's from schools joined in-country... in Vietnam. Here again, one or two exceptions. As I recall, the aviators were: L/Col Cliff Johnson, Cpt's: Howard Keller, Robert Borr, Robert Goff and 1/Lt Bill Cyrus. 1/Lt Ernest Stocker came from Fort Bragg, North Carolina (here I could be mistaken, but he was not a former 226th member). The crewchiefs were: Sp5's Edward Barr, Jimmy Flemming, Ernest Salazar, Jr. (Sal) and Mike Hayes.
Col Cliff Johnson and Sp5 Ernest Salazar(sal) were given the task of "advance-party," for making arrangements with the U.S. Navy at Alameda Naval Air Station, Oakland, California, for aircraft shipment by sea. The USNS CORE was loaded with several types of aircraft, UH-1s, A OH-13Ss, A1Es, U-6s and the ASTA Platoon's four OV-1's (two "B" models & two "C" models). At this point, no TO's had reported for this voyage. The "voyage" from Alameda NAS to Subic Bay, Philippines, would take aprox 17-1/2 days.
Upon our arrival at Subic Bay, we off-loaded the OV-1's and prepared them for the "jump" flight to Vung-Tau, Vietnam. The flight crews for this would be: Cpt Keller/CC-Barr, Cpt Borr/CC- Flemming, Lt Cyrus/CC-Salazar & Cpt Goff-CC Hayes. Those aviators that did not travel on the USNS CORE were flown in commercially. Cpt Keller & Col Johnson were on the USNS CORE. The Col remained with the carrier onto Vung Tau. Due to a construction project underway at Subic, we were not allowed to depart with a full load of fuel. As we had the "ferry tanks installed," so it was determined to fly over to Clark Air Force Base and "fuel up."
The flight into Clark Air Force Base was routine, until we landed (it was aprox 2 AM and very dark). The event that followed, is one that no one that was present there will forget. As the ground- handler (airman) was giving us "hand direction-signals" for parking, this ground-handler walked up and was hit by the "number 2" prop on the Mohawk that had 1/Lt Cyrus & myself (Sp5 Salazar, aka: Sal).
At this point... everything went to "hell" real quick like. The airman died later that day... something that I live with all the time, wondering just why. The entire flight was "grounded" for 3 days at Clark Air Force Base, Philippines, pending the investigation. We were released on the fourth day, and the flight on into Vung Tau was more or less routine. We remained at Vung Tau, waiting for TO's, equipment to catch up, and flight check outs. Then we deployed to Phu Loi, Vietnam, as it would become our base camp.
The rest is now history and hopefully recorded on/in official documentation. Edward Barr's Hawk #32 (62--724), is now at the Pima Air Museum, Tucson, Arizona, carrying the COLORS of the ASTA Platoon 1st INF Division. Stop by and visit the old Warrior. Please note: Aboard the USNS CORE, there were members of the 1st Squadron 4th Cavalry. UH-1's and a few AOH-13S models.. 1st Aviation Battalion had most of the AOH-13S's and a handful went out the different Brigades. The AOH-13S were originally armed with 50 & 60 cal machine guns, four guns per ship. When firing, the recoil force would make the chopper buck and darn near stall. So in mid- spring of 1966, the weapons systems were removed and the choppers were utilized as admin-craft.
Ernie (Sal) Salazar Jr., SFC Ret.
Box 545
Amado, Arizona 85645
520-398-2295
John E. Akers
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