Air Support/Defense

Air activity in support of the 1^st Battalion 4^th Marines operations was widely varied and extensive during the period of this report.  On 1 May 1967 the Gio Linh-Con Thien Firebreak was completed and during the period 2 May to 7 May units were helilifted to the Dong Ha Combat Base for short periods in the rear and returned to Con Thien.  During the night attack on Con Thien outpost during the pre dawn hours of 8 May flare ships were extensively utilized to illuminate the battlefield.  On the morning of 8 May, 43 Marine med-evac sorties were flown and close air support aircraft caught approximately 200 of the fleeing attackers in the open with devastating results.  Helicopter resupply throughout the period was extensive with the normal daily lift averaging in excess of 10 tons.

On 13 may 1967 the first combat air drop resupply of Marines by Marine KC-130F aircraft of the Vietnamese conflict was made to this unit’s element at Con Thien.  This was necessitated by excessive hostile fire, which covered the helicopter-landing zone ruling out normal helicopter resupply.  The drops were a complete success and 100% on target with 95% of the resupply recovered undamaged.

Air Support Report:

            Offensive

                        CAS Sorties                                    86

                        TAO/TACA Sorties                        42

                        Fixed Wing Transport sorties         3

                        Med-evac sorties                           97

                        Logistical Sorties                   Unknown*

                        Recon/C and C Sorties                 11

                        TPQ’s requested                          617

Flare ship sorties                              8

* Helo resupply flights fragged through LSA figures unavailable.

This page last corrected 29 August 2011