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Mar 31 6 tweets 4 min read Twitter logo Read on Twitter
CREATION OF AIRMOBILE DOCTRINE - END OF THE VIETNAM WAR 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION

One of the most iconic legacies of the Vietnam War was the U.S. Army’s adoption of new airmobile operation techniques, applying cutting-edge helicopter technology to the modern battlefield.
The idea for airmobile warfare emerged from experimentation with helicopters during the Korean War. After the end of the conflict in Korea, doctrine was developed to combine the speed of motorized infantry units with the all-terrain mobility of helicopter technology.
#ArmyHistory
The 11th ABD was reactivated in 1963 as the 11th Air Assault Division (Test), with the purpose of testing these new developments in airmobile doctrine. The first combat airmobile unit was the 1st CD (Airmobile), which arrived in Vietnam in September 1965. #USArmy #TRADOC
The “First Team” arrived with nine airmobile INF BNs, six artillery BNs, and a complement of “Huey” gunships. Within two months, the First Team proved the battlefield efficacy of the airmobile concept at the Battle of Ia Drang, for close-air support to great success. #Armyhistory
The airborne deployment of light infantry using helicopters, as well as the use of helicopter gunships to provide close-air support, became staples of Army doctrine in Vietnam, allowing commanders to circumvent the worst obstacles of Vietnam’s rugged jungle terrain.
The airmobile tactics employed in Vietnam became one of the most enduring legacies of the conflict, capturing the public’s imagination through depictions in popular media.

Share your memories of airmobility in Vietnam in the comments!

#Airmobile #VietnamWar #VietnamVeterans

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More from @USArmyCMH

Apr 2
M72 LIGHT ANTI-TANK WEAPON (LAW) - END OF THE VIETNAM WAR 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION

The standard anti-tank weapon during the Vietnam War, the M72 LAW continued the legacy of WWII’s “bazooka,” providing frontline troops with compact, lightweight high explosive firepower. Image
Developed during the late-1950’s as a cheap anti-armor weapon, the M72 was a 2.6 inch single-use HEAT warhead launcher. Just over two feet long and weighing 5.5 pounds with a range of about 660 feet, the M72 was a great improvement over its WWII-era predecessor.
U.S. Army soldiers found the M72 to be the perfect anti-armor and anti-emplacement weapon for the dense jungles of Vietnam; its collapsed carrying state was waterproof, and its low weight ensured it did little to burden soldiers in the Southeast Asian heat and humidity. Image
Read 5 tweets
Apr 2
U.S. MILITARY ASSISTANCE COMMAND, VIETNAM (MACV) - END OF THE VIETNAM WAR 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION –

The main command instrument for U.S. forces in Vietnam, MACV presided over U.S. combat involvement in the conflict and became synonymous with the U.S. war effort. Image
MACV was formed in FEB 1962 to complement the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG). In the ensuing years combat troop activity escalated to the point that MACV absorbed MAAG in 1964, becoming the chief U.S. command in Vietnam.
#Armyhistory #USArmy #TRADOC #VietnamWar
MACV was in principal control over all U.S. forces in Vietnam, under the leadership of a U.S. Army General. MACV’s commanders were Paul D. Harkins (1962 – 1964), William C. Westmoreland (1964 – 1968), Creighton Abrams (1968 – 1972), and Frederick C. Weyand (1972 – 1973). Image
Read 6 tweets
Apr 1
RADIOMEN AND BATTLEFIELD COMMUNICATIONS - END OF VIETNAM WAR 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION #VietnamWar

One of the most enduring images of the Vietnam War is that of the radioman on patrol, his back-mounted radio providing vital communications in the Vietnamese jungle. @USArmy Image
During the Vietnam War, the back-mounted AN/PRC-25 “Prick 25” (succeeded by the AN/PRC-77) was an essential piece of battlefield tactical communications equipment. With a range of 3–5 miles, the PRC-25 allowed units to communicate with each other and with rear elements. @TRADOC
The role of combat radioman was one of the riskiest in Vietnam. Its 10-foot antenna made radiomen prime targets, and the role famously (if perhaps doubtful) earned a reputation for having an average firefight survival time of just 5 seconds.
#Armyhistory #USArmy #TRADOC ImageImage
Read 5 tweets
Apr 1
1 APRIL 1945 - BATTLE OF OKINAWA - #WWII

The U.S. Tenth Army invaded Okinawa in the Ryukyus Islands, which the Japanese considered home territory. The U.S. Tenth Army, commanded by LT Gen Simon B. Buckner Jr., included the Army XXIV Corps and Marine III Amphibious Corps. Image
The campaign began on 26 Mar 1945 when the 77th Inf Division landed on the small Kerama Islands near Okinawa, after which the U.S. established forward bases to support the next phase of the campaign.

#Armyhistory #USArmy #TRADOC #MilitaryHistory #WWIIPacific #Okinawa #77thID Image
Operation ICEBERG, the amphibious assault on Okinawa itself, took place on 1 April when with the Army's 7th and 96th Inf DVNs, and the 1st and 6th Marine DVNs landed on Okinawa. The 27th ID followed ashore on 9 April. Image
Read 5 tweets
Mar 31
UH-1 IROQUOIS “HUEY” HELICOPTER - END OF THE VIETNAM WAR 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION

The Vietnam War’s most iconic helicopter, the UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” was a ubiquitous transport and gunship which came to represent the conflict in the public’s imagination.

#Armyhistory
First introduced in the 1950s, the U.S. Army soon adopted the UH-1 helicopter for use in a variety of roles. Its original designation was "HU" for "helicopter, utility" (hence the sobriquet "HUey"), which was later changed to "UH" for "utility helicopter."

#USArmy @USArmy
The UH-1 and its variants were the backbone of the Army’s new airmobile doctrine and performed a variety of roles. These included close air support gunships, assault aircraft for infantrymen, basic transport functions, and "air ambulances" for medical evacuation.
@TRADOC
Read 5 tweets
Mar 31
SOLDIER PROFILE HAROLD “HAL” G. MOORE - END OF THE VIETNAM WAR 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION

An LTC during the early phase of the Vietnam War, Hal Moore earned fame for his leadership during the Battle of Ia Drang, the U.S. Army’s first major combat engagement in Vietnam.
Graduating from West Point shortly after WWII, Moore served in the Korean War. In 1964, he participated in the training exercises of the experimental units tasked with testing the Army’s new airmobility doctrines.

#ArmyHistory #USArmy #TRADOC #VietnamWar #Vietnam #7thCavalry
Moore left for Vietnam in late summer 1965, joining the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Beginning 14 NOV 1965, Moore put his experience with airmobile tactics to good use as he led the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment in the Battle of Ia Drang.
#1stCavalry @USArmy @TRADOC
Read 7 tweets

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