THE OLD GUARD

Detachment 13, 38 ARRS, 3^rd ARRG Phu Cat AB, RVN

(1JULY – 30 Sept 1968)

The primary mission of DET13 is to provide Local Base rescue at Phu Cat AB and Aircrew Recovery in the surrounding area as directed by the 3^rd ARRG and Wing Commander of Phu Cat Air Base. The mission is further enhanced by the HH-43B helicopter to provide medical evacuation assistance and various types of base support sorties.

Aircraft assigned during this period were:

HH43B 60-0279 PEDRO 21

HH43B 60-0280 PEDRO 22

Personnel Assigned

Major Bert E. Cowden

Major Juan H. Migia

Major Robert N. Bowers

Captain David H. Pittard

Captain Jack F. Brannan III

1stLt Wayne A. Grant III

MSGt Harry G. Teaford Jr.

SSGt Jesse Franklin

SSGt Delbert B. Dunn

SSGt Sheldon C. Tart

SGt Charles R. Bulinda

SGt Arthur L. Charlton III

SGt Clifford J. Smith

SGt Alfred J. Pearce

The following of missions were flown this quarter:

Emergency Scrambles: 181

Rescue Missions: 43

Combat Saves: 02

Non Combat Saves: 28

Base Support & Misc : 279

MISSION NARRATIVES

Mission Number 13-38-60 – 1 July 68 : DET13, 38 ARRS evacuated one USAF Sargeant who was suffering from lacerations of the nose inflicted by an airplane propeller. The patient was evacuated to the U.S. Army Hospital in Qui Nhon.

Mission Number–13-38-68 14 Jul 68: DET13 Evacuated one Vietnamese child who was suffering from traumatic shock and 2^nd and 3^rd degree burns over 50% of her body. The patient was evacuated to Qui Nhon U.S. Army Hospital. One non Combat save credited.

Mission Number-13-38-71 19 Jul 68: DET13 Evacuated one Vietnamese male who was suffering from traumatic shock and 2^nd and 3^rd degree burns over 95% of his body. The patient was flown to Qui Nhon U.S. Army Hospital.

Mission Number-13-38-85 20 Aug 68: DET13 was notified by Phu Cat Tower of a U.S. Army UH-1B helicopter downed by hostile fire 20 miles North of the base. Upon landing at the crash site, it was learned that one critically wounded crewmember had been transported to an LZ [Landing Zone] three miles south. The Alert Bird proceeded to the LZ, picked up and transported him to Qui Nhon U.S. Army Hospital. Crew was credited with one Combat Save.

Mission Number 13-38-100 – 25 Sep 68: DET13 evacuated one R.O.K. [Republic of Korea] Army Officer who was suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest and a broken leg to the Qui Nhon U.S. Army Hospital. One non combat save credited

Mission Number 13-38-101 27 Sep 68: Classified Mission Report.

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Detachment 12, 38ARRS, 3^rd ARRG, Nha Trang AB, RVN

(1 July 1968-30 September 1968)

Detachment 12 utilizes both HH43B and “F” model helicopters in completing its Primary Mission of Aircrew recovery. The assigned aircraft are capable of completing missions within a 75-mile radius of Nha Trang AB, or within 150 miles with auxiliary fuel tanks installed.

The Secondary Mission is L.B.R. (Local Base Rescue) and requires the aircraft to carry an FSK (Fire Suppression Kit), 2 Airborne Rescuemen/ Firefighters and a Pararescue Specialist. The effective radius of the LBR Mission is 15 nautical miles. The primary objective of the L.B.R. mission is to suppress fires caused by aircraft crashes and rescue trapped personnel from the wreckage.

Aircraft assigned during this period were:

HH43B 60-0278 Pedro 20

HH43F 64-17559 Pedro 99

Personnel Assigned

Lt Col McIntyre, Angus D. Jr.

Major Bowden, Bruce C.

Major Duchene, Edward A.

Major Langston, James W.

Major Lauderdale, Richard D. Jr.

Major Madsen, James N.

Captain Borland, Melroy

Captain Field, Cortland D.

1^st Lt Thayer, Willis, J.

CMSGt Gingrow, Thomas G.

SMSGt Flatman, Earl W.

TSGt Massengale, Harold R.

SSGt Laures, Duane D.

SSGt Miller, James L.

SGt Conerly, James H. Jr.

SGt Deshae, Edward A.

SGt Dunbar, John M. Jr.

SGt Felker, Louis C.

SGt Gent, John B.

SGt Grimes, William

SGt Hardwick, Donald

SGt Mills, Chris R.

SGt Morris, Michael D.

SGt Olson, Randie M.

SGt Scroggins, Allen D.

A1C Arnold, James I.

A1C Bowers, Steve A.

A1C Brooks, Robert J.

A1C Jones, Thomas B. Jr.

A1C Reynolds, Timothy M.

The following missions were flown this quarter:

EMERGENCY SCRAMBLES 73

RESCUE MISSIONS 01

COMBAT SAVES 01

Base Support & MISC 307

Mission Narratives

At 09:08Z, 19 July 1968, Nha Trang Tower notified Detachment 12 of a downed O1G “Birddog” Southwest of Nha Trang . Pedro 20 launched at 09:10Z. Radio contact was made with the survivor and his position was located approximately 5 miles Southwest of Nha Trang. The survivor reported light ground fire and a large enemy force engaged in battle with friendly forces approximately 500 yards from his position. A decision was made to make an immediate pickup and the survivor popped smoke on request. The Hoist Operator extracted the survivor, in good condition from the jungle at 09:20Z. The mission was terminated at 09:30Z. The recovered pilot, Captain Allen R. Zaiser was met at the Pedro Alert Pad by other members of the 21^st TASS.

One Combat save credited.

Pedro 20 Crewmembers

(RCC) Capt. Melroy Borland

(RCCP) Maj. Bruce C. Bowden

(PJ) A1C Timothy M. Reynolds

(ABR) SSGt Huel W. Wilson

(ABR) SGt James R. Pospichel

LtoR: (ABR) SGt James R. Pospichel, (RCCP) Maj, Bruce C. Bowden, (PJ) A1C Timothy M. Reynolds, (RCP) Capt. Melroy Borland and (ABR) SSGt Huel W, Wilson

On 2 September 1968 at 07:45Z, Pedro Operations received from Installation Defense Command requesting Medical Evacuation of 2 seriously ill (suspected malaria) ARVN (Army of Vietnam) Soldiers. Pedro 20 immediately departed for the soldier’s location. The ill soldiers and ground party were located 4 miles Southwest of Nha Trang. Radio contact was established with the ARVN ground party and the area was determined secure. The Hoist Operator lowered the Jungle Penetrator into a small jungle clearing and both soldiers were hoisted simultaneously into the aircraft. The ill soldiers were then transported to 8^th ARMY Field Hospital and Pedro 20 returned to the Alert Pad and terminated the mission at 08:15Z.

Pedro 20 Crewmembers

(RCC) Capt. Cortland D. Field

(RCCP) 1^st Lt. Willis J. Thayer

(PJ) A1C Timothy M. Reynolds

(FE) SGt William Grimes

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