War Stories

This is part 4 leading up to the story of a minor combat engagement at an outpost in South Vietnam called Hoa Binh. It is representative of Seawolf combat operations during the withdrawal of U.S. riverine forces and the turnover of naval operations to the South Vietnamese in 1971. HA(L)-3, the only Navy attack helicopter squadron in Vietnam, was a unique concept designed to support the Navy riverine forces operating in the Mekong Delta area of South Vietnam. The squadron was a child of the Vietnam war, being commissioned, operated, and finally decommissioned entirely within the Delta of South Vietnam. …

This is the story of the fight at Hoa Binh outpost, Republic of South VIetnam, as seen by this Navy Seawolf helicopter pilot. It is representative of Seawolf combat operations during the withdrawal of U.S. riverine forces and the turnover of naval operations to the South Vietnamese in 1971. HA(L)-3, the only Navy attack helicopter squadron in Vietnam, was a unique concept designed to support the Navy riverine forces operating in the Mekong Delta area of South Vietnam. The squadron was a child of the Vietnam war, being commissioned, operated, and finally decommissioned entirely within the Delta of South Vietnam. …

This is the sixth and last part in a series about a minor combat engagement in South Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. It is representative of Seawolf combat operations during the withdrawal of U.S. riverine forces and the turnover of naval operations to the South Vietnamese in 1971. HA(L)-3, the only Navy attack helicopter squadron in Vietnam, was a unique concept designed to support the Navy riverine forces operating in the Mekong Delta area of South Vietnam. The squadron was a child of the Vietnam war, being commissioned, operated, and finally decommissioned entirely within the Delta of South Vietnam. If you missed …

A DECISION I SHALL ALWAYS REGRETThis article is another reminiscence of operations of the Seawolves of HA(L)-3, Navy Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 3, during the Vietnam War. For a more detailed description of tactics, equipment, and concepts of operations, you might read the “Scramble Seawolves!” articles which have preceded this one. After the excitement at Hoa Binh outpost, (related in previous installments of this periodical) things quieted down somewhat in the Plain of Reeds, and the “Master Strategists” decided that winning the hearts and minds of the local citizens of the Plain could continue without the services of Det Nine. …

This is the continuation of a story begun in “Scramble Seawolves!” part 7. The preceding half of this story should be reviewed before reading this one because this concluding part is not written to stand alone. For a more detailed description of tactics, equipment, and concepts of operations for HA(L) – 3, the NAVY’s only attack helicopter squadron, you might read the several “Scramble Seawolves!” articles which have preceded this one. A brief synopsis of the first half follows. A light helicopter fire team of HA(L) – 3, Det Nine had been conducting a training strike under the command of …