26 January 1970:
CWO Meister was performing the duty of (AC) with the 334 AHC, 12th
CAG in AH-1G 274 in support of the 3rd Mobile Strike Force located at
Rang Rang, approximately 35 miles Northeast of Bien Hoa, the aircraft crashed
for undetermined reasons. The landing area was hot from enemy weapons fire so
the helicopter was destroyed in place before an investigation could be
conducted. The pilot was unable to explain the crash because he had no
communications with the AC before the crash.
CW2 Bernard E Meister died in
4 February 1970: GHOSTRIDER 560 returned from a mission and SP4 Sawyer (CE) asked
WO High (AC) and WO Callister (P) to park the aircraft in the 189th
wash rack. As 560 approached the wash rack, the crew noted that GHOSTRIDER 462
was sitting in such a position that both the wash rack and the adjoining
revetment were inaccessible to another aircraft. WO High set 560 down and called
189th operations which sent out WO Dobson and WO Renfroe to move 462. SP4 Sawyer
and SP4 Kelley (G) went over to 462 and assisted in moving the aircraft into the
adjoining revetment. After 462 were in the revetment and engine was rolled back
to flight idle, Sawyer and Kelly returned to 560. WO High then brought 560 up
light on its skids and pushed the cyclic forward to ground taxi into the wash
rack. WO High stated that the cyclic was binding. As the aircraft moved forward,
SP4 Sawyer informed WO High that they were getting close to the main rotor
blades of 462 on the left. SP4 Kelly informed WO High that he had sufficient
room on the right and cleared him to move right. WO High reduced collective to
stop his forward movement and the main rotor blades of both aircraft meshed. WO
High stated that when he had reduced collective, the cyclic held itself fast in
the forward position.
5 February 1970: GHOSTRIDER 670 was hovering in a LZ and WO Raiford (AC) lost
pedal control and settled into high stumps and brush. Both main rotor and tail
rotor blades had incident damage.
26 February 1970: WO Dowd was the instructor pilot (IP) on GHOSTRIDER 356 and was
giving WO Veal a check ride and doing auto-rotations. WO Veal was apparently
having difficulty accomplishing a successful auto-rotation. The aircraft was on
decent with an extremely tail-low attitude, the tail stinger and
tail rotor impacted the lane causing the aircraft to bounce and come to
rest on the western portion of the auto-rotation lane. Upon impact, the tail
rotor and 90 degree gear-box was separated from the aircraft. The tail rotor
drive shaft was completely twisted apart. Maj Morgan was a passenger on the
aircraft. No one was injured.
2 March 1970: WO Dobson (P) was flying seven (7) troops to a friendly location,
the landing zone was a hover hole surrounded by 40 ft. trees. He made his
approach to a three (3) foot hover due to stumps in the area. The troops
dismounted and five (5) others boarded the aircraft for evacuation. CWO Albers
(AC) took over proceeding with his take-off when SP4 Hudson (CE) told him twice
to move the tail of the aircraft to the left, which he did. Finally, both SP4
Hudson and SP4 Harris yelled correcting themselves. Hudson yelled “I mean
right,” but it was too late as the tail rotor struck a tree. The aircraft spun
to the right. CWO Albers closed the throttle and pulled pitch in order to keep
the blades from striking the ground and to give the ground troops more time to
get off the aircraft. The aircraft made two (2) revolutions while receiving
numerous blade strikes. There was no fire.
3 March 1970: While landing, GHOSTRIDER 670 piloted by WO Callister (AC) was
hovering at ten (10) feet when main rotor blades hit a tree causing minor
incident damage.
6 March 1970: Major George A Morgan assumed command of the 189th
AHC.
6 March 1970: CARETAKER 353 was parked on its helipad when incoming 60mm mortar
rounds and 122mm rockets got too close damaging the engine, tail rotor, flight
controls and communication systems. The hangar and avionics shop took direct
hits. SP4
Charles Whatley was killed on the
ground during the mortar attack. SP4 Easley was wounded and ended up being
medeivaced.
15 March 1970: The crew of GHOSTRIDER 047 was WO Deuschle (AC), WO Riovo (P),
SP4 Gault (CE) and SP4 Icovitti. They were on take-off to do a resupply mission
in a remote LZ. The aircraft reached the LZ, circled and made its approach but
upon termination the aircraft began to turn to the right. The WO Deuschle
applied full left pedal, but the aircraft continued to turn to the right. The
tail rotor hit the surrounding trees, severing the 90 degree gear-box and tail
rotor. The tail rotor struck the tail boom and the aircraft settled upright 180
degrees from the approach axis.
1 April 1970: The SF Camp at Dak Seang came under siege by an estimated three
(3) Regiments of the NVA. During the siege, the 189th AHC flew a
total of 1381 sorties, resulting in an estimated 114 KIA.
1 April 1970: The 119th unit history states that laxity no longer persisted as
the enemy, comprised of NVA main force units, swept down from the north and set
siege to Dak Seang, Dak Pek, Dak To, and Kontum. An estimated force of three
regiments had encircled Dak Seang. The 189th AHC did most of the support for the
2d ARVN Rangers, the MIKE Strike Force, and the CIDG; but concentrations of
automatic 37mm and .51 cal fire brought ships down one after another. Air strike
after air strike, the enemy continued to bring down helicopters. During the
first 16 days of the siege, the Gators stood idle flying missions for the 4th
Inf Div. As the situation increased at Dak Seang, almost being over run twice,
the Gators were mustered to assist further actions against the enemy. The Crocs
were at Pleiku in case further contact was encountered. Thus far there had been
four (4) Hueys, one (1) F-100, two (2) C-47As, one (1) A10-2, and two (2)
Gunships shot down from enemy fire. A few of the Gators were still supporting
the 4th Inf Div around the Hard times area and some saw action.
1 April to 12 April 1970: SF SFC Wade, in his book “Assault on Dak Pek,” provided a second-
hand account of the NVA attack on Dak Seang. What follows is an edited version
of his account. Aircraft from the 52nd CAB did the majority of lifts
and insertions described by SFC Wade. At first light, the NVA 28th Infantry
augmented by artillery started a daylight attack on Dak Seang. The initial
bombardment was with mortars and RRs which destroyed several buildings and part
of the camp's commo. The first NVA assault was beaten back when they got to the
wire. Luckily not all of the camp's commo was out. The C-detachment at Pleiku
sent in reinforcements right away by airlifting a company from Plateau Gi
outside the wire, but they got surrounded before they could move into the camp.
This force spent the entire night pinned down and almost got overrun themselves.
The reinforcements moved into the camp on the 2nd after the USAF napalmed a path
for them. The NVA were not discouraged and made two (2) more daylight assaults
that day. There were reports that the NVA were dug in about 30 meters from the
perimeter wire. B-52s were used on suspected enemy base locations. The 4th Inf
Div had built a FSB equipped with 155's on the large mountain near the camp.
When they withdrew, the NVA occupied the site and were directing their fire
support from it. After several napalm sorties on the site, the plan was to
insert part of a SOG Hatchet force to secure an LZ to be used for a Mike Force.
According to Wade's account, a Jolly Green Giant carried the Hatchet force
troops and followed the last napalm strike. Just as it flared to land, it was
hit by an RPG-7 and blew up killing all on board. //Editor's Note: The VHPA KIA
and HELICOPTER databases do not show any losses that correlate to this account.
Their only non-Army helicopter loss in early April was a Jolly Green Giant on
the 15th in Kontum Province while attempting to rescue the crew of a
downed Army Huey.// Wade's account states that emergency medeivaced and resupply
missions were flown into Dak Seang and American wounded were replaced with
members from other SF teams. A Mike Force was inserted some distance from the
camp as a means of flanking the NVA, but the NVA sent a force to engage it. The
NVA did not seem to be intimidated by the air support as they continued to send
infantry and sappers against the camp even during the day. After a few days, the
pressure on the camp lessened as the NVA seemed to turn their attention to the
surrounded Mike Force. When Dak Pek was attacked on the 12th, Wade does not
provide any more details about the action around Dak Seang. The source for this
information was Assault on Dak Pek by Leigh Wade.
1 April to 12 April 1970: SF SFC Wade, in his book “Assault on Dak Pek,” provided a second-
hand account of the NVA attack on Dak Seang. What follows is an edited version
of his account. Aircraft from the 52nd CAB did the majority of lifts
and insertions described by SFC Wade. At first light, the NVA 28th Infantry
augmented by artillery started a daylight attack on Dak Seang. The initial
bombardment was with mortars and RRs which destroyed several buildings and part
of the camp's commo. The first NVA assault was beaten back when they got to the
wire. Luckily not all of the camp's commo was out. The C-detachment at Pleiku
sent in reinforcements right away by airlifting a company from Plateau Gi
outside the wire, but they got surrounded before they could move into the camp.
This force spent the entire night pinned down and almost got overrun themselves.
The reinforcements moved into the camp on the 2nd after the USAF napalmed a path
for them. The NVA were not discouraged and made two (2) more daylight assaults
that day. There were reports that the NVA were dug in about 30 meters from the
perimeter wire. B-52s were used on suspected enemy base locations. The 4th Inf
Div had built a FSB equipped with 155's on the large mountain near the camp.
When they withdrew, the NVA occupied the site and were directing their fire
support from it. After several napalm sorties on the site, the plan was to
insert part of a SOG Hatchet force to secure an LZ to be used for a Mike Force.
According to Wade's account, a Jolly Green Giant carried the Hatchet force
troops and followed the last napalm strike. Just as it flared to land, it was
hit by an RPG-7 and blew up killing all on board. //Editor's Note: The VHPA KIA
and HELICOPTER databases do not show any losses that correlate to this account.
Their only non-Army helicopter loss in early April was a Jolly Green Giant on
the 15th in Kontum Province while attempting to rescue the crew of a
downed Army Huey.// Wade's account states that emergency medevac and resupply
missions were flown into Dak Seang and American wounded were replaced with
members from other SF teams. A Mike Force was inserted some distance from the
camp as a means of flanking the NVA, but the NVA sent a force to engage it. The
NVA did not seem to be intimidated by the air support as they continued to send
infantry and sappers against the camp even during the day. After a few days, the
pressure on the camp lessened as the NVA seemed to turn their attention to the
surrounded Mike Force. When Dak Pek was attacked on the 12th, Wade does not
provide any more details about the action around Dak Seang. The source for this
information was Assault on Dak Pek by Leigh Wade.
2 April to 2 May 1970: The 189th AHC primarily supported the 4th
Inf Div with some support being provided II ARVN Corps and CORDS. Major support
was provided to the 24th Special Tactical Zone during the battle of
Dak Seang and Dak Pek.
3 April 1970: These men distinguished themselves by exceptionally valorous
actions while serving as pilots and crew-members on GHOSTRIDER aircraft during
insertions three (3) kilometers SE of the besieged Dak Seang SF Camp.
Approaching the LZ, the ships came under a barrage of enemy automatic weapons,
rocket, hand grenade and small arms fire. Undaunted, they continued their
approach and landed, allowing the troops on the aircraft to join the battle.
Again and again they landed in the area with badly needed reinforcements taking
intense enemy fire. Due to their high regard for the mission, the lives of the
ground troops and complete disregard for their own safety, the area was secured.
The following were awarded the Air Medal with “V” Device, (First Award) SP5
Gilbert R Gonzalez, SP4 David B Pickens, SP4 Luis E Rivera (Second Award) WO
Patrick C Buchan, WO Brian D Cope, WO Ward W Dunning, and WO James H Riovo SP4
Richard W Matthes, PFC Albert D Sena, (Third Award) SP4 Phillip H Kelley, SP4
Stephen J Sawyer, (Forth Award) Richard C Pryze, for heroism.
4 April 1970: Serving aboard GHOSTRIDER aircraft as medeivaced helicopters just
three (3) miles SE of Dak Seang, the allied forces were completely surrounded
and had been under continuous attack throughout the night. The GHOSTRIDERS were
assigned the reinforcement mission. Each time they flew into the area, their
ships were subject to enemy fire, but their highly accurate effective fire made
the mission more successful. In the midst of enemy fire, these men displayed
great courage in aiding the wounded men aboard their aircraft. The following
were awarded the Air Medal with “V” Device (First Award) SP4 Kenneth L Howard,
SP4 Edward J Icovitti, SP4 Gordon S Roberts, PFC Earl R Phillips, SP4 David G
Heckendorn, SP4 Johnny W Smith, SP5 James E Gault, SP5 Larry D McGaha, (Second
Award) SP4 Robert W Gray, SP4 Luis E Rivera, SP5 Gilbert R Gonzalez, PFC Albert
D Sena, SP4 Hohn L Harris for heroism.
6 April 1970: CARETAKER 962 was parked in the 604th Maintenance area
and was damaged on the left side by a satchel charge thrown by a VC that
penetrated the fence line.
10 April 1970: CPT Karig (P) brought the aircraft to a hover and
moved forward off the pol pad. He was forced to set the aircraft down between
the pol pads because the aircraft was losing rpm’s. Operating rpm was considered
acceptable at 6400, and he hovered left for about 30 feet and again he was
forced to set the aircraft down. This time the ship was put down in a low spot,
but the other crew members WO Hatton (AC), SP4 Smith (CE), and PFC Ament (G)
were not cognizant of the aircraft’s position. CPT Karig then proceeded forward
in a low hover along a path where the ground raised about one (1) foot. As he
approached the psp runway, the rpm began to bleed off and the left skid struck
the edge of the psp causing the aircraft to roll over. No crew members were
injured.
15 April 1970: A GHOSTRIDER aircraft was on a sniffer mission at Dak Seang, WO
Wilkinson (AC), PFC Lee (CE) and Sp4 Holt (G), as they departed the dirt strip
at the camp, spider holes started to open up and they began seeing NVA coming
out of holes and heading toward the CIDG Camp at Dak Seang. As the GHOSTRIDER
left the AO they were called back to FSB Ben Het. Shortly after arrival they
were called back to Dak Seang to extract some Australian soldiers that were
wounded. They requested a blivet of water and some whiskey. The water and
whiskey was delivered but the wounded Aussie refused to leave. The aircraft did
not receive any enemy fire going in or out of the LZ.
16 April 1970: SP4 Ralph E Reed was
flying back from Kontum when an armor piercing round went through his machine
gun mount and into his groin, bouncing off his back plate and back through his
body lodging in his front armor plate.
25 April 1970: The battle on Hill 833 near Dak Seang was a major battle. AVENGER
158 was supporting the troops on the ground when they came under heavy enemy
ground fire. All crew members including
WO Pierce (AC),
CPT Mc Kibben (P),
SP4 Smith (CE)), and
PFC Adkins (G) were placing
effective fire on the enemy positions when the aircraft lost power and crashed
in the dense jungle killing all on board and destroying the aircraft. A
GHOSTRIDER slick was on approach with troops on board and the citation given to
the gunner for valor reads, in part, “While on final approach, PFC Lee's
aircraft was riddled by a hail of enemy fire. With the intense volume of
suppressive fire from PFC Lee, the pilots were able to continue the approach.
Because two (2) aircraft had been shot down in the LZ by heavy automatic weapons
fire, the small area was almost inaccessible. PFC Lee was forced to hang out of
the aircraft in order to keep the approach into the hostile area until the
mission was completed.” It was his third (3) day as a gunner.
27 April 1970: GHOSTRIDER 282 was flying with WO Dowd (IP) at the controls when
the 90 -degree gear box and tail rotor failed and separated from the aircraft.
Part of the assembly struck an indigenous female on the ground and she was
injured (extent of injuries was unknown). The aircraft landed without further
damage and no injury to the crew and passengers. Suspect components were
submitted for tear-down and inspection.
28 April 1970: GHOSTRIDER 865 piloted by WO Brooks (AC) was on approach and
started to lose power so the crew started throwing supplies off aircraft causing
center of gravity variations that caused the main rotor blades to strike a tree
and was charged as incident damage.
Motor vehicle shortages have become a problem. Recent messages from
the 1st Logistic Command indicated that assistance should be rendered
in the month of May on ¼ ton and 2 1/2 ton vehicles. The 189th
received none, zip, Eada.
3 May to 29 May 1970: The 189th AHC provided support to the 4th
Inf Div for massive operations into
6 May 1970: The 189th CO Maj Morgan, flying as Mission Commander,
directed the initial insertion of three (3) Battalions of US Infantry into
9 May 1970:
GHOSTRIDER 079 was shot down carrying a combat camera crew returning to Pleiku
from Du
11 May 1970:
GHOSTRIDER 488 crewed by WO Rostine (AC), WO Riovo (P), SP4 Hale (CE), and PFC
McKnight (G) made an approach to the LZ without identifying it, and entered the
area at a rapid pace, flared and maintained a hover at 25 feet over the tall
grass. He was cleared into the LZ by his crew and WO Rostine started his decent
when the main rotor blade struck a tree. His CE immediately cleared him right
and another tree was struck with the MR blades. As the aircraft settled to the
ground, the tail rotor struck the heavy brush and separated from the aircraft
causing the helicopter to come to rest in an upright position.
The 189th AHC were providing support and salaries for two (2) school
teachers at Tora Bei school. The support of the unit made it possible for the
school to continue.
22 May 1970:
WO Deuschle (AC) was landing in a hover hole in GHOSTRIDER 282 to extract troops
when main rotor blades struck a dead tree causing incident damage.
24 May 1970:
Maj George Morgan was C&C of the 119th GATORS, along with the 189th GHOSTRIDERS
and four (4) CH-47 Chinooks supporting the 47th ARVN Regt as they extracted
2,000 ARVNs from LZ Yellow and inserted them 7 kms north into an LZ in
10 June 1970:
WO Greife (AC) was flying GHOSTRIDER 409 in the vicinity of the Jurai Montagnard
village of Ena ("Tin City"'), near Duc Co, a SOG Camp west of Pleiku in the
Central Highlands. His aircraft experienced a broken transmission strap and
while banking sharply to avoid hostile ground fire during low level flight, his
aircraft experienced an engine failure. The aircraft struck the trees in a nose
low attitude after a valiant attempt by WO Greife to trade airspeed, altitude
and rotor rpm for glide distance. GHOSTRIDER 409 crashed about 200 feet short of
clearing the last tree line. WO Greife and SP5 Rash (CE) died on impact. SP4 Cox
(G) and WO York (P) were rescued by CWO Sottile from the 189th several hours
later. They were flown to the 77th
28 June 1970:
AVENGER 657 experienced a catastrophic engine failure shortly after refueling
and subsequent takeoff from the SOG Camp at Duc Co west of Pleiku, Central
Highlands with resulting crash. The gunship entered auto-rotation, landed and
skidded forward hitting several large tree stumps causing the aircraft to roll
over several times stopping in an upside down position. 1LT Terry Alan Mote (P)
was KIA from the crash. The other crew members were injured but survived: (AC)
W0 Cockrell, (CE) SP4 Falkner, (G) SP4 Schiemen. 1LT Mote died on 1 June 1970
from internal injuries, three (3) days after the aircraft crash.
20 July 1970:
GHOSTRIDER 865 was stabilized at a six (6) foot hover on a pinnacle LZ with WO
Saunders (P) at the controls as troops got off. One troop grabbed the crew
chief’s mike cord cutting off communications with the pilot and the aircraft
drifted to left rear and the main rotor blades struck a tree.
During the quarter, the 52nd CAB underwent a significant change of
missions as 20 VNAF aviators reported to the 189th AHC on 20 August
1970 and 20 VNAF aviators reported to the 170th AHC on 15 October
1970. Both groups were involved in Phase I & II of the Improvement and
Modernization Program. All operations and administrative functions and
activities of
20 August 1970:
The 189th AHC was providing support to the 5th SFG, II
Corps HQ, and the 4th Inf Div their mission changed when VNAF pilots
fresh out of flight school at Hunter AAF, Savannah, GA were assigned to the 189th
to be trained. The mission given the 189th was to train the VNAF
aviators in the art of air mobility and techniques of combat helicopter
operations in VN. As of 31 October 1970, the 20 VNAF had flown the minimum
number of hours required under the I&M Plan 70-51. Certain missions were still
performed for the 52nd CAB, using VNAF pilots with GHOSTRIDER pilots.
10 September 1970:
GHOSTRIDER 774 departed FSB Merideth en route to Ban Me Thout east, with
three(3) passengers on board. The mission was C&C aircraft and was proceeding to
Bam Me Thout for liaison when a loud bang was heard to the rear of the aircraft
which then yawed right and left about three (3) times then assumed an extreme
nose low attitude and began turning to the right. WO Veal (AC) entered auto
rotation and tried to control the nose low attitude, but then he decided to put
the aircraft into the trees. At 50 feet, he began to slow the aircraft and
pulled remaining pitch. The slick began to spin to the right and entered the
trees striking the left front cockpit area before settling in the trees after
striking a large tree. The aircraft came to rest on its right side. Crew members
were 1LT Hawthorne (P), SP5 Powers (CE), SP4 Main (G). There were (3) troops on
board and LTC Garver as C&C Commander was one (1) of those troops. All seven
people on the aircraft were injured.
In October the 189th started turning aircraft over to the VNAF. The
first to go were the AVENGER gunships and the pilots were sprinkled around the
52nd CAB. After the gunships left, the units missions started to
dwindle and helicopters were leaving daily. The aircraft that remained were
limited to ash and trash missions.
14 November 1970:
The 189th in its great effort to teach and show the VNAF its
techniques and ways of superior flight, let all who watched the progress know
that the 189th were as good as professors of training as well as in
the air on combat assaults. Many members of the 189th AHC committed
many hours and days to the effort of training the Vietnamese pilots and were
awarded the Training Service Medal for their performance.
DEPARTING WORDS
SALUTING THE MEN OF THE 189TH
HEADQUARTERS
The leaders of the 189th Terror Machine or as
the company calls them, the “Assault Paper Planners,” hung up their typewriters
and ink pens, and reminisce over those days of paper mountains, and ringing
bells. The Headquarters
Administration Team kept the machine of the 189th doing its thing on
time and with precision. They worked
in unison throughout the years to accomplish the success and greatness of the
189th Assault Machine. We
thank you “Brain Children of History” for keeping us together, for the best and
most remembered Assault Helicopter Company in
THE SILVER FIRST AIRLIFT
The final day had come for the big Silver First to lay down their blue bolt of lightning on the shelf of greatness and sit back and remember those days of gallantry, precision and recklessness which lead to victory and put fear in the hearts of many NVA and VC. The First lead the way in establishing the GHOSTRIDERS as leaders in the assault and rescue business with their reckless abandonment and “Never Say Die Attitude”. Silver First we salute you...you were put to the test and you came out victorious.
THE SCARLET SECOND AIRLIFT
The men, were all part of the gang, the infamous tribe of
fighting Scarlets. They remember the
shaving cream parties as well as troubles at Dak To and Dak Seang.
They laughed together, fought together and shared years together that
none will forget, even if they wanted to.
They worked as a precision team, a unit of “Go For All” and they win that
game hands down. They remember the
days of rain, fog and 51 caliber tracers.
They saw it and defeated it.
They also place their red bolt of lightning on the shelf and call it a day.
The remaining members of the 189th and units throughout the
THE AVENGER GUNS
The most feared and hated gun platoon in
MAINTENANCE
With all the loose nuts, bolts and other excess parts
stowed away and turned in, the CARTEKERS finally were able to sit back and relax
for the first time. These hard
working “Go Too” workers of the 604th Maintenance Detachment keep
them flying through all types of weather and difficult situations.
It was their strong will to maintain a number one status that keeps the
ships in the air. The back bone of
the 189th Terror Machine excelled in all areas of proficiency.
They lowered their pulley half-mast as they left
MOTOR POOL
If there is one part of the unit that is more like “Ole
Dad”, it is the motor pool. Signing
out trucks, running machines and repairing vehicles was their business.
No one can forget those vehicles that ran forever and when they stopped,
how fast they were back on the road.
The motor pool crew kept the 189th the fastest and most sure to be
there company on