The United States Army has been through many changes since its start in 1775, yet it remains the greatest, most disciplined all volunteer fighting force in the world. Like the service members of the past and present, many Army units have contributed to the success of our military, and like those service members many have been lost. Even though these units are not as well known as the divisions they have belonged to, they have enriched the history of our Army just the same. The achievements of the 123rd Aviation Battalion have contributed to the history and success of our nations battles.
In 1968, the United States Army activated the 123rd Aviation Battalion, creating a remarkable unit that was comprised of several Army assets. The design of the battalion revolutionized how assets could be combined to complete many missions by mixing infantry, signal, aviation, and support units. The 123rd’s mission ranged from was to collect intelligence, deliver supplies, insert and extract infantrymen, and provide air support. In addition to their primary mission they also participated in medical evacuation, an invaluable asset on the battlefields of Vietnam.
The 123rd Aviation Battalion was comprised of multiple airframes of which included the OH-23 Raven, OH-6 Cayuse, UH-1 Huey, AH-1 Cobra, and even at one point an attachment of CH-47 Chinooks. According to the Resume of the 123rd Aviation Battalion the A Company and B Company delivered over 1,400 tons of cargo, destroyed 575 structures, killed over 700 enemy combatants, and provided medical evacuation to 114 people. All of these accomplishments took place in 1968, prior to receiving an attachment of CH-47 Chinooks. The scout aircraft provided intelligence by either flying over...
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...ary wing aircraft, someone decided to create such a mix of elements to execute such a wide range of missions is truly remarkable. The members of the 123rd Aviation Battalion should be proud of the mission they performed and the lives they impacted while fighting in Vietnam. The 123rd Aviation Battalion’s history and achievements have brought great credit to the Army and Army Aviation.
Works Cited
Center of Military History. (2008, September). Lineage and Honors Information. Company C,
123D Aviation. Retrieved from http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/lineages/ branches/av/123avco-c.htm Okerlund, T. (n.d.). Resume of the 123d Aviation Battalion. History of B Company 123d Avn
Bn. Retrieved from http://www.bco123rdavnbn.org/id15.html
Okerlund, T. (n.d.). Tactics Summary. Unit History. Retrieved from http://www.bco123rdavnbn
.org/id1.html
... of South Vietnam that resulted in the fall of Saigon on 30 April. In the previous month a RAAF detachment of 8 Hercules transports flew humanitarian missions to aid civilian refugees displaced by the fighting, and carried out the evacuation of Vietnamese orphans before finally taking out embassy staff on 25 April (Dudley 179).
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(Kangas) Other notable successes came from elements like 5-62 ADA. They were the first air defense units to move into Iraq attached to Airborne unit troops and equipment. Their mission was to assist ground forces with the Stinger and Vulcan weapon systems under the protection of Patriot Batteries from the 11th BDE. (Kangas) In return for the protection, 5-62 ADA Stinger units would offer critical air coverage to Patriot due to its weakness and vulnerability to low flying aircraft.
Thesis. Air War College, 1987. http://www.airwar.edu//a>. Maxwell, Alabama: United States Air Force, 1987. DTIC Online -.
Assigned 815 Troop Carrier Squadron, flying C-130s from Ashiya AFB, Japan in support of 315 Air Division 1958. Assigned as Operational Plans Officer, 315 Air Division 1959.
...the advance into Iraq. Armed with the Multiple-Launch Rocket System, the Field Artillery men of this battalion provided accurate and devastating fire throughout the entire campaign. The rockets were so deadly; the Iraqi soldiers called them "steel rain." Today the Guard continues its vital peacekeeping effort in Southwest Asia.
Haulman, Dr. Daniel L. "Tuskegee Airmen-Escorted Bombers Lost To Enemy Aircraft." Thesis. Air Force Historical Research Agency, 2008. Print.
“40th Anniversary of the All-Volunteer Force (ARMY).” Stand-To: The Official Focus of the U.S. Army. Stand-To! Edition. July 1, 2013. army.mil. n. pag. Web. 1 April 2014.
Lawson, Robert L., and Barrett Tillman. U.S. Navy Air Combat: 1939-1946. Osceola, WI: MBI Pub., 2000. Print.
...s the world to execute the Air Force mission at a moment’s notice. Being part of the 389th Fighter Squadron allows me to be able to conduct a variety of missions (close air support, defensive counter air, air interdiction) allowing me to contribute directly to the Air Force mission. My service to the Air Force adds directly to generation of air power and the execution of global strike and precision engagement anywhere at any time.
In 1957, the army began developing a new fighting force based on the helicopter. ...
Johnson, it was time to change the way we were distributing our forces to help aid the Southern Vietnamese military forces (History.com, 2010). The use of aircrafts first started out to transport wounded off the battlefield, but quickly turned into the use of different chemicals such as agent orange, to destroy brush for troops to travel through easier. Operation Rolling Thunder started out as just a discussion among those of higher ranking command, but on March 1965 the talk became action (Pike, 2016).
The Vietnam War both demonstrated the excellence of air defenders, and helped America learn lessons in order to evolve into an era with even better air defense than ever thought possible. The American military did not shoot down a single aircraft with air defense weapons during the Vietnam War. There were many operations which air defenders made a difference in Vietnam. Several of these operations occurred on Route 9. The events on Route 9 proved very difficult and brutal, however Sergeant Stout and other air defenders demonstrated the excellence still expected of air defenders today. The success of the North Vietnamese forced the United States (U.S.) to become better equipped as well. During operation
With the Army gearing its forces towards an expeditionary force, it is important to remember what Technical Escort Units bring to the fight. They can operate in a small group with such expertise that they truly are a force multiplier. These units will continue to evolve and provide this nations Army with unmatched CBRN capabilities. They will continue to be the longest active surviving CBRN unit in the nation.