UNCLASSIFIED

AD NUMBERAD389959

CLASSIFICATION CHANGES

TO: unclassified

FROM: confidential

LIMITATION CHANGES

TO:Approved for public release, distributionunlimited

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Distribution authorized to U.S. Gov't.agencies and their contractors;Administrative/Operational Use; 10 AUG1966. Other requests shall be referred toAssistant Chief of Staff for ForcesDevelopment [Army], Washington, DC 20310.

AUTHORITY31 Aug 1978, DoDD 5200.10; OAG D/A ltr, 29Apr 1980

THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED

SECURITYMARKING

The classified or limited status of this repoit applies

to each page, unless otherwise marked.Separate page printouts MUST be, marked accordingly.

THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OFTHE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE LAWS, TITLE 18,U.S.C., SECTIONS 793 AND 794. THE TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OFITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BYLAW.

NOTICE: When government or other drawings, specifications or otherdata are used for any purpose other than in connection with a defi-nitely related government procurement operation, the U. S. Governmentthereby incurs no responsibility, nor any obligation whatsoever; andthe fact that the Government may have formulated, furnished, or in anyway supplied the said drawings, specifications, or other data is notto be regarded by implication or otherwise as in any manner licensingthe holder or any other person or corporation, or conveying any rightsor permission to manufacture, use or sell any patented invention thatmay in any way be related thereto.

HEAI 3, ER 7TH-AR IZRY GROUPAPOBanFrncico96307

L 0AVGH-CO si0 Ahief of__

SUBJECT rational /e wt, orLor 3ero in

~ ~ ~3 JuIS X66itefr pero Icoer16 through3 eebr16 n

QOa 0

ianary 196thoughf 30I8l April 1966.E~

2. (U csOant cion ta oe

1. tr, The

foth pertionJl 95to 30Speme r 1965 uboqen raeportsHowere

2."(1 lgitin Cif of Ctf or ot;aelpmn

6th Battalion, 7ist Artillery 1Lt Col. Rowlan L. laller

19th Ordnance Detachment (GofS)(HAWK) tej Al S. Adlock

Ij DDane D° Niller

h59th Signtal Detachment (A) 10 Coil~m) ls Lt Wilai.m R. Weinreich

3. (U) This opratilonal report incorpotd ayivities nd recommend-

founs rom the to assigned detahments. The meo b1ttains assigned sub-sib reports under separate cover1

TJWNGRADED AT 3 YEAR INtRVAIS Cyjf.22_y

£a CLASSIFTl D AF£EIR 12 YEAPS I /DOD Dco 5I E It

HQ 9 f7A

6t atloo5t rii, tClJs H.Hli

II6t Battal I ion 71s Ati llery II Lt Co RolaI L. 11 l I I II

AVOH-CO 10 August 1966SUM=CT: Operational Report on lessons Learned for Quarterly Period

Ending 31 July 1966 (RCS CSGPO-28 (R1))(U)

2CTION I. (3) Significant Organization or Unit Activitiess

I. tC) General

This report covers the period 1 May 1966 through 31 July 1966.During thi period, all elements continued to direct their efforts toward.improving both tactical and administrative areas, and improving their tac-tical proficiency in preparation for the Annual Service practice which is tobe conducted at the end of September. No engagements were recorded againsthostile aircraft.

b. During this period, the first major change of command odcurredsince 5 January 19 96 . Major Al S. 1edlock, who had been commanding the 79thOrdnance Detachment, departed for CONUS on 24 July and was replaced by MajorDuane D. tailler. This command assignment is only an interim measure. Thecommand will, in the near future, be turned over to an Ordnance Officer.

c. During the month of July, constructiQn work began on two newtactical sites which-are to be occupied by tctical firing batteries.

(1) In the Saigon area, a site was finally approved for ABattery of the 56th Artillery. The 159th Engineers are suplorting thisproject and work is proceeding satisfactorily. It is anticipated that thebattery will move on or about 1 September 1966.

(2) The anticipated starting date of preparing Hon Tre Ipland(Nha Trang) for occupancy by Btry C of the 71st Artillery was delayed forover one month, but finally initiated by the 864th Engineers during July.The Beneficial Occupancy Date (BOD) for this site is now projected for 30September 1966.

d. Site improvement has continued at all batteries, and definiteimprovement can be noted, both where contract or engineering support has beenavailable) and in areas where it has been strictly "self-help". All unitsnow have semi-pempnnent mess halls, administrative buildings and maintenancefacilities. Several are completely housed in semi-permanent buildings. Theself-help program has been particularly successful. All units have demon-strated that, given the materials and nlans, a well organized, well construc-ted camp will materialize.

e. Distinguished visitors during the period of this report in-

cluded:

VISITOR 'TILE DOTE OF VISIT

HaJ Gen Forsythe AC of S, G-3, LaTSPAC 2 May 66Brig Gen Mount Dop C of S, UWdRW 1O may 66Naj Gen Tillson AC of S, J-3, VACV 16 Jun 66Brig Gen Moore Pr", USARV 22 Jun 66

2

CONFIDENTIAL(

AVGH-C0 IO August 1966SUBJECTs Operational Report on Lessons Learned for Quarterly Period

Ending 31 July 1966 (RCS CSGiO-28 (Rl))(U)

U Gen Engler Dop OG, US;RV 22 Jun 66Brig Gen Crittenberger Ii -Fl Arty Crdr 23 Jun 66Mpaj Gen Davidson Designate CG USAC & GS Col 29 Jun 66Col Dan R Davis Sys Spt Div Chief 15 Jul 66

HA K Project Tianagcr 141COM

f. During the period 27-29 June, Tho 6th Battalion, 71st Artillerywas inspected i- the Inspector General USARV. Although no adjectival ratingwas swarded, the battalion received many favorable comments from the 1.0.and later received a letter from the Depuzvy Coinnanding General USARV commend-ing them for their fine showing. The Group Headquarters, 79th Ordnance Dotand 459th Signal Det are scheduled to bc insnected by the I.G. during theperiod 1-3 August. This inspection will complete all elements of the Groupfor 1966.

g. During the period of this r,eport, increased ephasis was placedon the savings bond program. At the b:,inning of the period approximately72% of the personnel assigned to the Group were participating. By 31 July,2250 of the assigned 2318 were participating for a percentage rate of 97percent. Emphasis will continue to be placed on maintaining a high percent-age in this program.

h. 79th Ordnance Detachment. This unit has continued to accomplishboth its siunly and meintenance mission in a highly superior manner.

(1) Work has continued on improvinf the compound. Significantdevelopments in this program havc been; (1) sutrfecing ,nd ditching of allroads, (2) instAllation of culverts and Improvenent of drainage, (3) sand-baging of all tents, (4A) constriction of a twelve foot high barbed wirefence - backed with concertina wire - around the entire ocrimoter, (5) erect-ion of steel gates at both entrances. It is exoocted that construction ofthe warcho -nis nnd nj.tr-tive bodildngs, wnich havc been let on civiliancontract, will begin in late Au.rast.

(2) Very fcw problems have been encountered in working new re-placements into the operation of thc detachmenit. The mAjority have recentlybeen school trained and have an accentablc knlodge of their duties. Thisstatement is also true of those, individuals who have transferred to the 79thfrom other commands. The only criti.cal 11S zortnre which presently existsis 23T and soi. improve|ment his taken place,

(3) A decrease in zero balnces has resulted in better supportfor the customer. The depot hs ecreased th1. zcru balance from 5 1 lines at

the end of the previous qurtor to 363 lirncs int the close of operations on31 July 1966. There continues to bQ j iainro vcaint in tl.c area of requisit-ions received thtt match the depot ASL. The average shop reorder time dur-ing this period for 02 priority is nine (9) days and for f5 priority 17 days.This figure is the number of days which clapse from the date of requisitionto the date of ~oipt of material.

CONFIDENTIAL3

AVGH-CO 10 August 1966SBJECT: Operational Report on Lhssons Learned for Quarterly Period

Ending 31 July 1966 (RCS CSGPO-28 (Pd))(U)

ai() General Support Maintenance Operations: The maintenance

' facility did not experience any significant changes during the period. A"clean room" was comipleted for the purpose of testing and repairing the highthat the maintenance facility could effectively repeir many pieces of test

equipment hnd other comipoents wich were previously sent to property dis-posal. This wes also experienced in some of the unserviceable returns whichwere formerly sent to CO1EUS as unserviceable excesses. These items are re-paired and returned to depot stock.

I. h59th Signal Detachment. During the period of this report, theunit has worked toward the accomplishment of its mission, improving the bil-leting and working areas and improving physical security.

(1) Consolidation of systems as reported in the nrevious reporthas been accomplished. -rith the communication center located in the samebuilding as signal maintennce and the Detachment Headquarters, personnelutilization and control of systems has been greatly enhanced.

(2) Inexperienced replacements continue to arrive in this unit.These personnel (switchboard operators) require many hours of supervised on-the-job training in order to function effectively. This situation is aggra-vnted by the fact tht personnel in YOS 311' (VIF and Crrier operator), acritically short US, must be used to train the'se individuals.

(3) Personnel shortages have been alleviated in some HOS's.fHowover, 'OS 3lJ, both operator ond team chief, is critically short Pndfuture losses will gravely effect the operational efficiency of the unit.Replacements received during this quarter have been sritchboard operatorsand signal maintenance personnel. '..ese replacements oar presently under-going OJT and cross training on teletype, patch panel and wire installation.It is not possible to train this type individual Jn the duties of a VHF andCarrier (,OS 31N) Cperator.

(I) A rroblem in nrocuremnt of strters and mognetos for gen-erator SF-IO-O-40 arose whon the maintenince support activity discontinueddirect exchange of these items. Magnetos in most instances are not repair-able and therefore uust be requisitioned. Bcceuse they have been directexchenge itei:s in the p;'sL they wore not added to the unit's PLL. Thisj unit presently has three (3) generators deadlined awaiting magnetos.

2, (C) Intelliacnce activities

a. The -ctivities of the S2 section, 97th Artillery Group (,'D),continued to be devoted to assuring that intolligunce data wns constantlyup dated, conducting intelligence briefings on the enemy air order of battle,.;distributing classified docuncnts end processing nersonnel security applica-tions.

b. Another )ctivity throurgh the period was distribution of mnpsto verious stnff sections and subordinate units,

CONFIDENTIAL

- 4 -- I I ID N

SUBJECT s Operational Report on LesLar nod, for Quarterly PeriodEndig 31July1966 (RCS QSGPO. .28 (Rl))(U)

c4 Regularly schedluled classificd mesage center trips to higherhesdquaer wer cutie sme extent due to the establishment of a

courier service in the Tan ' on Dhut arco. However, mressapges with immediateprecedence, which must be pickcd up as soon Ps possible, increased and. thenumbor of actual. trips to the niessage center did not decrease ovcr, the por-iod.

d. The 3W2 Section published, A security regulation during the per-I iod which combined requirements of' higher hoodclp Arters into a -single publi-cation . This rogulation bmphasized the requireraonts which should be of par-ticular intercst to air defense units and clarified general security Tproced-ures. As a result of this regulation, the overall security Program4 has shownconsiderable izaprovement.

lee .a The clearance processing roeined at approxima-tely the sameeeaslast period. There was no large chnnge in the rate of turnover

ofpersonnel.

3@ (0) Oporations and Trainina

a. On 28 Ua~r of this year, 7th Air Force established P. new Control,nnd. Reporting (CHC) fzacility at Ton Son iNhut Air Base. 'This greatly enlargeda1nd improved facility provided qpacc to be utilized by the 97th Group. Since

-this headqurters does not have sufficient personnel to mavn both an Army AirDefense Command Post (AADCP) and a CRC section, and considering the fact thatsections electronically, the decision was mi.,de to collocate the AADCP with

the Air Force MdC. The old AIDOP building was, therefore, abandoned on 28

1-,,y, the day on which the section boocene opa-.rotionai in the new building0o

This change in operption has proven advantagcoas in every respect, but ofparticuilir importance is thu fzlcility and speed with which targets can beplotted And idontified. The coordination affected within the CIRC betweenAir Force and Army Air Defense Controllers hns proven of materilal benefit toboth, a , Army-D organic radnrs are frequently i.ascd to provide aircraft, identi-fication to the Ur Force,. After only two months of activity it hns becomeobvious thcat this colloca.tion has resulted in a more efficient air defenseope rition.

b. During the reporting period, twelve Oprational Readiness Eval-uatons(OR) werc conaucted by the Group OE~ team. Eleven units were rated

* combat rendy with ratings varying from Highly Superior to Satisfactory. Onebattery was rated urnsatisfactory, due to equipment problems.

c. On ). June 1966, Ba-.tter-y 0, 6th Battalion, 71st Artillery movedfrovi its initial position on the Ca-m Rhen Peninsula CP051.323 to a new loca-tion at coordinates U05~6316. The move which neither degraded nor improved{ the defense, was required when tho Air Force decided to construct in addit-iona. runw;ay and exp~and its facilities,

* CONFIDEINTIAL

AVOW-GO 10 August 1966

SUBJECTs Operational Repor; oil .,>Lyn Learned for Quarterly Periodn .j . -c t96, (RCS, CSGPO -28 (Rl ))(Iu)

& On 6 J- 1y 1966 construction was initiated on the Hon Tra Islandsite (Vic Na Tra-ng). Since this facility is to be occunied jointly by thair force, axry artillry, army signal and armr transportation, it was nec-essary that all nctions be coordinated. Since the 6th Battalion, 71st Ar-tillery - an element of 97th Group - will deploy the largest body of troopsto the area and they have been given highest priority for occupancy, theyhave been delegated as the coordinating unit. Several meetings have beenconducted at 97th Group ith all interested units attending. Plans for theadministration of the island have been developed and tactical sites assignedto the satisfaction of all. It is expected that the island will be occupiedon or about 30 September.

4. (C) Personnel and Administrative Activities

a. Parsonnel losses during the period of this report were 15 off-icers and 215 EI. Gains for the same period were 62 officers and 517 EM,There has continued to be substantial increase in most of the cominon NOSskills, however there still is P shortage in hprd skill I, DSts. Three schooltrrined EU possessing Me1 23T arrived during this period which helped toalleviate to some extent one of our criticpl problem areas, however, a short-age in this MOS still exists. DA has indicated that there is a criticalshortage world wide, The Groun evolved throughout the period to a Stets whereit is presently double staffed in most of the Senior NCO and officer positions.This is due to the fact that replacements had, 6 uonths ago, been requisitionedin Pccordance vith a USRV policy designed to spread our losses over a 90 dayDeriod and diminish the effects of the rotational huRp. This prronm wvat dis-apnroved by DA, as indicated in our last report, -nd our request that avail-ability dates on these individuIls be moved up to August ond September wasIJkewise disepproved by DA.

b, Morale hs continued to rom,.in high. Promotion allocations haveincrea-sed during this period mainly in the Senior NCO0 grades. Tibis has allow-ed the group to promote many of its outstanding NCO's. R&0 quotps have con-tinued at an excellent rate. Our first quotas for .11 in Hawaii were receivedin July. Special Sarvice issues have continued nt a satisfhabory rate. Avariety of wiater sporting goods was issued to the units in the Cam Ranh Bay -Nha Trang area, the only area in gr'oup where they can be utilized.

c. Both battalions received the annual I.G. Inspection, and al-though adjectival ratings avre not given, remarks were very complimentoxy.i oth units received letters from Lt. Gen. Jean Engler cormiending themil onthe results of their inspoction. They are the only units in Vietnam to havereceived such a letter as oP this time.

d, The Civic Action Program has continued to be emphasized withinthe Group Headquarters and assigned battalions. Under the USARV Civic ActionSanitation Project the group provided 21 ton trucks, a sdooploader, and driversfor the trash and refuse collection in Saigon.

6. CON FIDENTIAL

AVGH-CO 10 August 1P66SUBJECT: 0cerational Report on Lessons Learned for Quarterly Period

Ending 31 July 966 (RCS CIGO-28 (R1))(U)

ei Units continue to employ Vietnamese domestic labor at an aver-age wage of seventy-five piastres per day.

f. During the reporting period, the Group processed the followingawards:

Bronze Star 19Ariy Comendation Medal 107Air Medal 2Air Force Commendation 'Medel '4Purple Heart 1Soldiers Mtdal 1

5. (C) Logistical Activities

a, Gener.ls here has been a continuel and steady improvement inPll aspects of logistics during the reporting period. lluch emphasis is stillrequirbd at II levels, by both €oinmmand and technicnl supervisory personnel,to insure that everything possible is being done to provide timely and ade-quate support of the tactical and a.dministrative mission.

b. Supply:

(1) Class I supply continues to be good, considering port dis-charge problems and the lack of ?dequite in-country cold storage facilities.

(a) Units are experiencing expensive waste in the fresh veg-etable line, particularly potatoes, which arrive at the port in excessivelylarge quantities. Troop mosses receive forced issue, far in excess of theirrequirements and their ability to preserve in storage, The units cannot con-sumo them before they rot and then they must do without.

(b) Potable ice receipts are still insufficient and icemachi.nes are still not available.

(2) Class 11 & IV activities continue to improve slowly, butrequire a bold and activo management program to rid the system of costlybottlenecks.

(a) Requiisitions vith Issue Priority Designators (IPD) 02and 05, wthich c.annot be filled from the supporting supply Pctivity are passedto the 2nd Logistical Command, Okinawa. Evidently no ottempt is made to fillthe demond if stocks should be received in response to a station-stock requi-sition.

(b) Du-in EAT: stptus cards and issue documents aro beingreceived which do not perpotuate the roquisitionerIs document number. Thisnecessitptes oxtensivo research of the document register in an effort toiocito P dompnd for the FSN received.

CONFIDENTIAL

AVGH-CO l Io August 1966SUBJECT: 'Oporational Report on Lessons Learned for Quarterly Period

Ending 31 July 1966 (RCS CSGPO.28 (Ri))(U)

(c) Due-in tichine listings were received during this re-port neriod, but only covered PD 12 and 17, excluding those more urgentlyrequired items requisitioned with IPDs 2 and ,

(d) In view of the situations doscribed in (a) Pnd (c)above, it. is 1stulned that no record of dc.i.ands is maintained at the sup-'porting supply Pctivity for items requisitioned with iPD 02 and a5

(a) Repair Parts (PLL/ASL)i

1 7neator-cora..-on rcpair parts requisition fill has in-creased from 20% to 327 fill, but en over increasing backlog of due-ins forPLL/ASL items, presently at zero balance, has created A greater demand forRed Ball Express service for equipment deadline parts resupply. The PLL/ASLfor non-Hawk System repair parts in the 6th Bn, 71st Arty has gone froh astatus of 5% lines at zero balance in October 1965, to 29% of the total auth-orized lines at zero balance. The -greatest lack 'of fill has been experiencedin engineer Pnd signal repair prts, with only 15% fill. The 6th Bn, 56thArty situation is much bettor, with Saigon Support Commnnd providing closeto 6o% fill. Both battalions have been following Pn eggressive supply re-plenishment progrm with appropriate follow-up action.

2 Hiwk System replir parts supply, by the 79th Ordnance

Det.,chment (GM/0) pvrts depot, has shown continued improvement from 78% fillin April 1966 to 82% fill in July 1966.

(i') Office atd housekeeping supnlies axe now evpilnble inadequa-te quantities through the Sclf-Scrvico Supply Center, which is ex-tremely well organized and mnnnged.

(g) There is no shortage of dog food at the present time,but the quality of the food is questionable and requires close inspection.Glass, boll weevils, lorvae nnd other foreign matter have been found in thefood. The veterinarians Pro awa e of the problem and have takon action toestablish tighter quality controls -nd the use of specialized brrier pack-Pging to preclude penetration by insects.

(h) Paint for equipment protection continues in shortsupply.

(i) PON requisitioned itumrs) ordered on 21 Aug 65, con-tinuo to arrive in piecemeal fashion. On 21 July 1966 this hcdquarters re-ceived a PON Requisition Status Listing from the U.S. Arav Logistic ControlOffice, Pacific, Ft. Mason, California which provided shipping status, whereavailable, on Pll filled demands. F-. 11ason has initiated tr.cor action onall open requisitions.

(J) The medium -nd large general purpose tents uscd forbillets, storage, maintenance, iess -nd administ.-.tion began to rot beyondrepair during this period, This is attributed to constant exposure to thesevere tropical elements. Replacement tWits -re very difficult to obtain,

CONFIDENTIAL

I _____8

AVGH-CO 10 August 1966

SUBJECT: Ooertionl Report on Lessons Learned for Quarterly PeriodEnding 31 July 1966 '(RCS CSGPO-28 -(RI))(U)

This me,1ns that some units are expericncing an overcrowding of personnelwhich will continue until now tents are issued or buildings constructed.

(k) Class IV construction and bnrrior mpterials hgre stillin relatively short supply, though much i.nrovemcnt has been experienced inthis area.

(3) Class III support has continucd to be excellent.

(a), Arrangements have bocn n-do by the Class, III Officer,1st Logistical Command to have all diesel fuel issued to air defenso unitssocially filtered, similpr to the procedures for AVGAS. It is anticipated

thp't this will nrreclude those generator failures which have boon occasionedby contaminated Duel. All Hawk units have now been incorporated into themonthly petroleu qulity surveillance, and technical liaison advisory vi--sits are conducted by petroleum lbor,,tory personnel from the 1st LogisticalComnand.

(b) Vo enable units of this command to comply with class-iliad USARV message, cite AVD-1 50279, Subject: Emergency POL Supply Plan(U), 21 Jan 66, units of this command should be equipped with collapsiblefabric petroleum tanks in lieu of the pods presently on hand.

(4) Class V support hAs continued to be satisfactory.

c. Maintenance:

(1) Non-A',4K equipment

(a) Units have begun to expcriencc an increase in non-oper-ational equipment (non-4A1K) which is directly attributable to the shortageof reprir pprts. (See para b(2)(c)l above)

(b) Ficld Waintonance support has shown continuous improv-mont with improved fncilities ,nd bettor 'Managemont, however, engineer gen-erator maintenance still suffers from lack of adequate parts stockago andtochnically qualified personnel.

(c) Controlled substitution has been effectcd, when nec-essary, to kcp the maximum amount of equipment operational.

(d) Red Ball Express has been very effective in providingequipment dcadline parts, when they wore not available in the theater supplysystem.

(2) Hawk System organizational and field macintenanco has shownadditional improvement due to greater demand fill (ref para b(2)(e)l-abovo).

9 CONFIDENTIAL

m . . . . . .. . . .. . '-m . . .... ... m l

SUBJECTi Operational Report on Lessons Learned for Quarterly Period13 July 1966 (RCS csGPO-28 (R1s)oU)

A d, eacl 'Etate:

(1) Lrndt MNiAV Pnd Joint General Staff approvals have now been

ranted -on all real, cbtatc required by presently assigned organizations. Re-

quests for land in new geogrpphical areas arc pending approval.

(2) Buildingsi A request for renewal of the lease on the Group

Headquarters offices nd -building facility was submitted to repl- stato auth-

orities in July. The present lease will expire. 26 September.

a. Semi-Permanent Site Devclopment (.CA):

(1) Erineer troop construction, assisted to a groat extent by

unit self-help, has progressed jrapidly whorc adequatc personnel, equipment

md mteridls are Available. Progress is satisf.-ctory at Mi, A and D Btryrs,

6th Bn, 56th Arty and H), A. B, And D Btrys, 6th Bn, 71st Arty. Nothing has

been done for sitc development of Btry B, 6th Bn, 56th Arty because the re-

quired engineer troop support hr's n,t boon mode available duo to their com-

mitments td higher priority projects. The beneficial occupancy date (BOD)

has been slipped from 15 Yprch 1966 to 31 October 1966.

(2) Contracted construction at Btry C, 6th Bn, 56th Arty com-

menced in July and is going ahead very rapidly. Work has not yet commenced

at the 79th Ord and 459th Sig Dots area, where the warehouse (70' X 140')for parts storage has been given first priority.

f. Transportation:

(I) Eye Field Forces Vietnam (IFMV) at Nha vang has recently

been assigned the mission of providing the 6th Bn, 71st ,.rty with on-call

aerial re-supply transportation support. This support has long -been required.

It ill trahsport maintenance personnel, Parts and deadlincd equipment 24

hours per dy between the Bn Hqs Pt Cam Ranh Bay and Btry D located at Nha

Trang.

SECTION II. Lessons Learncd nnd Com'nanders Recommendations

1, Lessons Lcrneds

a. Oerations

Aircraft htecticn and Identification

Item: Aircraft Detection and Identification Utilizing B.WiK Systemn Radars

Disoussiop: Location cnd ceabilit.cs of IMY1. system radrs will in

some cases allow surveillance in eeas where US Air Force surveillance radars

are limited by mesking, ground clutter or electronic edad zones", Duo to

this situation, there heve been rumerous instnnces, especially in the Cam Ranh

Bay- Nha Trangg, ra,_ whera HW1 aided the US Air Force in detection and

CONFIDENTIAL

AVGH-CO 1oAugust 1966SUBJECT: Cerati6nl Report on Lessons Lci.rned for Quorterly -Period

Ending 31 July 1966- (RCS CSGPO-28 (Ri)-)(U)

identification of aircraft Duo rim-rily to the increased coordinationwhich hps resulted from the AF/Iji collocation in the CRC, the Air Forcemovement ndI idcntification section has a better understvnding of the W'i,'Kradar cpabilities; as n result, H:K is frequently called upon to aid insurveillence nnd interrogetion- of unidentified ircraft. in -a majority of

the cpscs, the response from the R'l:X units has, ollowed accurptc and timelyidentificaticn, thcrcby precluding the neces. y for scramble of interceptorsto make Visuil identification. This situntin has provided dollar savings inthe coste of the Air Force, rnd hlas rdled to the prestige of the 1MXK Systcm.

Observtion: Emphasis must be given to the use of H-I( radars in airdefense surveillance end identification in AF/ADA joint air defense operat-ions. Furthermoro, emphasis must be placed on maintenance of k acquisi-tion IFF capabilities, and on training of operators in iFF techniques, toinsure that the M11,K system will respond to requests in this area of airdefense operations.

b. Intelligence

Item: Hap Storage

Discussion: Prior to departure from CONUS this section was issuedmap coverage in at least five copies of all of South Vietnam. Experience -

has shown that Pir defense units require rclatively few maps and these of* particular areas only. Further, map depots in Vietnam have adequate map

coverage for immediate distribution to all units.

Observation: Air Defense units to be deployed to Vietnem should beissued maps in GONUS only of the areas whore they are to be deployed. Add-itionl mm s, if noeded upon arrival, could be drawn from map depots.

c. Logistics

Item: Rusting of "Voapons

Discussion: A woipens storage facility equipped writh e hoting lempwill hopconbat corrosion of stored wcapons. However, finger prints lefton a weapon will corrode, even under these conditions, within a twenty-fourhour period.

Observation: After cleaning r weapon, personnel should be instructed to

wipe all fing.pr prints from mtp.1 surfaces with an oily rag.

Item: Chassis Deterioration

Discussion: Xpra" chassis Pnd electronic comonents stored in the depotwarehouse Prc not in depot sealed packages. Noisturo and dust join togetherto quickly deteriorate electrical components. Plastic bags end paper sacks

CONFIDENTIAL

I I I I I II I I II I I I I I I I I I "- -

AVGH-CO 1o August 1966SUBJECT: Operational Report on Lessons Loarned for Quartbrly Period

Ending 31 July 1966 (RCS CSGPO-2& (Ri))(U)

have been useful both in protecting these components from the elements andalso.protecting small parts frcm loss during shipment,

Observation: This is not on authorized sealed package but it has provensuccessful in all respects in the depot.

Item: Terrain Stability

Discussion, This unit moved intc the present location approximatelyton- (10) months age during the monsoon season. Tiud rznd water on the sitewas about one (1) foot deep. The terrain was incapable of supporting equip-ment Of any considerable weight. After the monsoon season was over the sitewas graded and lanrge ditchcs werc dug forming a satisfactory drainage net-work. The, earth Pround the Tan Son Nhut area is such that if well drainedit will remain firm. At present even Pfter a month of considerable rain theterr.-in which is well drained is fully capable of supporting heavy equipment.In hcavily used ireps Smell crushed rock is ll that is needed to preventunpassable mud.

Observation: This solution may not be practical in all areas but has

proven quite successful in the Saigon area.

d. Other

Maintnance Program - -M.;

Item: Contingency Dnintenanco Plans

Discussion: Duo to the increased state of defense readiness during thereporting period, it was deemed necessary to place all units of the HMNX de-fonse on a 5-minuto state of alert for extended periods. Because no timewas allowed to release units for scheduled mointonance, program revisionswere necossrry to insure the increased state of alert could be maintained.

Observation: To preclude unnecossary time delays and equipment down-time, a contingency maintennnce progrom should be prepared by all units.This will ,llow for ranximum mpintcn-nce with minimum confusion during per-iods of sustained high states of alert.

2. (C) Commanders Recomm endations:

It is recommended that:

The 4TCE i,!o. i4-12E submitted by this headquarters on 19 December 1965be approved with6ut delay. The 97th Artillery Group was not organized under

Y an existing WE . TO& Wt-12E was the basis for organization, but only por-tions of five paragraphs were authorized, and these vere modified and changed.This authorization did not provide sufficient personnel or equipment to ade-quately meet the needs of the defense. This group serves both as a tactical

12FIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

AVGH-CO 10 August 1966SUJD'T, OretJoral Report on Lessons Learned for Quarterly Period

Ending 31 July 1966 (RCS CSGPO-28 (Rl))(U)

headquarters and as a major administrative command under USARV. The changesincorporated in this I2OE are essential to the groupt's mission. The addi-tions of the Automatic Fire Distribution System and the Defense AcquisitionRadar will greatly improve the air defense posture of Vietnam. The MTOE-was approved by USARPAC and forwarded to DA in February 1966. No report ofany action taken by DA has been received by this command.

STEFN C. BUCHANANColonel, ArtilleryCommanding

£3 CONFIDENTIAL

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