281st Ahc W Vn Svc Magnets

On 7 October 1965, the 281st Assault Helicopter Company, Airmobile Light was activated at Fort Benning. By 9 June the following year, the newly formed company set up its headquarters inside the 5th SFG compound at Nha Trang Bay, Republic of Vietnam. The unit's mission was to provide air movement of troops, supplies and equipment under the direct supervision of the commanding officer, 5th SFG. The 281st became the first organized special operations helicopter unit in the U.S. Army. Army historians consider the 281st to be the legacy unit for today's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), abbreviated as 160th SOAR(A).

The First American Helicopter Unit attached to Project Delta was 145th Airlift Platoon. Although the 145th provided support in 1965, the 145th Air Lift Platoon Direct supported of Delta Operations shows up in After Action Report (AAR) for Operation 1-66 (Binh Hoa). After consolidation of multiple Aviation Units the 145th was finally absorbed into what was to be known as the 281st Assault Helicopter Company (10th Combat Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group (Combat), 1st Aviation Brigade), which was placed under operational control of the 5th Special Forces Group in direct support of Project Delta operations in I and II Corps. The 281st AHC provided dedicated helicopter support from December 1966 and their support ended in Dec 1969.

The 174th Aviation Company was activated at Fort Benning, Georgia on 1 October 1965. On 15 March 1966 the 174th Aviation Company departed Fort Benning, Georgia for Oakland, California, arriving in Qui Nhon, South Vietnam on 6 April 1966. On 7 April 1966 the unit established a base camp at Phu Tai Valley west of Qui Nhon and became the 174th Assault Helicopter Company and part of Task Force Oregon and later part of Airmobile Light. The 174th AHC was initially assigned to the 52nd Aviation Battalion. On 24 May 1966 the 174th AHC was placed under the operational control 14th Combat Aviation Battalion

155th Assault Helicopter Company (AHC), 10th Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group, Ban Me Thout, Vietnam, 7 Oct 1965 to 15 March 1971. Stagecoach - Lift Birds, Falcons - Gunships.

The 57th Assault Helicopter Company deployed to Vietnam in October 1967. The 57th were assigned to the 1st Aviation Bridge's 17th Combat Group, 52nd Combat Aviation Battalion's "Flying Dragons" and made their first base in Kontum in the Central Highlands of II Corps.

174th Assault Helicopter Company - Assigned to 14th Aviation Battalion - August 1968 to October 1971 under 23rd Infantry (Americal) division

On 7 October 1965, the 281st Assault Helicopter Company, Airmobile Light was activated at Fort Benning. By 9 June the following year, the newly formed company set up its headquarters inside the 5th SFG compound at Nha Trang Bay, Republic of Vietnam. The unit's mission was to provide air movement of troops, supplies and equipment under the direct supervision of the commanding officer, 5th SFG. The 281st became the first organized special operations helicopter unit in the U.S. Army. Army historians consider the 281st to be the legacy unit for today's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), abbreviated as 160th SOAR(A).

During the Vietnam War, one unit assigned to the 52nd Combat Aviation Battalion, 17th Combat Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade was the 119th Assault Helicopter Company. The company operated throughout the Central Highlands of Vietnam during the war, from arrival in September 1962 until deactivation in November 1970. Originally designated the 81st Transportation Company (equipped with twin-rotor CH-21 "Flying Banana" piston-engined helicopters), the company was reorganized in 1963 as the 119th Assault Helicopter Company (Airmobile), re-equipped with turbine-powered single-rotor UH-1A and B model Hueys. Also known as the 119th Aviation Company (Assault Helicopter), the company's area of operations included the entire Central Highlands.

The 57th Assault Helicopter Company deployed to Vietnam in October 1967. The 57th were assigned to the 1st Aviation Bridge's 17th Combat Group, 52nd Combat Aviation Battalion's "Flying Dragons" and made their first base in Kontum in the Central Highlands of II Corps.