C O N F I D E N T I A L

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

21st Aviation Company (Utility Airplane)

“Black Aces”

APO SF 96374

31 October 1970

SUBJECT: Operational Report-Lessons Learned from the 21st Aviation Company (UA) for the Quarter Ending 31 October 1970, RCS CSFOR-65 (R2) (U)

Commanding Officer

212th Combat Aviation Battalion

ATTN: AVBACF-BC

APO SF 96349

1. (c) Operations: Signficant Activities.

a. There were no changes or additions to the missions of the 21st Avn Co.

b. Organizational structure and section locations are listed in Inclosure 1.

c. Personnel changes of command and principal staff positions within the company for the reporting period are listed in Inclosure 2.

d. The 21st Avn Co’s authorized and present for duty strength as of 31 Oct 70 is listed in Inclosure 3.

e. The type aircraft, number authorized and on hand are listed in Inclosure 4.

f. The results of the quarter’s operations by the company in missions flown, enemy KIA, sampans and structures destroyed, and aircraft lost or damaged are listed in Inclosure 5.

g. During this reporting period the 21st Avn Co engaged in operations against the enemy on 92 consective days, flying a total of 5511 hours.

h. There were 2033 significant VR sightings during this quarter.

C O N F I D E N T I A L

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C O N F I D E N T I A L

i. Events of Historical Achievement.

(1) A Black Ace on 31 August operating east of Chu Lai spotted and engaged with artillery an NVA/VC trail and bunker complex. One secondary fire and numerous secondary explosions occurred.

(2) A Black Ace on 24 August operating east of Old Hau Duc spotted a fortified base camp. Airstrikes and artillery resulted in heavy damage and numerous secondary explosions.

(3) A Black Ace on 19 August operating south of Hoi An spotted and engaged an NVA/VC squad. An airstrike resulted in 6 KIA.

(4) A Black Ace on 11 August operating east of LZ Gator spotted an NVA/VC fortified complex. Artillery fire missions resulted in 6 structures destroyed, 5 bunkers desroyed, 4 meters of trench destroyed, and one foot bridge destroyed.

(5) A Black Ace operating east of LZ Dottie fired artillery on a reported VC complex. The mission resulted in one secondary fire and two secondary explosions.

(6) A Black Ace on 8 August operating east of LZ Dottie spotted 11 VC in the open. An artillery fire mission resulted in 8 KBA and 1 secondary explosion.

(7) A Black Ace on 11 September operating north of Ba To spotted and engaged an NVA/VC tunnel and bunker complex. Artillery destroyed 2 structures, damaged 2 structures, and one secondary explosion occurred.

(8) A Black Ace on 8 September operating south of Old Hau Duc spotted and engaged an NVA/VC base camp. With USAF support, 13 hootches were destroyed and one secondary explosion occurred.

(9) Numerous Black Aces operating east of Dak Peck confirmed an extensive NVA base complex. Pre-planned Airstrikes on 4 September resulted in 40 structures destroyed.

(10) A Black Ace on 3 September operating west of Ha Than spotted and engaged an NVA/VC base area. Six structures were destroyed and 10 damaged by two airstrikes.

(11) A Black Ace on 24 October operating west of LZ Bronco spotted 2 NVA/VC avoiding aircraft. An artillery fire mission resulted in one secondary explosion.

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C O N F I D E N T I A L

(12) A Black Ace on 23 October operating west of LZ Dragon spotted and destroyed 7 large NVA/VC bunkers with USAF support.

(13) A Black Ace on 20 October operating west of Hill 411 spotted an active NVA/VC position. An artillery fire mission resulted in one secondary explosion.

(14) A Black Ace on 15 October operating west of Tra Bong spotted and destroyed an NVA/VC munisions storage complex. Numerous secondary explosions were observed.

(15) A Black Ace on 10 October operating east of LZ Gator spotted and destroyed an NVA/VC fortified complex with USAF support. One secondary explosion was observed.

(16) A Black Ace on 7 October operating south of Old Hau Duc spotted and destroyed an NVA base camp. Seven NVA were killed by the artillery.

C O N F I D E N T I A L

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