Ride at a Gallop

Twenty-five years ago a new concept called "Air Assault" was introduced into combat in Vietnam by the 1st Calvary Division (Air-mobile). It freed the individual soldier from the tyranny of the terrain. In the 1920's the United States Army went from horseflesh to horsepower. In the 1960's it went from horsepower to helicopter power.

This concept was tested by the 11th Air Assault Division at Fort Benning, Georgia from February 1963 to June 1965. In the summer of 1965 the 11th Air Assault was in-activated and the 1st Calvary Division (Air-mobile) was activated and deployed to Vietnam.

The Author served as the first Executive Officer of the first aviation group in the United States Army (the 11th Air Assault Aviation Group at Fort Benning, Georgia); the first Battalion Commander of the first Chinook (CH-47) helicopter battalion (the 228th Assault Support Helicopter Battalion at Fort Benning, Georgia and in Vietnam); the first aviation rated G-4, logistical planner, in Vietnam; the Commanding Officer of the 1st Cavalry Division Support Command in Vietnam and later as Assistant Division Commander of the 1st Cavalry Division (TRICAP--Triple Capability) at Fort Hood, Texas.