![]() ![]() The Seawolves would first major action while still part of a detachment of HC-1. On April 1, 1967, HA(L)-3 was officially commissioned in South Vietnam under the command of LCDR Joseph B. From the response, eighty Aviators were chosen to be the first "Seawolves" and transferred to Vietnam. In 1966, the Navy sent a message fleet-wide, asking for volunteer Naval Aviators to man HA(L)-3. In April 1967, HC-1 was divided into four separate units, Helicopter Combat Support Squadron THREE (Navy Vertical Replenishment), and Helicopter Combat Support Squadron FIVE (LAMPS), and Helicopter Combat Support Squadron SEVEN (Navy Combat Search and Rescue), and Helicopter Attack Squadron (Light) THREE (HAL-(3)), nicknamed the Seawolves. This created a need for a specific Squadron in support of the mission requirements. In response, the Navy began to widen the mission requirements. Providing a quick reaction, close air-support (CAS) role for units of the Navy's Special Warfare Groups and Navy Mobile Riverine Forces (also known as the Brown-water Navy), the effectiveness of the helicopter attack mission was quickly realized. ![]() HC-1, the “Fleet Angels”, operated two-plane detachments of surplus Army UH-1B gunships, staged from amphibious vessels. Starting with Helicopter Combat Support Squadron ONE (HC-1), detachments of helicopter gunships supported the Navy effort in the Mekong Delta region of South Vietnam. In 1966, Naval Special Warfare (NSW) rotary support was originated as part of the response to the ongoing war in South Vietnam. The Birth of the HA(L)-3 and the Seawolves This, coupled with Army’s pilots and aircrews lack of training in ship board operations, identified a need for a dedicated, United States Navy, helicopter gunship program in Vietnam. Although the joint effort was a success, it was felt that Naval Aviators and Aircrewman would be more suitable for the mission, especially since the mission would require the pilots and crews to operate off the deck of ships in all weather conditions, day and night. Operating off a “Mothership”, the USS Belle Grove (LSD-2), the Army and Navy worked together on Operation Jackstay. ![]() ![]() Initially, the Brown-water Navy was supported by elements of the 145th Army Combat Aviation Battalion who had greater experience in helicopter gunship operations and tactics. It was also determined that key to the survival of the boats operating in the rivers would be close air support. GUNSHIP III US NAVY FULLBased on the “ Brown-water” Navy’s early success, a commitment was made to continue river operations on a full scale basis in the Mekong Delta. In the same year, the Navy began limited river operations in the Mekong Delta to disrupting the Viet Cong's lines of communications, locating supply caches, and eliminating tax collecting stations. In 1965, the US Navy began joint operations off the coast southern coast of South Vietnam in support of the growing war. As an offensive weapon for ground-based targets, the helicopter was relatively ignored in favor of traditional, fixed-wing aircraft. As an offensive weapon, the Navy developed the helicopter as an anti-submarine warfare aircraft, developing the capability to carry and launch torpedoes. Helicopters within the United States Navy were used for Search and Rescue (SAR), Vertical replenishment (VERTREP), Marine amphibious envelopment, and, experimentally, as mine sweepers. Prior to the Vietnam War, the helicopter was a valued tool within the United States Army for reconnaissance, Search and Rescue (SAR), and medical evacuation of wounded (MEDEVAC). 2 The Birth of the HA(L)-3 and the Seawolvesīeginnings of the Navy helicopter gunship.1 Beginnings of the Navy helicopter gunship. ![]()
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