CONFIDENTIAL

                    (Operation WOLFE MOUNTAIN) (U)

7.    (C)   SUPPORTING FORCES:     

        a.  Army Aviation: Throughout the duration of the operation extensive use was made of the brigade’s organic Uh1H and OH58 helicopters, and Uh1H, AH1G and CH47 helicopters requested through the Brigade Aviation Section and provided by the 101^st Abn Div (Ambl). The total number of helicopters utilized during the period 220900H July 1970 to 300001H January 1971 follows by type of aircraft:

          (1)   UH1H:  647

          (2)   AH1G:  296

          (3)   OH58:  251

          (4)   CH47:       1

There was a combined total of 1195 aircraft. The UH1H helicopter proved to be the workhorse of this battalion and was utilized on a daily basis in the resupply, coordination, and small element insertion/extraction role, primarily due to the type terrain 1-11 Infantry was operating in and lack of roads or inaccessibility thereof. In addition, a total of forty-eight major unit moves were conducted, for a total of 1152 sorties, utilizing the aforementioned helicopter. The AH1G was used to provide air cover during these movements, as well as insert/extract missions, and close fire support for maneuver elements in contact with the enemy. The primary reconnaissance and command vehicle throughout the time frame has been the OH58. This helicopter was requested and used for 1 or 2 hours daily during this operation. Due to the highly unfavorable weather and terrain in which the majority of this battalion operated in, the CH47 was used on only one mission, the transport of troops on 21 December 1970 for the Bob Hope Show, for which a total of one (1) sortie was flown. Emergency medical evacuations were flown by the 237^th Aero-Ambulance Company, attached to the Brigade. Numerous evacuations of a non-emergency category were accomplished by the use of the operations aircraft. During Phase III of this operation, both the AH1G and medevac helicopters were utilized in demonstrations for classes conducted to familiarize the troops of this battalion with their operation and use. A high degree of cooperation by supporting elements of Army Aviation aided greatly in the accomplishment of this unit’s assigned missions.

        b. Tactical Air Support:  The battalion received a total of three (3) tactical air strikes during this operation. All three were controlled by airborne FAC’s and all were in support of D/1-11 contact on 23 August 1970. There were no preplanned air strikes within any of the battalion’s various AO’s due to the low level of enemy activity and the high civilian population density.

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