Information contributed by Bill Rutledge
HA(L)3 Door Gunner 69-72
HELICOPTER
ATTACK (LIGHT) SQUADRON THREE
The Seawolves of HA(L) 3, an all volunteer Squadron do not
have a long history or tradition going back to
Korea
or WW II. HA(L) 3 was commissioned and decommissioned in
Vietnam
and not known by many except by those that served and by the Sailors, and
ground forces who owe their lives to their courage and devotion.
In early 1966 the Army, who had pioneered Helicopter Gunship tactics were
flying in support of Naval Operations from Navy Ships covering the initial Brown
Water Riverine Forces. It was soon discovered that there were difficulties, for
the Army crews did not have the needed experience to support the missions. It
was felt that Naval Aviators and Enlisted Door Gunners trained in Gunship
operations would more readily adapt to the rigors of the mission requirements,
in that the Riverine Forces and Navy SEALS operated around the clock and in all
weather conditions. The Army Gunships were not equipped for nor their Pilots
trained for all weather conditions and would not accept missions at night or
during marginal weather conditions which were a necessity. A dedicated Navy Air
unit was needed to cover the River operations; therefore the Seawolves were
established, first from 4 detachments from Helicopter Combat Support Squadron
One in July 1966. With one month training flying with the Army, the Navy Pilots
and Enlisted Gunners from HC1 relieved the Army and assumed the mission duties
and opened a new chapter in Naval Aviation.
Using cast off, underpowered Army UH1Bs reconfigured with night flying
capabilities, HC1 distinguished themselves in combat, flying attack missions in
many large battles. In April 1967 HA(L) 3 was commissioned from the four HC1
detachments which became HA(L)3 Detachments 1-4 . For better coverage as more
River units and SEAL Teams were added the Seawolves evolved into nine
detachments flying missions in III and IIII Corps and
Cambodia
. The Seawolves mission expanded to cover not only Riverine Forces, but also
Marines, Army and all other friendly forces in contact with the VC/NVA.
Each detachment consisted of Two UH1B Gunships, except Det 2 staging from
Nha Be which at times had four Gunships and double crews. The other eight dets
had 8 Pilots and 8 Gunners, two each per bird flying alternate days to provide
24 hr coverage unless short of crewmen then they flew every day. The Gunships
were heavily armed (an understatement) at first configured with two external
seven shot rocket pods and 4 M60 Machine Guns fired by the Pilots. The Door
Gunner fired a stripped down free M60 MG fired in an unusual way resting on the
arm. Many Gunners experimented with twin M60, twin.30 Cal MG, automatic grenade
launchers, and other weapons that could be used to decimate the enemy. Also
carried aboard were personal weapons, rifles, pistols and various grenades,
marking smokes and flares. Later the 4 external M60 MG were replaced by two 6
barreled Miniguns firing 4000 rounds per minute. Reconfigured several more times
the Gunners ended up with a .50 Cal on the right door of the lead bird and a
right door mounted Minigun on the trail with Free M Sixties on the deck of the
Gunship as back ups.
The Squadron had two homeguard bases, with the best staff and maintenance
in the world, first at Vung Tau, and as the Sqd grew and moved South, Homeguard
was moved to Binh Thuy near Can Tho to be central to the 9 detachments which
forwardly staged to be near enemy strongholds or areas of heavy activity. Only
Det 2 at Nha Be never moved, the other Dets were Nomads of the Delta, Staging
from small Naval Tactical Support Bases, with a contingent of Riverine Forces,
Navy SEALs, outside of isolated Outposts, Special Forces Camps, canal banks,
LSTs (Landing Ship Tanks) and YRBMs anchored in the rivers or just off the coast
for quick strike capability.
Type missions flown were tree top, low level patrols to search out and
destroy enemy troops, supplies and staging areas. Rocket and MG attacks putting
in fire on the enemy to within a few feet of friendly forces, Hot Medivacs of
WIA/KIA, Insertion/extractions of SEALs and other Spec Ops forces, Covert
missions in Vietnam and Cambodia, Body Snatches(kidnapping) to get intelligence.
Most missions flown were at night, in inclement weather and under heavy enemy
fire at 90 knots. For the most part the Army tactics and operating procedure
manuals were tossed as in they did not fit in our ever changing situations and
specialized missions.
HA(L) 3 also had UH1L support Helos received in late 1969. They were
nicknamed Sealords and played an active role in supporting the Seawolves in
their combat missions. Manned by a Pilot, Copilot and an Enlisted Crew Chief
they flew supply missions, Special Ops with the SEALS, Medivac duty and assorted
other missions under enemy fire. They could be configured for combat and let the
Squadron fly more missions, not having to call on the Army Slicks for they had
other missions of their own to cover.
HELICOPTER ATTACK (LIGHT) SQUADRON THREE was decommissioned in March 1972
at Binh Thuy, RVN after flying over 120,000 Combat Missions and has the
Distinction of being the only such designated Navy Squadron to every fly in
combat and is the most decorated Navy Squadron in History. The Seawolves lost 44
Pilots and Gunners Killed in Action and had over 200 Wounded in Action.
Decorations: Awarded 6 Presidential Unit
Citations for (Extraordinary Heroism). 6 Navy Unit Citations. Two Detachments
also received the Meritorious Unit Citation. The Squadron also
received the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry( MUC) Palm. The Vietnam
Civil Action (Honor) with Palm, and several of the Detachments received
the Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation
HA(L)-3
Mission Story
of the rescue of a little girl and her mother. All missions do not have a
happy ending.
HA(L)-3
Mission A
veteran of over "850" Combat Missions, Mike Dobson tells us of his
experiences while serving with HA(L) - 3. Take a few minutes to read this
riveting account.
HA(L)-3
Mission
Det#3 - Battle at Ha Tien - Da Dung Mountain Area - 23 March 1969
HA(L)-3
Mission
Det#3 - Battle at Moc Hoa - At the Cambodia Border - 28 April 1969
HA(L)
- 3 Det #7
- Doug Taylor's Det # 7 Homepage. Navy helicopter detachment based
at Dong Tam Vietnam.
