Fire From The Sky

by Knott, Richard

• ISBN13: 9781591144472
• ISBN10: 1591144477
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-08-30
• Publisher: Naval Inst Pr

Summary

This is the dramatic history of the HAL-3 Seawolves, the U.S. Navy's first and only helicopter gunship squadron of the Vietnam War. Established "in country" to support the fast, pugnacious river patrol boats of the brown water navy, the squadron's mission quickly expanded to include rapid response air support to any friendly force in the Mekong Delta that needed immediate, no-holds-barred assistance. Operating in two-plane detachments from specifically configured amphibious ships, hastily constructed bases, and primitive campsites, the old, combat-worn Seawolves responded to distress calls within minutes. Flying in all kinds of weather, day or night, the gunships arrived at tree-top level with forward firing rockets, flex-guns blazing, and door gunners hanging outside or standing on the skids of the violently maneuvering helicopters. They also inserted SEALs deep into enemy territory, rescued combatants, and evacuated the wounded when Medevac helicopters were not available. Gleaned from historical documentation and the colorful recollections of over fifty Seawolf warriors, the author provides the first complete history of the most decorated navy squadron of the Vietnam War from concept to the moment the last squadron commander turned out the lights.

Table of Contents

List of Ranks and Ratings	ix
Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction: Scramble the Seawolves	1	(6)
The Mekong Delta	7	(3)
An Enemy Called Charlie	10	(6)
The First Seawolves	16	(8)
Gunships for the Navy	24	(14)
In the Thick of It	38	(9)
Navy Again	47	(7)
Ready or Not	54	(5)
All in One Sock	59	(7)
Up Close and Personal	66	(9)
The Whisperer	75	(7)
Taking on All Comers	82	(4)
Tet '68	86	(9)
Of Seabirds and Lawnmowers	95	(7)
Keeping the Faith	102	(8)
Zumwalt, Sealords, and Vietnamization	110	(6)
Seawolves Down	116	(10)
The Ca Mau Peninsula	126	(13)
Cambodia, Sea Float, and Solid Anchor	139	(12)
Bad Day at VC Lake	151	(10)
The War Grinds On	161	(14)
Door Gunners	175	(15)
Of SEALs and Seawolves	190	(9)
Winding Down? Who Says?	199	(8)
Fun at the Beach	207	(11)
Turning Out the Lights	218	(9)
Epilogue	227	(2)
In Memoriam	229	(2)
Notes	231	(14)
Glossary of Acronyms and Terms	245	(4)
Bibliography	249	(4)
Index	253