Air Cavalry

Airmobile helicopter formations widely used by the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War to locate and assault enemy ground forces and transport U.S. troops into battle. The Vietnam War saw the first large-scale use of helicopters in a combat role. At this time, U.S. helicopter forces were divided into separate assault helicopter and air cavalry formations. The units shared similar force organizations but performed slightly different types of missions. Assault helicopter companies were mainly responsible for attacking enemy ground targets, but they also conducted aerial resupply of troops, medical evacuation, and fire support for troops in contact with the enemy.

Air cavalry missions typically consisted of making visual reconnaissance of enemy positions with several scout helicopters and helicopter gunships, then airlifting a platoon of infantry assigned to the air cavalry unit into battle against the enemy. Other air cavalry helicopters provided fire support to the assaulting platoon, much as assault helicopter companies provided support to ground units during combat assault operations. Air cavalry could also bring larger combat units into the battle if needed. In addition to such missions, air cavalry teams performed general reconnaissance missions and aerial assessment of bomb damage.

A typical air cavalry squadron consisted of three air cavalry troops (ACTs) and a headquarters troop. An ACT contained a platoon of six to eight troops carrying helicopters called “slicks” and a platoon of eight or nine gunship helicopters known as Cobras. Each ACT also had a scout platoon of eight or nine light observation helicopters, commonly called “loaches.”

The first air cavalry unit to see duty in Vietnam was the First Air Cavalry Division, which arrived in Vietnam in 1965. A total of five air cavalry squadrons operated in Vietnam, the most famous of which was the First Squadron/Ninth Cavalry of the First Air Cavalry Division. In addition, approximately 20 ACTs served as part of various infantry, cavalry, and mechanized units. The last air cavalry troop departed Vietnam in early 1973.