https://peertube.dngr.us/videos/watch/b2102f92-d271-4193-942b-71d242733f61 Produced by the Army Pictorial Center as part of The Big Picture TV show, this 1969 episode “The First Cavalry Division (Airmobile)” is “the story of how air mobility is helping the First Air Cavalry, the ‘First Team,’ win the battle for freedom in Southeast Asia.” By 1965, helicopters are used for more than just transport; they are a crucial element of combat (01:01). Helicopters allow for fast and powerful mobilization, so it is only natural that the First Cavalry Division, renamed the First Cavalry Division Airmobile, is the is the first to use them in combat. Airmobile combat was developed and tested in Fort Benning Georgia and tried out by the experimental organization 11th Air Assault Division, prior to activation of First Cavalry 1 July 1965. The First Cavalry is deployed to Vietnam and sets up base set up at An Khe (03:07), also known as Camp Radcliff. The base is built around helipads (03:15), encircled by a clear-cut section, and reinforced with howitzer batteries (03:27) and machine gunners (03:37). For additional security, another force is posted on top of a mountain (03:59) overlooking the base. Other fixed-wing craft operate out of An Khe (04:09). The First Cavalry patrol a large range of territory in South Vietnam (04:53) featuring highlands and mountains. The first air assaults are launched in September and October of 1965, proving the usefulness of helicopters in combat. A CH-47 Chinook (05:36) transports men and equipment. Quick-firing howitzers (05:37) and aerial rocket artillery (05:44) give the Division a significant advantage in firepower over the North Vietnamese Army (NVA). Air superiority allows U.S. forces to retrieve damaged equipment—a CH-54 Tarhe hauls a cargo plane (06:23) off for repairs. Logistics are much more efficient with airmobile operations: troops are supplied in the field and wounded are evacuated (06:49) in minimal time. The first major engagement is the Pleiku campaign in Pleiku province (07:19). The NVA prepares for a major offensive with a diversionary attack at Plei Me, leading to an ambush of South Vietnamese soldiers (08:14). The South Vietnamese fight back and are assisted by the First Cavalry at LZ Field Goal with gun batteries brought in by helicopters (09:14). General William C. Westmoreland (09:32) changes the First Cavalry’s limited role, sending the division out to find and attack NVA forces (10:05). Infantry are airdropped into a number of landing zones to search for the enemy, and on 1 November 1965, they attack an NVA outpost on Ia Tae river (10:45). Helicopter troop carriers bring in fresh troops as artillery and air force tactical strikes punish the NVA 33rd Regiment. A First Cavalry battalion flies into LZ X-Ray in Ia Drang (12:00) to engage NVA troops reinforced by NVA 66th regiment. Sky troopers continue fighting (12:43). Artillery is flown in and helicopters fire aerial rockets while the wounded and killed are evacuated (13:38). NVA troops are hit by B-52 raids (13:53) as they withdraw. X-Ray troops marched out to LZ Columbus and LZ Albany. The Albany-bound troops run into an NVA column, but the First Cavalry is victorious: NVA leaves behind almost 2,000 dead and enemy prisoners and stores of ammo and weapons (15:19). The Pleiku Campaign, also called the Battle of Ia Drang Valley, is over. Helicopters return from the Pleiku Campaign (15:57), and the Division and supporting units receive the Presidential Unit Citation (16:08). In 1966, the First Cavalry turns north to Bong Son. Air Force bombers, artillery, and gunships prep the area for infantry assault (17:19). Troops hike through difficult terrain looking for Vietcong (17:36). The First enters a cleared village (18:08) to question suspects. The First continues to clear NVA-held territory while also feeding (18:41) and providing medical attention to South Vietnamese, and accepting the surrender of NVA soldiers (19:01). Each operation has lessons: the M102 105mm howitzer (19:40) is built much lighter for more efficient transport; collapsible fuel containers replace metal containers to help with weight capacities (20:01). Fresh troops arrive (20:34) and operations. 8-inch howitzers reinforce air assaults (21:38). Armored forces join when the terrain allows (22:43). The First helps relieve besieged Marines in Khe Sanh (24:22). NVA moves troops and supplies into Laos via the Ho Chi Minh Trail, but the First Cavalry, in coordination with Paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division, attack and force the NVA to abandon the valley, leading to the capture of a storehouse of weaponry (26:51). This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwOkArVLBg Mirrored from Periscope Film (https://www.youtube.com/@PeriscopeFilm) Sat, 13 Jun 2026 13:25:37 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://peertube.dngr.us https://peertube.dngr.us/lazy-static/avatars/41a6fee9-7f57-42d0-a5fc-5db4f1af2e31.png https://peertube.dngr.us/videos/watch/b2102f92-d271-4193-942b-71d242733f61 All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://peertube.dngr.us/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.