Special Operations.Com

Filed by Don Bennett, Pilot
334th Armed Helicopter Company 

In August of 1966, the 334th Armed Helicopter Company, was tapped as aviation support for SIGMA. The 334th had brand new D-Model Hueys, and were trained with the SF folks at their home base. The company was unique, in that it had 3 platoons of gunships (24 aircraft), and only one platoon of slicks (8 Aircraft). Normal lift companies had it the reverse - 24 slicks and 8 guns. 

During my year in this company, I personally made 8 - 10 team insertions, and I don't remember but a couple that went down as planned, like for 4 or 5 days. More often, the team would request an extraction after only a couple hours, and they were always hot. Many times, I've hovered over very small holes in the triple canopy with the strings out, waiting - and waiting -for the team to run to the opening. I'd snag up two of them, and get the hell out, while another helicopter was hovering over the next hole -waiting. I've seen the gunships shoot their rockets and mini-guns at the smoke as it wafted thru the treetops, knowing that the team was still on the dead run ahead of the smoke.

My mid-air collision wiped out my helicopter, and I know of at least three other helicopters that were destroyed on SF LRRP missions, and shortly after my DEROS, our platoon, the Gangbusters, ceased to exist because they were out of aircraft.

Note: The 334th *Attack* Helicopter Company... Collectively known as "Sabres"... First platoon was Playboys...Second was Raiders...Third was Dragons...Maintenance was Gunrunners... 145th CAB staff was known as Old Warriors.. [Filed by Bill Russell]

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