In this theatre, it was commonly operated in teams with other rotorcraft, such as the Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter, using so-called "hunter-killer" tactics to flush out and eliminate hostile ground targets; the OH-6 would act as bait to draw enemy fire and mark targets for other platforms such as the AH-1 to attack. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. During 1960, the United States Army issued Technical Specification 153 for a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) capable of fulfilling various roles on the battlefield, including personnel transport, escort, casualty evacuation, observation, and attack missions. Operation Honey Badger was canceled after the hostages were released on 20 January 1981, and for a short while, it looked as if the task force would be disbanded and the personnel returned to their former units. Despite its strong offensive abilities, the SH-2 Seasprite was mostly used for rescuing downed friendly aircrews instead of direct combat. [16], Early on in the OH-6's career, the type demonstrated its performance in a particularly prominent manner via the setting of 23 individual world records for helicopters during 1966 in the categories of speed, endurance and time to climb. 2 M75 40-mm grenade launchers Kawasaki Heavy Industries produced 387 OH-6D Cayuses under license in Japan. At peak production, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) The helicopter was hit in the Cockpit Its effectiveness in battle allowed it to quickly replace the Bell H-13 Siouxs being operated in the country. Can include a combination of the following across two fuselage wingstubs (though some weapons operated from cabin doors): (Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above), Hardpoint Mountings: 2 (if wingstub equipped). During 1966, the OH-6 entered service with the U.S. Army, it promptly arrived into active combat in the Vietnam War. It can cruise at speeds of 150 mph. During the course of the competition, the Bell submission, the YOH-4, was eliminated as being underpowered (it was powered by the 250shp (186kW) T63-A-5). Initially fielded in Vietnam in early 1968, the Hughes OH-6A was used for command and control, observation, target acquisition, and reconnaissance. Two (2) Crew: one Pilot, one Observer/Doorgunner. The CH-34 Choctaw was developed by Sikorsky Aircraft for transport purposes to carry personnel and deliver supplies. Armament Table of Contents 1. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a single-engine light helicopter that was designed and produced by the American aerospace company Hughes Helicopters. Scout pilots were a different breed of cat, says Cobra pilot Jim Kane, who likens his former colleagues to the airborne equivalent of the Tunnel Rats, soldiers who crawled head-first into Viet Cong-built tunnels without any idea what awaited them there. 2 M134 7.62-mm 6x barrel, Gatling type twin MG pods [8][9], A total of 387 OH-6/Hughes 369s were produced under license in Japan by the Japanese aerospace company Kawasaki Heavy Industries. One time we ran into hundreds of enemy troops. While barely any American helicopters served in World War II and few flew in Korea, Vietnam was a proving ground for many airframes everything from the venerable Huey to Chinooks sporting huge guns. It never flew again. In contrast, of the nearly 1,100 Cobras delivered to the Army, 300 were lost. For this, a small rotorcraft capable of landing in restrictive locations and easily transportable via US Air Force transport aircraft was necessary. 2 .50 cal MG pods We were combat trackers, says Mills. MD-500E/MD-500MG/Defender II: Had a more elongated nose for streamlining, and an optional 4x blade tail rotor for reduced acoustic signatures. But the Vietnam War was unlike any previous American conflict; there were few real definable frontlines, and combatants needed to know what was happening all around them, all the time. Date: 03/25/1970 Observation Helicopters Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (Loach) The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a light helicopter with a single engine and a four-bladed main rotor. (7.62MM) Reportedly, 964 out of the 1,422 OH-6As produced for the US Army were destroyed in the Vietnam theatre, the majority of these losses being a result of hostile action, typically ground fire. The 'Loach' was one of the riskiest helicopter assignments in Vietnam Radiomen in the Vietnam War faced a 5-second life expectancy 5 cringeworthy military slang terms (that we should actually retire) From nursing to newspapers, these were the women of Vietnam The guidance systems on newer attack helicoptersoften working with or even controlling the cameras of reconnaissance droneshave relegated to history the hunter role in the hunter-killer missions. Moses, a 19-year-old draftee, arrived in Vietnam in July 1970 for the first of two year-long tours, and later worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs as a therapist and administrator. Hughes OH-6 Cayuse - Wikipedia Following a competitive fly-off and a sealed bidding process, Hughes lost the contract to Bell, resulting in the competing Bell OH-58 Kiowa being produced. President As we navigate rapidly evolving military culture and Like any deployed troops, Russian soldiers make calls Sign up for our newsletter and receive the mighty updates! In some areas, Purple Teamsone Loach and two Cobraswere also common, as were other variations.) The Bell AH-1J was also used for various subsequent assaults and military operations conducted by the US Marine Corps. How a Vietnam War Helicopter Pilot Captured a POW With His Civil War ). 2 M260 2.75-in Hydra 70 rocket pods (7 or 12 each) purchase. When the 1980 hostage situation of Operation Eagle Claw was deemed a disaster, the US military realized there was a lack of aircraft and personnel trained for such special operations. In 1961, twelve companies submitted proposals to meet U.S.Army requirements for a four-seat turbine-powered light observation helicopter (LOH). The helicopter Continued Flight. The Light Observation Helicopter ( LOH) program was a United States Army program to evaluate, develop and field a light scout helicopter to replace the Army's aging Bell OH-13 Sioux. From the rear cockpit, the pilot fired rockets from launchers fixed to the stub wings on either side; the copilot in the front operated a chin turret that held a minigun and grenade launcher. [2] Originally designated as the YHO-6A according to the Army's designation system, the aircraft was redesignated as the YOH-6A in 1962 when the Department of Defense created a joint designation system for all aircraft. The Army dictated that after 300 hours of flight time, each Loach go through a thorough inspection, but in practice such inspections were rare: Few Loaches survived to reach that mark. You were right in the enemys face with a helicopter and had to know what you were doing, recalls warrant officer Clyde Romero of his 1,100 hours flying scout missions over South Vietnam in 1971. In January 1968 PFC Richard Toops went on to Infantry OCS at Ft. Benning, Ga. graduating in September 1968. On a few occasions, the OH-23 was also used for medical evacuation purposes, but this was rarely the case. Total flight hours at this point: 00000496 Stepping away from her academic career, Samantha previously worked as a Heritage Researcher and now writes content for multiple sites covering an array of historical topics. 29 of the best politically incorrect Vietnam War slang terms The Bell H-13 Sioux were used for multiple roles, ranging from transporting troops, conducting medical evacuations, and performing reconnaissance and observational activities. Fortunate son intensifies : r/memes - reddit In the event of a crash the tailboom and engine separate from the egg-like . Its cockpit teems with electronics and sensors, and its stub wings are heavy with heat-seeking Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, laser-guided Hellfires, rockets (like those used in Vietnam), and even fuel-filled drop tanks. The helicopter was designed around their earlier model 269/300 making use of monocoque steel tube construction techniques, allowing a strong and compact fuselage. The Cayuse was organic to division, brigade, and battalion size units. | The following text is exclusive to this site. In one particular clandestine incident in 1972, known as the Vinh wiretap, a pair of OH-6As were heavily modified and used by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) via Air America was used to infiltrate Vietnamese high level communications, providing valuable intelligence. They were operated by a number of military organizations, including the Japanese Army, Navy and Coast Guard. OA-6A 'Loach' Scout platoon. Find Us on Facebook, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC). Adopted after. Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (Loach) - Military Factory Observation Helicopters 4. 2 MK19 40-mm grenade launcher The CH-53 Tarhe was another heavy-lift helicopter designed to transport and recover downed aircraft. The prototype first flew in early 1963, and production began two years later. The pilots dubbed the new helicopter Loach, a word created by pronunciation of the acronym of the program that spawned the aircraft, LOH (light observation helicopter). 13456, "History of Rotorcraft World Records, List of records established by the 'YOH-6A'. They were usually joined by Cobra gunships either in hunter-killer teams where the Loach hunted and the Cobra killed or in air mobile cavalry units where both airframes supported cavalry and infantrymen on the ground. A saying among Army aviators was, If you have to crash, do it in a Loach.. Army headquarters developed doctrine by building on what worked in the field, rather than the other way around, and each unit in-country did things slightly differently. The AH-1J SeaCobra was used later in the later stages of the Vietnam war. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. In photo #2 you can see the nice graphics. Krausz was ordered to Vietnam in April 1971, and today teaches Army students how to fly the Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota, a twin-engine trainer. History | The Vietnam War saw the extensive use of helicopters, though were mostly by the United States military. The Cayuse . The type was born from the US Army Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program (which provided its "Loach" nickname) and ultimately proved an excellent helicopter system seeing only limited service in the inventories of several American allies worldwide. Pilots called this helicopter as the Loach. The Sea Knight is a medium left-tandem rotor helicopter used for transport. A little gory but thats how close we were. As the Loach flew among the trees, the rear-seat pilot in the Snake circling above kept a close eye on the little scout and the front-seat gunner jotted down whatever the Loach observers radioed. He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to him then and what it means to him now. Setting 23 world records for speed, distance, and altitude, the Hughes Tool Company OH-6 entered service in September of 1966. On the night of 5-6 December 1972, the remaining helicopter deployed a wiretap near Vinh, Vietnam; useful information provided from this wiretap was acted on by the United States on several occasions, such as during the Linebacker II campaign and Paris Peace Talks. While Hiller did not participate in the rebidding, Bell opted to, submitting their redesigned Model 206. They were famous for being shot down or crashing in combat. The 'Loach' was one of the riskiest helicopter assignments in Vietnam However, the choppers frame ensured the crewmen within remained safe. Instead of disbanding Task Force 158, the military opted to turn it into the 160th Aviation Battalion. MD-500MD/Scout and TOW Defender: Improved military version of the model 500 with 5 main rotor blades, 375-shp Allison 250-C20B turboshaft engine, and T-tail. [19][20][21], In December 1967, the first OH-6As arrived in Vietnam. USNTPS plans to retain the aircraft indefinitely and continue to improve the safety, reliability, and usefulness of the aircraft in the test pilot training role. Samantha Franco is a Freelance Content Writer who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Guelph, and her Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Western Ontario. To counter the US, the Vietnamese employed their helicopter fleets of mostly Soviet-made aircraft. Due to its designation LOH (Light Observation Helicopter), pilots and crew nicknamed this helicopter LOACH. Graphics are very well done, the whole model is very well done. The Hughes OH-6A Cayuse, was designed for use as a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) nicknamed LOACH, military scout during the Vietnam war to meet the U.S. Armys need for an extremely maneuverable observation helicopter. While successful in this respect, the Loach helicopter also had a reputation for being easily gunned down. Hughes bid $56,550 per airframe, while Bell bid $54,200. [27], During the early 1970s, Soviet-supplied SA-7 Grail shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles emerged amongst North Vietnamese troops; one hit could down a Loach, potentially dealing fatal damage before its crew were aware that they were under fire. We operated from fixed bases that were islands, if you will, of allied control, says Hugh Mills, who flew both Loaches and Cobras in Vietnam from 1968 to 1972, and went on to fly helicopters for the Kansas City Police Department. Unlike previous aircraft, the Tarhe was extremely successful during the Vietnam War. Unit: DIR SUP / TRAN The OH-6 was largely removed from active U.S. Army service in favor of the Kiowa, but modified versions of the helicopter flew with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment as the MH-6C Little Bird as late as 2008. Hughes, without informing Real, raised the bid by $3,000, and thus lost the contract to Bell. Loaches, usually with a pilot and observer and sometimes a door gunner aboard, flew as little as 10 feet above the treetops at between about 45 and 60 mph, scouting for signs of the enemy. I was used to getting up close and personal with the enemy.. Four troop-carrying Hueys (called a Blue Team) often sat idle somewhere nearby, ready to insert troops if the Pink Team discovered an interesting targetor were shot down and needed rescuing. But the Hueys proved too slow to do the job properly, and the need to replace both scouts and protectors was immediately evident. They chose the OH-6A scout helicopter to fill that role, and it became known as the Little Bird compared to the other aircraft in the task force, the MH-60 and the MH-47. The OH-6A Cayuse was quite effective when teamed with the AH-1G Cobra attack helicopter as part of what were known as Pink Teams. On 27 February 1963, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight. [12] Accordingly, during 1968, Hughes submitted a bid to build a further 2,700 airframes. Robert Davis Travel Management Consultant, 2023 Executive Flyers +1 (512) 241-0795. During the Vietnam War, it was mostly deployed for aerial combat and for conducting rescue operations in areas close to US Air bases. By Richard Toops. This helicopter was UNK This was a Combat incident. Front left side view of the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse helicopter; color, Right side view of the Hughes OH-6 Loach in flight; color. It was the same for Jim. Some crews argued that the Kiowa was nowhere near as nimble as the OH-6, however, the transition proceeded while scouting doctrine was changed to emphasis operations from greater distances. contact us here and we will remove the Kanes commanding officer flew his command-and-control Huey to the ravine where Kane and Casher huddled. Cobras generally attacked with rockets, preferred for long-range accuracy, switching to the less-accurate chin-mounted machine gun and grenade launcher only if they were far enough away from friendly troops or if the rocketsAH-1s could carry as many as 76 rocketsran out. The type was born from the US Army Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program (which provided its "Loach" nickname) and ultimately proved an excellent helicopter system seeing only limited service in the inventories of several American allies worldwide. The AH/MH Little Birds were lifted by a single C-5 Galaxy, and two C-130 Hercules, along with all support kits for the battalion. A.J. While in Target Area this helicopter was Attacking at 0060 feet and 010 knots. Served in Vietnam War during 1968 through 1970. Light Observation Helicopter - Wikipedia Vietnam OH-6A "Cayuse" Helicopter The OH-6A made its first flight in 1963. However, the U.S. Army subsequently chose to include Hughes's Model 369 for further consideration as well. Moore served as an Army OH-6A Loach scout in IV Corps, South Vietnam, 1968-1969: Fort Apache, Vihn Long Province. We thought they were ARVNs [Army of the Republic of Vietnam] until they started running. What was a loach helicopter? - Quora Systems damaged were: FUEL SYS During the Vietnam War, it was exclusively used by North Vietnam for reconnaissance and VIP transport. Home | I was flying wing and just dropped into the AO [Area of Operations]. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Each time we went out, we got shot at. Worthy, the OH-6 Loach and two other air scout helicopter pilots, all decorated, were in Topeka on Saturday night for an event at Forbes Field Airport designed to increase interest and. The small-arms protection aircrewmen armor that was introduced in 1966 was a vest with pockets containing composite laminated plates commonly called chicken plates. Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: With US Army evaluations of each prototype ongoing, the underpowered Bell offering was formally dropped from contention and the US Army decision favored the Hughes design over the Fairchild-Hiller. The Sikorsky S-61R is a twin-engine transport and search helicopter. There was one day of initial training, says Bob Moses, who was first trained as a tank crewman and then as infantry before a sudden transition to helicopter door gunner. Queer John was famous not just for crashing, but for keeping the crew safe while it did so. The Model 369 had a distinctive teardrop-shaped fuselage that had strong crashworthiness properties and provided excellent external visibility. The unrefueled range of the AH-6 is 250 nautical miles. After around 10 hours at the controls of a Loach, the pilots were deemed worthy of flying in combat. They could also use grenades and on occasion even homebuilt explosives; more aggressive units mounted forward-firing miniguns. Its like a street cop going into a bad neighborhood. They were employed in hunter-killer tactics, wherein they flew low over the jungle as bait to draw enemy fire. Rattler One-Seven puts you in the helicopter seat, to see the war in Vietnam through the eyes of an inexperienced pilot as he transforms himself into a seasoned combat veteran. Terms and Conditions, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC) Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: Troop B, 1st squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug '68 - Oct '70. External load capacity was approximately 1,200 Lbs (550 kg), and transport capability 2 or 3 troops or cargo internally. article/image or apply full credit information. Stanley Hiller complained to the U.S. Army that Hughes had used unethical procedures; therefore, the Army opened the contract for rebidding by all parties. An Army article written after Johns seventh crash credited it with surviving 61 hits from enemy fire and seven crashes without losing a single crew member. The Cobra is a single-engine attack helicopter produced by Bell Helicopter as a primary attack helicopter in the Vietnam War for aerial assaults or as air cavalry. The helicopter was inducted as the OH-6 "Cayuse" and would eventually take on the in-the-field nickname of "Loach" in reference to its "LOH" origins. [8][9] It was reported that Howard Hughes had directed his company to submit a bid at a price beneath the actual production cost of the helicopter in order to secure this order. Helicopter took 2 hits from: Book A Flight | The Raven was used as a scouting helicopter during the early phases of the war, before it was eventually replaced by the Cayuse in early 1986. The mission training consisted of loading onto C-130 Hercules transport aircraft which would then transport them to forward staging areas over routes as long as 1,000 nautical miles (1,900km). Cookie Policy When the Loach debuted in 1966, it broke records for speed, endurance, and rate of climb, all important attributes for a scout helicopter. OH-6A Cayuse ('Loach') The OH-6A "Cayuse" is a small tactical helicopter flown by units of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment [SOAR]. One, nicknamed Queer John, hit the dirt at least seven times. Loach and Cobra crews lived together, and schedulers generally paired the teams with the partners they requested, though given the high turnover rate, that wasnt always possible. Optional and variable (attack and special forces versions only). Accordingly, this tactic had resulted in substantial losses being incurred on the contract with the U.S. Army; the company had allegedly anticipated that an extended production cycle would eventually make the rotorcraft financially viable. Lt. Col. The OH-6A "Cayuse" is a small tactical helicopter flown by units of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment [SOAR]. Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. Following the lead, we got peppered with rounds. The Loach had a bad vibration, but he made it about half a mile before he had to land. The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a tandem rotor chopper that was developed by Vetrol and built by Boeing Vertol. It was mostly used as a transport chopper, but it could also deliver supplies to troops. Unknown as to mission impact. The killer role persists. Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. The Hughes OH-6 "Cayuse" (popularly recognized as the "Loach") was a revolutionary light helicopter mount primarily in service with the United States Army and saw combat service during the Vietnam War (1955-1975). I followed footsteps. Modifications were also made to the rotor assembly by way of a five blade main rotor which increased stability. The "loach" was the LOH (Light Observation Helicopter) or OH-6A. It could accomplish missions that bigger, slower and louder helicopters couldnt do. Jim was unconscious when I helped pull him out of the burning aircraft.. Improved versions were issued through the war and included pockets on the chest and back in which large additional plates could be inserted. The Mil Mi-4 was a Soviet transport chopper used both for civilian and military purposes. The Loach helicopter was pitted against what was then known as the Bell Model 206. Ultimate Soldier Air Cavalry OH-6 "Loach" Helicopter 1/6 Scale Even trampled grass was a clue; it meant that enemy troops had passed through the area within eight hours, the time it took for grass to dry upright. The Model 369 was submitted by Hughes, and competed against the two finalists, Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, for a production contract. The Incident - CherriesWriter - Vietnam War website An author of aviation books, his latest is Howards Whirlybirds. and Images on this page are gathered from various sources. The campaign included the first major use in the war of Soviet-built, shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles. Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. . loach | My Vietnam Experience I went up in a Loach with an M60 machine gun to get used to firing the weapon. We flew down along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, he says of the supply route that wound through Vietnam and neighboring Laos and Cambodia. Primarily, it was used by the Marine Corp to transport personnel and cargo. s/n 66-07841. I still have scars on my legsit was terrifying. Hughes Model OH-6A Cayuse or LOACH Its formal name is derived from the Cayuse people while its "Loach" nickname comes from the acronym for the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) programme that it was procured under. Despite having been designed for anti-submarine combat, the Gyrodyne QH-50 was mostly used for conducting reconnaissance of enemy vessels in the Vietnam war, instead of actual combat. During May 1965, the U.S. Army awarded the production contract to Hughes. Nate Shaffer and Bruce Campbell at their assigned positions. Both the Pilot and Observer/Gunner positions were equipped with carbon fiber side panels and seats. Ive seen them, whites of the eyes, and theyve seen me, whites of the eyes. Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. 605th transportation Company (Direct Support): Nov . See his memoir Warpath: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/60299643-warpath Posted as part of the \"War \u0026 Life: Discussions with Veterans\" project. Onboard UH1 Huey helicopter (SN 66-163-56) was Aircraft Commander, WO William H. Seaborn Jr., myself as . NVA troops shot down a Cobra, killing the crew. Operation Honey Badger never went ahead, as the hostages were released in January 1981. Donald Porter September 2017 Pilot Clyde. The Model 369, with its Allison T63-A-5A series turboshaft engine, took its first flight on February 27, 1963, under the military designation YOH-6A. Accordingly, the U.S. Army's fixed-wing airplane, the Cessna O-1 Bird Dog, which was utilized for artillery observation and reconnaissance flights, would be replaced by the incoming OH-6A. The following two-week mission was to Yuma for night operation training. When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. [23][22] Such a team would have normally comprised a single OH-6 that would fly relatively slow and at a low altitude while attempting to spot the presence of enemies. Another flight competition was held, this time without a submission from Fairchild Hiller. Typically missions were flown during the daylight, starting at dawn; common roles included the clearance of landing zones and general intelligence/observation flights. These choppers were modified for combat rescue missions and had self-sealing fuel tanks, rescue hoist, and in-flight refueling abilities. [22][23] Prior to the arrival of the AH-1, "hunter-killer" teams often relied on the firepower from armed models of the Bell UH-1 Iroquois utility helicopter. We were about ready to call in tactical air support to blow up the wrecked ship when another Cobra took a lot of fire. Provision for packaged armament on port side, including an XM-27 7.62mm (0.300in) machine-gun with 2,000 - 4,000 rounds of ammunition; or an XM-75 grenade launcher, Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and Task Force 160, List of military aircraft of the United States, Hearings on military posture and H.R. "Pink teams" of scout and attack helicopters, such as OH-6 "Loach" or OH-58 Kiowa scout helicopters and the AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter during the Vietnam War; In anti-submarine warfare an Maritime patrol aircraft may be employed as "hunter", with surface ships such as destroyers as killers. The OH-6 helicopters served in huge numbers and were used for light observation and utility roles. More from us: The US Air Force Panicked When Its Top-Secret Stealth Fighter Crashed Into the California Wilderness. The Hughes OH-6A Cayuse was quite effective when teamed with the AH-1G Cobra attack helicopter as part of what were known as Pink Teams, combining the OH-6A Loach (white team) with a AH-1G Cobra atacke helicopter (red team). https://warandlifediscussions.weebly.com/Any veteran who served in any combat zone in any capacity is invited to contact Preston Jones: pjones@jbu.edu / (479) 524-7488 As the H-13s were phased out, Loaches were paired with Cobra gunships. AH-1G Huey Cobra 'Snake' . I had another lead that went through 150 feet of trees, and they survived., Shafer himself had brushes with disaster, and his luck nearly ran out on a mission west of Dak To, near the border with Laos. Following a contentious selection process that included allegations of industrial espionage and political favoritism, the first Hughes OH-6A observation helicopters arrived in Vietnam in December 1967. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft were returned to the U.S., where they were dismantled and converted back to a standard configuration; they continued to be operated as such for a time.