[center][b][h2]LRRPs at Bien Hoa[/h2][/b]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/HqkDxOP.png?1[/img][/center]


The 173rd Airborne Brigade arrived at Saigon, Vietnam on 7 May 1965. They were the first major US combat unit to arrive in Southeast Asia. They were assigned to the US III Corps as larger US units entered the country. Their home was established at Bien Hoa Air Base near Saigon. This unit would be the only US unit to conduct a combat jump during the Vietnam War. That would happen in February 1967. 

[b][u]The Brigade consisted of the following units:[/u][/b]
[indent]Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 173rd Airborne Brigade
1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne)
2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne)
4th Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne)
3rd Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment (Airborne)
173rd Support Battalion, 
173rd Engineer Company
Troop E/17th Cavalry 
Company D/16th Armor
335th Assault Helicopter Company[/indent]

By January, 1967, the [i][b]Sky Soldiers[/b][/i] as they had become known developed a fierce reputation fighting against Viet Cong Guerrillas in the Saigon area and War Zone D. They developed Counter Insurgency Techniques which they used in rooting out the Vietnamese Guerrilla forces. The Brigade implemented Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols as ordered by General Westmoreland, Commander of Military Assistance Command – Vietnam (MACV).

The LRRPs were volunteers from the three Airborne Infantry Battalions in the Brigade. A fourth Battalion would join the Brigade the following September. Each Battalion provided a platoon forming a Long Range Reconnaissance and Surveillance Detachment (LRRS-D) or company sized organization.

The LRRP Platoon consisted of an Airborne Ranger qualified Lieutenant as the Platoon Leader, an Airborne Ranger Qualified Sergeant First Class as the Platoon Sergeant and three LRRP Squads or Teams. Each Team was lead by an Airborne Ranger qualified Staff Sergeant with an Airborne Ranger qualified Sergeant as his Assistant Squad Leader. The team consisted of a sniper team, a radio telephone operator and an additional scout. These six-man teams would be inserted deep in enemy territory initially to gain information on enemy unit locations, identification, strength and intentions. Eventually, the LRRP teams were used in direct action operations, conducting raids and ambushes against Viet Cong and PAVN Regular forces.

Our role play will consist of one of the LRRP teams consisting of volunteers from 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne). We will insert our characters in their team into “Indian” country looking for Viet Cong guerrillas.

The date is Monday, January 2, 1967

The Sky Soldiers need you to step up and join their LRRP platoons!


[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/GiSbzB9.png?1[/img][/center]