US Navy - HELICOPTER ATTACK (LIGHT) SQUADRON THREE

HA(L) 3 - Det #2

UPDATED: 28 Dec 04

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Gunner Pendelton with 50 Cal

DET#2

HELICOPTER ATTACK (LIGHT) SQUADRON THREE

Det 2 staged from Nha Be which at times had four Gunships and double crews. The other detachments each of two UH1B Gunships. The other eight dets had 8 Pilots and 8 Gunners, two each per bird flying alternate days to provide 24 hr coverage unless short of crewmen then they flew every day. Also, the other detachments were Nomads of the Delta, Staging from small Naval Tactical Support Bases, with a contingent of Riverine Forces, Navy SEALs, outside of isolated Outposts, Special Forces Camps, canal banks, LSTs (Landing Ship Tanks) and YRBMs anchored in the rivers or just off the coast for quick strike capability.

Type missions flown were tree top, low level patrols to search out and destroy enemy troops, supplies and staging areas. Rocket and MG attacks putting in fire on the enemy to within a few feet of friendly forces, Hot Medivacs of WIA/KIA, Insertion/extractions of SEALs and other Spec Ops forces, Covert missions in Vietnam and Cambodia, Body Snatches(kidnapping) to get intelligence. Most missions flown were at night, in inclement weather and under heavy enemy fire at 90 knots. For the most part the Army tactics and operating procedure manuals were tossed as in they did not fit in our ever changing situations and specialized missions.

Chief Frazier on Right Door mounted Minigun

DET#5 - Assigned to Chau Duc and other remote outposts.

Read of the exploits of the Sea Wolves...

Navy Cross Action Seawolf and River Rats, Burning Man in the Water. An account of the Navy Cross action at Rach Gia by Navy Airman Norm Stayton.

HA(L)-3 Mission SEA WOLVES and a SEAL Op.

HA(L)-3 Mission Story of the rescue of a little girl and her mother. All missions do not have a happy ending.

HA(L)-3 Mission A veteran of over "850" Combat Missions, Mike Dobson tells us of his experiences while serving with HA(L) - 3. Take a few minutes to read this riveting account.

HA(L) - 3 Det #7 - Doug Taylor's Det # 7 Homepage. Navy helicopter detachment based at Dong Tam Vietnam.

Visit the SeaWolf's Official Site

Gunship with Door Mounted MiniGun - Det 7 Gunners Doug Taylor and Pat Keech

Always looking for Material and Scans of "Anything" related to US Fighter/Bomber/Helicopter Units to add to this site.

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