Army Aircraft Maintenance and Support in Vietnam Growth of Aviation Logistic Support in South Vietnam From an austere beginning when two helicopter companies arrived in Vietnam on 11 December 1961, the total number of U.S. Army aircraft increased to 510 by 1 January 1965 and then further increased to a peak of 4,228 by September 1969. When the buildup commenced in 1965, the U.S. Army Support Command Vietnam had one aircraft maintenance and supply battalion (765th Transportation Battalion) to provide backup direct and general support for all Army aircraft in-country. This battalion was located at Vung Tau and consisted of direct support companies and one general support company. The three direct support companies were located at Vung Tau, Saigon, and Nha Trang. They provided back-up support for separate aviation companies having their own organic or attached direct support and they provided direct support for small aviation detachments that lacked this capability. The decision reached was to establish a separate headquarters under the direct command of U.S. Army Vietnam. This basic organizational structure has operated throughout the Vietnam Era with only one minor variation. Originally, the command was under the staff supervision of the U.S. Army Vietnam G-4. In October 1967, staff supervision was changed to the U.S. Army Vietnam Aviation Officer. Following the September 1965 decision to establish a separate command, the next two months were spent in developing an organizational structure and preparing the necessary authorization documents. In November 1965, a group headquarters was established on a provisional basis and finally, on 17 January 1966, a U.S. Army Pacific General Order was published activating the 34th General Support Group.

14TH TRANSPORTATION BATTALION "RELIABLES"

The 14th Transportation Battalion (Aircraft Maintenance and Supply), commanded by LTC Tommy Mansfield, provides direct, backup direct, and general support 'maintenance for aircraft, armament, and avionics to aviation units in Military Region 2. With headquarters in Nha Trang, the 14th is made up of five companies.

The 79th Transportation ('company (ADS) at Qui Nhon provide' maintenance and technical supply support to 279 aircraft in the northeastern section of the
Military Region 2. With an area of operation extending from t e southern border of Military Region 1 to An Khe, this unit has the most t diversified supply
mission within the 14th Battalion,. It stocks approximately 11,000 Federal Stock Number items. Under the command of Major Samuel J. Kowal, the 79th is responsible for retrograding and in-processing the majority of aircraft received by the 14th. It is also the Direct Support Unit (DSU) for the Theater Aircraft Reparable Program (TARP).

The 604th Transportation company (ADS) at Camp Holloway in Pleiku provides maintenance and supply sup port for 293 aircraft and stocks 9,100 lines of aircraft supplies. The unit's area of responsibility is the northwestern sector of Military Region 2. The Commanding Officer of he 604th is Major Arthur A. Williams.

The 608th Transportation (ADS) at Dong Ba Thin maintenance and supply company provides port for 380 aircraft and stocks 10,200 lines of aircraft supplies. Commanded by Major George H. Fasching, the 608th has the largest area of responsibility in the 14th Battalion, extending from the sea westward to the Laotian border throughout the southern portion of Military Region 2.

The 540th Transportation Company (AGS) is located at qui Nhon and provides general support maintenance and aircraft recovery throughout the 14th
Battalion's area of responsibility. It represents the battalion reserve for back-up direct support maintenance as well as providing general support activities for approximately 1038 aircraft. The 540th is under the command of Captain Frank R. Muse.

The 614th Light Equipment Maintenance Company (GS), commanded by Major Bobby R. Harris, provides support for avionics, communications, navigational, and flight control equipment in Military Region 2. It supports the 14th Battalion through three platoons are each located with the 79th, 604th and 608th companies.

"Fast and Sure" is the motto of the 610th Transportation Company (AGS). Commanded by Major John Webster, this unit is responsible for providing general support to more than 1,000 aircraft, as well as reassembling, test flying, and issuing all Army aircraft arriving in Vietnam through DaNang. Most of the aircraft handled by the 610th belong to the Americal and 101st Airborne Divisions.Although the 610th is classified as a general support unit, it does perform back-up direct support maintenance when necessary and has the capability to perform limited depot-level maintenance (with the exception of mainframe repair). It also provides technical assistance teams to various aviation units in area for needed on-the-spot assistance.

NOTE: As we find more information on the 335th and 339th companys we will put it up on the web.

It would be nice to have some pictures from the battalion Headquarters. 

Information and photos can be sent to

webmaster@14thtransbn.org