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a new tactical transport "between" the Huey and medium transport helicopter. Major General von Kann and I fought a rear-guard action in a Pentagon battle to keep the Huey program viable. When it was decided to go to the UH-1D (after an awkward pause on the original "C" design), the proper Chinook size became apparent. By resolutely pushing for the Huey and the Chinook, the Army accelerated its airmobility program by years.

The Army finally settled on the larger Chinook as its standard medium transport helicopter and as of February 1966, 161 aircraft had been delivered to the Army. The 1st Cavalry Division had brought their organic Chinook battalion with them when they arrived in 1965 and a separate aviation medium helicopter company, the 147th, had arrived in Vietnam on 29 November 1965. This latter company was initially placed in direct support of the 1st U.S. Infantry Division.

The most spectacular mission in Vietnam for the Chinook was the placing of artillery batteries in perilous mountain positions that were inaccessible by any other means, and then keeping them resupplied with large quantities of ammunition. The 1st Cavalry Division found that its Chinooks were limited to 7,000 pounds pay load when operating in the mountains, but could carry an additional 1,000 pounds when operating near the coast. The early Chinook design was limited by its rotor system which did not permit full use of the installed power, and the users were anxious for an improved version which would upgrade this system.

As with any new piece of equipment, the Chinook presented a major problem of "customer education." Commanders, pilots and crew chiefs had to be constantly alert that eager soldiers did not overload the temptingly large cargo compartment. I feel quite confident that Hannibal had the same problem with his elephants. It would be some time before the using troops would be experts at sling loads and educated in such minor details as removing the gunner's sight from the artillery pieces. The Chinook soon proved to be such an invaluable aircraft for artillery movement and heavy logistics that it was seldom used as an assault troop carrier. The early decision to move to this size helicopter proved to be indisputably sound.

The origins of many of the major operations of Vietnam can be traced to some minor enemy contact which was quickly exploited by airmobile forces. Often this was the only way the elusive enemy