History Boxcar Homepage
of 178th Aviation Company (Medium Helicopter)
1 September 1965 - 31 December 1965
Prepared By
Major Jack L. Keaton
Unit Historian
Approved By
Roger J. Shields
Major
Commanding
Headquarters
10th Aviation Group
Fort Benning, Georgia 31905
178th Aviation Company (Medium Helicopter)
10th Aviation Group
Fort Benning, Georgia 31905
Mission and Organization
The 178th Aviation Company was activated at Fort Benning, Georgia on 1 September 1965 per Third United States Army General Order number 271 dated 1 September 1965 at zero strength in personnel and equipment. Major Roger J. Shields was named commander of the unit and Major Jack L. Keaton was named executive officer.
The 178th Aviation Company was organized under TO&G 1-285F dated 16 February 1965. The 178th was attached to the 10th Aviation Group, Fort Benning, Georgia. The mission of the 178th was to organize, receive personnel and equipment, and prepare to deploy to a restricted area overseas.
The 178th consists of a company headquarters, operations platoon, tow helicopter platoons, and a service platoon. Personnel authorized consist of 13 officers, 25 warrant officers, 124 enlisted men. The company equipment consists of 16 each CH-47 (Chinook) helicopters, 2 each CH-13S (Sioux) helicopters, 19 motor vehicles, and other equipment necessary to a medium helicopter company. The company has the following units attached, which were activated by the same general order as the 178th.
a. The 400th Transportation Detachment (Medium Helicopter Field Maintenance), which provides third echelon aircraft and avionics maintenance support. The detachment has 1 officer, 1 warrant officer, and 80 enlisted men authorized. The detachment equipment consists of 9 motor vehicles and other equipment peculiar to a medium helicopter field maintenance detachment. Major Eddie D. Monroe was named the detachment commander.
b. The 774th Medical Detachment which provides medical support,
has 1 officer (flight surgeon) and 8 enlisted men authorized.
Captain
Julio Balette (Flight Surgeon) was named detachment commander.
The three units resided at Fort Benning, Georgia from activation date through 31 December 1965. The 178th had a 78% fill of personnel as of 31 December 1965. The 400th had a 74% fill and the 774th had a 67% fill of personnel as of 31 December 1965. The 178th had a 61% fill of TO&G equipment as of 31 December 1965. The 400th had a 32% fill and the 774th had a 74% fill on equipment as of 31 December 1965.
Operations and Training
The units began a POR training cycle on 22 November 1965 and concluded this cycle on 15 December 1965. During the period 1 October 1965 through 31 December 1965 the assigned pilots were undergoing pilot transition training in the CH-47 (Chinook) helicopter. As of 31 December 1965 all authorized pilots were assigned, and all except three had completed CH-47 pilot transition training. During the period from activation through 31 December 1965 all newly assigned enlisted personnel were, where possible, placed with our host unit for on the job training. Our host unit was the 177th Aviation Company (Medium Helicopter). During this same period, many of the assigned helicopter mechanics were given AAMTAP training which was conducted at Fort Benning, Georgia by factory representatives.
Maintenance and Supply
During the period from activation through 31 December 1965 the unit had no operational requirement or capability. No aircraft had yet been received and all other equipment upon receipt was processed and packed for shipment overseas. As a result there was very little maintenance activity except in the area of training. The supply section, under the supervision of Captain Davis Clark, was very active during this period. The supply section was required to requisition, receive and prepare for overseas shipment all TO&E equipment and spare parts.
Special Problems
Problem - The gradual receipt of enlisted personnel during this period made it very difficult to establish and conduct a firm POR training program.
Recommendation - That the maximum number of personnel be assigned on or very near the unit activation date, to preclude excessive waste of time and duplication of training requirements.
Problem - Approximately ninety percent (90%) of the assigned helicopter mechanics were not qualified in the 1964 Model CH-47 (Chinook) helicopter. This necessitated an extensive AAMTAP training program. This training program was further complicated by the gradual fill of personnel as described above.
Recommendation - That personnel assigned to a newly activated unit that is scheduled for early deployment to an overseas area be fully qualified to perform required MOS duties in the new unit.
Miscellaneous
Inspections - This unit received a special inspection of unit readiness by the Fort Benning Inspector General on 14 December 1965. The inspection resulted in the unit being commended by the inspector on its high state of readiness, future plans and professional attitude.
Awards and Commendations:
1. Major Eddie D Monroe was awarded the Army Commendation Medal
on 15 December 1965.
2. CWO W-3 Richard E Lamar was awarded the Army Commendation Medal on 15 December 1965.
3. CWO W-3 James L McCullough was awarded the Senior Army Aviator Badge on 13 December 1965.
4. CWO W-2 Robert L Johnson was awarded the Air Medal on 15 December 1965.