CHAPTER X

Airmobile Developments, 1968

Change of Command at Military Assistance Command, Vietnam

On 11 June 1968, General William C. Westmoreland passed command of the U. S. forces in Vietnam to General Abrams, who would serve as Acting Commander until General Westmoreland was sworn in as Chief of Staff of the Army on 3 July.

It would be presumptuous on my part to try to give an overall assessment of General Westmoreland's influence on the airmobile concept during his four and one-half years as Commander, U. S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam; however, there was no doubt that General Westmoreland had set the airmobile stage for his subordinate commanders through his own strategy and example. Most importantly, after giving them his broad concept of an operation, he allowed them that precious freedom which is so necessary for subordinates if they are expected to exercise their own imagination and seize fleeting opportunity.

For this study, it is important to again note that General Westmoreland believed so much in the potential of airmobility that he was willing to commit the 1st Cavalry to a major operation only days after its arrival-recognizing full well that a failure would have been not only a setback for the war but a disaster for the future of airmobility. Again, his decision to relieve Khe Sanh by a series of air assaults under the scrutiny of the entire world press was solid affirmation of his confidence in the airmobile concept. Appropriately, he would become the first Army Chief of Staff to wear the Army Aviator Badge.

Enemy Helicopters?

On the night of 16 June 1968, an incident occurred that graphically demonstrated the problems of command and control of the air space in the face of an enemy air threat. It also surfaced fundamental differences in the Air Force and Army concepts which, if not solved, could have a major impact on future airmobile tactics.