CHAPTER XII

Organizational Changes and Laos, 1970-1971

Organizational Changes

With the exception of decentralizing its maintenance, the organization of the 1st Cavalry Division had remained essentially unchanged since its deployment to Vietnam. Indeed, General Howze would find its organization very similar to the proposed plan his Board had prepared in 1962. However, after the Cambodian campaign, the ever-increasing area of operation, and the requirement to support more Army of the Republic of Vietnam operations, General Putnam was prompted to examine means to increase his air cavalry capability.

In August 1970, General Putnam directed an analysis of the productivity of the aircraft assets of the 1st Cavalry Division. This analysis disclosed that airlift escort by a section of two Cobras from the gun company of the airlift battalions was the least productive mission being flown by the division. It was determined that the escort at that time could be forgone since aerial rocket artillery ships were always at the critical points, the pickup zones and landing zones. The analysis also revealed that essential general support missions normally flown by the OH-6A could be supported by fewer aircraft if careful controls were maintained. Based on these findings, two provisional air cavalry troops were formed using the Assault Weapons Companies of the 227th and 229th Assault Helicopter Battalions and attaching necessary OH-6's and personnel from other Division units. This enlarged the air cavalry squadron to five troops and greatly increased the Division's capability to cover its farflung operations.

A short time later, the 1st Cavalry Division was given operational control of a separate air cavalry squadron, the 3d Battalion 17th Cavalry. General Putnam commented:

I then had two and two-thirds squadrons of air cavalry. Our ARA battalion had always been responsive to fire support requirements from