APPENDIX F
AFTER ACTION REPORT: OPERATION BLACKJACK 33
1. SIZE AND COMPOSITION OF OPERATION:
Reconnaissance Company with company headquarters; Nine Roadrunner Teams composed
of four Vietnamese Nations (VNN) each; Seven Reconnaissance teams composed of
two USASF and four VNN each; Three Mike Force Companies composed of 11 USASF and
428 VNN; Detachment A-303/Mobile Guerrilla Force 957 composed of 13 USASF and
one Mobile Guerrilla Company, 174 VNN.
2. MISSION: To conduct extended
reconnaissance and Mobile Guerrilla Force operations in AO Blackjack as directed
by CG, 1st Infantry Division.
3. TIME OF DEPARTURE/RETURN: Operation
Blackjack 33 was conducted from a Forward Operations Base (FOB) located at Phuoc
Vinh, RVN inside the perimeter of 1st Bde, 1st Inf Div. during the period 24
Apr-24 May 67. Project SIGMA advance party began movement by C-130 from Bien Hoa
Airbase to FOB 240800 Apr and completed movement 241700 Apr 67. FOB activated
241730 Apr. The main body was moved by C-123 transport from Bien Hoa Airbase
with the first element arriving 261000 Apr and the last element closing at
261630 Apr 67. The operation terminated 240700 May and the Detachment command
element (-) was returned to Base Camp by helicopter closing 240800 May. The main
body began movement 240820 May by C-130 transport to Bien Hoa Airbase. Project
SIGMA elements closed at Base Camp 241548 May 67.
4. CONDUCT OF OPERATIONS: Operation
Blackjack 33 began with the issuance of a verbal OPORD on 191300 Apr 67. CO, Det
B-56 issued a fragmentary order for movement of an advance party to Phuoc Vinh,
RVN, on 24 Apr 67. On 20 Apr 67 the units airlift requirements were submitted by
the S3 to II FFV. An advance coordination party departed for Phuoc Vinh to
select a unit location. The S2 visited II FFV, CICV, and G2, 1st Inf. Div and
obtained current intelligence and requirements concerning the assigned AO. A
message was received placing Project SIGMA in direct support of the 1st Inf Div
effective 25 Apr 67 for period of 60 days. On 21 Apr. CO, Det B-56, CO, Recon
Company, S2, Det B-56 and CO, MGF 957 made a coordination visit to Hq, 1st Bde,
1st Inf Div. Det S3 published a unit movement order for
