Operation Blackjack 33. OPORD 8-67 (Operation Blackjack 33) was published 242300 Apr 67. On 271400 Apr an aerial reconnaissance of the entire AO was conducted. Helicopter support, provided by 162d Assault Helicopter Company, was composed of four transport and two armed helicopters. Two O1E radio relay were provided by 184th Avn CO. CO, Det B-56 ordered three Roadrunner Teams to begin preparation for infiltration on 27 Apr. On 281055 Apr. CO MGF 957 arrived at the FOB and briefed the CO, Det 3-56. On 281345 Apr. CO, Det B-56 and CO, MGF 957 briefed the CO, 1st Inf Div and on 290800, S3, Det B-56 briefed CO, 1st Bde and staff. On 021907 May MGF 957 (-) was lifted by helicopter into AO vicinity Chi Linh. On 022020, CO Det B-56, DCO and S3 returned from visit with MGF 957 at Trang Sup and Chi Linh. MGF 957 was extracted from AO with KIA and MIA and closed FOB 032030 May. On 040830 May, CO, 5th SFGA and DCO, Spec Opns, arrived FOB for briefing on MGF 957 engagement. On 041145 May MGF 957 was moved to Trang Sup by 2 CH-47 helicopters. On 071500, CO, MGF 957 presented mission briefback at FOB for DCO Spec Opns, 5th SFGA and party. MGF 957 closed at Dong Xoai 091700 May and entered AO on foot at 092400 May 67.

a. Reconnaissance Team Operations:

(1) Recon Msn 1: Team received order 290930 Apr and presented mission briefback 29200 Apr. Team infiltrated 300626 Apr vic XT971400 without incident. At 301025 Apr team sighted approx 5-10 VC vic XT971679 and requested artillery at 301049 Apr. Results of artillery fire are unknown. Team was extracted by sling under fire vic XT988682 at 011810 May.

(2) Recon Msn 2: Team received mission order 291000 Apr and presented mission briefback 292030 Apr. Team attempted infiltration vic XT975397 at 300759 Apr. Team leader suffered a broken leg exiting the helicopter and the mission was aborted.

(3) Recon Msn 3: Team received mission order 302000 Apr. conducted aerial recon of RZ 010900 May and presented mission briefback 012030 May. While attempting infiltration vic XT9l8571 at 020620 May, the helicopter crashed, not as a result of enemy action. Four USASF personnel were slightly injured, but all returned to duty. Gunner of helicopter crew was medevaced. All personnel, radio and weapons were immediately evacuated. A reaction platoon was airlanded at 020710 May and secured the downed helicopter until evacuated.

(4) Recon Msn 4: Team received mission order 011400 May, conducted aerial recon of RZ 020900 May and presented mission briefback at 021300 May. Team was infiltrated vic YT012814 at 030650 May. At 030715 May 2 VC were sighted and a hasty ambush was set up in an attempt to capture a PW. The two VC sighted returned in approx 20