Global Warfighters: River Patrol Force in Vietnam

The development of a robust riverine warfare capability during the Vietnam War produced the forerunner of the modern U.S Navy Special Boat Teams or Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen (SWCC).

In 1966 River Patrol Force (Task Force 116) operated River Patrol Boats conducted counterinsurgency operations in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. A SEAL Platoon was assigned to each of the five River Squadrons inserted and extracted from their patrol area by PBRs.

The River Patrol Boats' mission was partly to support the SEALs with riverne infil, extraction and fire support from the rivers. Much of their deployment was also about to prevent VC to use the Mekong Delta river systems for transport and smuggling routes. To front the enemy, the U.S Navy launch Operation Game Warden and Operation Market Time.

The River Patrol Boats were supported in the River Patrol Force by the so-called “SEAWOLVES”. Helicopter Attack Squadron (Light) 3, nicknamed the "Seawolves", was an all-volunteer squadron in the US Navy formed in support of Naval Special Warfare operations and Mobile Riverine Forces during the Vietnam War.

After the activation of HA(L)-3 missions included Search and Destroy patrols, reconnaissance, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), and SEAL Team insertion and extraction. From its inception the squadron were designed as a quick-reaction force. Two ship formations would stand alert for 24-hour shifts and respond to close air support requests up to 50 miles (80 km) away from their base. The squadron fell under the command of Task Force 116 and was originally deployed to support Patrol Boat, River (PBR) operations, but in time the squadron found themselves supporting Task Force 117 operations and even Army forces.

Music Copyrights:
(C) Jim Bonney - Straight Razor Blues

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