Army Sioux pilot directing airstrike DPR/TV/1083

Accession Number F04322
Collection type Film
Measurement 2 min 30 sec
Object type Actuality footage, Television news footage
Physical description 16mm/b&w/silent
Maker Combe, David Reginald
Place made Vietnam: Phuoc Tuy Province, Nui Dat
Date made 29 April 1969
Access Open
Conflict Vietnam, 1962-1975
Copyright Item copyright: © Australian War Memorial
Creative Commons License This item is licensed under CC BY-NC
Description

One of the main tasks of pilots of the Army's 161st Independent Reconnaissance Flight based in Vietnam is directing airstrikes on enemy targets. Flying Bell Sioux helicopters, the pilots fly over the enemy target, their crewman throws a white phosphorous grenade to mark the spot and then US Air Force fighter bombers swing in to bomb the marked area. After each pass by the fighters, the Army pilot again passes over the target checking on the results and adjusting the fighters' aim when necessary. Once the US Air Force aircraft have unloaded their ordnance, the job is not over for the Sioux pilot. He makes a number of low level passes over the target checking the results and passing on the bomb damage assessment to the forward air controller liaising with the fighters. Sweeping across at tree-top level, the trained eye of the pilot picks out, bunkers, pits, tunnel entrances or any other unusual feature destroyed or laid open by the airstrike. It is only when he is satisfied that the results of the ... have all been noted that the Sioux pilot leaves the area to return to base at Nui Dat. Bomb strikes are one aspect of the Army pilots'job in Vietnam. They also carry out extensive visual reconnaissance seeking signs of recent enemy activity. Flying at tree-top level the tiny aircraft cover Phuoc Tuy province systematically. Trained to observe track indications, possible camp sites and boats, or carts or people moving through the jungle, the pilots log their findings which are kept on record at Nui Dat. By their work, the Task Force is able to assess enemy movement in the area and air strikes or ground action can be directed against the Viet Cong to render his activities ineffective on a large scale.

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  • Video of Army Sioux pilot directing airstrike DPR/TV/1083 (video)