Squadron History, June 1970

2nd Squadron, 17 Cavalry (Airmobile), Unit History for 1970.

During the period 17 to 25 June the 2/17th Cav, was involved in extensive operations in the vicinity of FSB Leatherneck. The Squadron relocated its Tactical Operations Center to Quang Tri. Prior to concentrating the entire Squadron, A Troop conducted extensive visual reconnaissance in the area and had developed a good deal of reliable, intelligence. Five NVA wearing green uniforms and armed with AK-47's were observed moving across a landing zone. The area was engaged with gunships resulting in two NVA killed. An estimated 200 log reinforced bunkers were observed. Fifteen pup tents, two camp fires, numerous trails oriented in all directions, six ponchos and ten NVA were observed and the area engaged by gunships. It was felt that elements of the 304th NVA Division, specifically the 66th NVA Regiment, had a base camp and a hospital in the vicinity. It was this target that the Squadron sought to discover

Initially, D Troop was committed on 19 June, and they discovered a complete field hospital and bunker complex. Enemy contact was made resulting in one NVA/KIA by fragmentation grenade. All enemy equipment with the area totaled eight RPG's, 71 Chicom grenades, two rolls of commo wire, 40 pounds of demolitions, 1000 pounds of rice, 24 full trucks, 100 pounds of medical supplies, a complete supply of surgical instruments and one SKS rifle, 20 pounds of documents. A and B Troops aero-rifle platoons and inserted with D Troop to exploit the situation. On the 19th the Squadron received operation control of the Hao Bao Company, from 1st ARVN Division. The Hao Bao, a well trained highly disciplined mobile strike force, normally employed by the 1st ARVN Commander, was inserted and swept across the hospital-base area objective. The operation terminated as a complete success on 25 June end the Squadron's organic elements and the Hao Bao back to their base comps.

The Squadron in July remained "OUT FRONT" in the Division Reconnaissance Zones. Having the same operational commitment as in the previous two months, and having just completed a successful combined US/ARVN operation, the Squadron was anxious to launch into a new month. The rangers remained in the vicinity of the Laotian border and the Khe Sanh Plains, until 28 July when they moved into the 2nd Brigade area of Operations around Loach Island and south of FSB Bastogne.