Page 6 - Ft. Huachuca Scout 7-2-15

6A The Scout
Military Intelligence – Moment in MI history
More aerial intelligence systems used during Vietnam War
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During the Vietnam War, the Army possessed three
distinct aerial intelligence capabilities.
The U-6 Beaver fixed-wing airborne radio-direction
finding (ARDF) platform was discussed in last month’s
article. In addition to the U-6 first used for ARDF, the
Army Security Agency (ASA) also modified U-1 Ot-
ter, U-8 Seminole, CV-2B Caribou, and P-2E Neptune
aircraft for the airborne signals intelligence (SIGINT)
collection mission. These aircraft intercepted and col-
lected enemy communications and non-communica-
tions (radar) signals emissions. They were respectively
known as LAFFING OTTER / CAFÉ GIRL, CHECK-
MATE / WINEBOTTLE / CEFISH PERSON, GO-
FER DELTA, and CRAZY CAT / CEFLIEN LION,
depending on the type of equipment installed.
Additionally, in 1968, ASA introduced the RU-21D
LAFFING EAGLE with automated direction-finding
capability and, in 1971, the JU-21A LEFT JAB provid-
ed the first airborne collection system with 360-degree
direction-finding coverage. Both platforms met the
requirement for airborne interception of enemy com-
munications, including voice and Morse code signals,
along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The LAFFING
EAGLE was credited with intercepting elements of the
North Vietnamese Army’s 1st Division and their plans
to launch a 1969 Tet Offensive.
In addition to the fixed-wing ARDF platforms, the
Army fielded a heliborne system.
In mid-1967, specially-configured UH-1 helicopters
with LEFT BANK direction-finding equipment were
assigned directly to the 1st Cavalry and 4th Infantry di-
visions in Vietnam. The helicopters were flown by divi-
sion pilots with on-board ASA operators whose mission
was to locate and target time-sensitive enemy threats.
These platforms were the only airborne SIGINT
U.S. ARMY PHOTO
The three key models of the OV-1 Mohawk are shown in Vietnam.
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015
PHOTO COURTESY OF RETIRED COL. CARLOS COLLAT, SHOWN ON THE RIGHT
The three LEFT BANK systems assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division were known as The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
systems that fell under the direct operational control weather conditions. The advanced infrared system
of the maneuver commander. The four-man crew flew mounted on the OV-1C could detect heat traces from
four-hour missions to establish the locations of targets small cooking fires, a recoilless rifle flash, or from
to which a scout and gunship helicopter team respond- truck engines that had been parked for as long as 16
ed. The LEFT BANK received credit for locating 234 hours, allowing surveillance through darkness, camou-
enemy targets and 50 enemy base areas, as well 151 flage or jungle cover. The addition of these new types
enemy killed in one three-month period. of imagery from the systems on board the Mohawks
In 1970, Maj. Gen. E.B. Roberts, commander of the led to the name change from photographic intelligence
1st Cavalry Division praised the LEFT BANK: “I can- (PHOTINT) used since World War I to imagery intel-
not overstate the highly valuable intelligence, reported ligence (IMINT) still used today.
on a near real-time basis, that the Cav [sic] has accrued The significance of these airborne systems as key
as a result of this splendid system.” providers of intelligence for combat commanders in
The advantages of airborne SIGINT collection over Vietnam cannot be overstated. But the Army paid a
ground-based sites was clear. Airborne systems could heavy price. More than 60 Mohawks were lost in Viet-
cover a larger area more quickly and get closer to en- nam, Laos and Cambodia. Most were shot down by
emy transmitters for more accurate locations. Finn enemy ground fire; one was lost to a surface-to-air
Larsen, deputy director of the Department of Defense missile while on a mission in the DMZ in 1966; one
Research and Engineering organization, stated, “Dur- was destroyed on the ground during an enemy attack
ing my recent visit to South Vietnam I observed and on its base in 1968; another was shot down by a MiG
was told by our senior commanders that ... airborne in 1969. Another 36 Mohawks were lost to operational
direction finding and airborne intercept is providing accidents.
80 to 85 percent of the intelligence used in planning The planes were not the only loss. Seventy-two
and operations against the Communist forces in South American personnel and their South Vietnamese coun-
Vietnam.” terparts lost their lives conducting Mohawk missions.
The third aerial intelligence capability was an im- In addition, two U-6, two U-8, one JU-21 LEFT JAB,
agery platform. Army personnel flying OV-1 Mohawks and two EH-1H LEFT BANK helicopters and their
supported combat operations with day and night visual crews were lost during the war.
and photographic surveillance and targeting. The OV-1 A memorial plaque dedicated to Military Intelli-
Mohawk was the only fixed-wing aircraft built specifi- gence aviators who have given their lives in pursuit of
cally for the Army’s intelligence mission. aerial intelligence, including those from the Vietnam
The first OV-1 Mohawk arrived in Vietnam in 1962 War, is located at the Army Intelligence Aviation Me-
with the 23d Special Warfare Aviation Detachment. By morial Park on the corner of Hatfield and Irwin streets
the end of the war, A (photographic), B (side-looking on Fort Huachuca.
airborne radar [SLAR]), and C (infrared radar) mod- (Editor’s note: This article is seventh in a series
els were under direct operational control of field com- on Military Intelligence in Vietnam marking the 50th
manders. anniversary of the commitment of American combat
The SLAR capability provided long-range surveil- troops to South Vietnam. It is drawn from a number of
lance of moving targets, especially at night and in poor published sources.)