HA(L)-3 SEAWOLVES
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The HA(L)-3 Seawolves, officially known as Helicopter Attack Squadron (Light) Three, was officially established in april 1967 in Vung Tau, South VN and was disbanded there in 1972.
The birth of the unit was the result of the early US Navy combat experiences in Vietnam with Helicopter Combat Support Squadron One (HC-1) and its supporting US Army units. The constant effort to control the ennemy supply water routes in South Vietnam showed the urgent need for the US Navy to create an own armed helicopter unit that could provide direct and immediate support to riverine operations in the Mekong Delta area.
In april 1966 the Seawolves were first created from HC-1 elements and one year later the unit was officially established as HA(L)-3 under the direct command of Mobile RiverineTask Force 116 (Operation Game Warden).
The Seawolves primary missions as quick-reaction force were Search & Destroy, MEDEVAC, Armed Reconnaissance, SEALS insertions/extractions, ground troops and Riverine boats support. Flying both day and night in all kinds of weathers, the unit, often referred as a modern “Baa Baa Black Sheep” squadron was highly praised for its dedication to the units it supported and ended the war as one of the most decorated units of the Vietnam war, flying over 120'000 sorties in South Vietnam and Cambodia.
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The Seawolves were composed of all-volonteers Naval Aviators pilots, gunners and personnel, all trained by US ARMY personnel. The unit helicopters were refurbished ex-US Army Bell UH-B Huey gunships armed with different weapons configurations such as M2s cal.50 and M60s 7.62mm machine guns, 7,62mm Miniguns and FFAR 2,72in rockets.
In order to cover the vast and intricate Mekong Delta area and Rung Sat Special Zone South of Saigon, HA(L)-3 was divided in 9 gunships Detachments based in different locations including USN Support Ships, Additionally a Detachment “The Sealords” was tasked with logistical and transport duties and was equipped with “slicks” Hueys.
To HA(L)-3 Door gunner, HERE​
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HA(L)-3 flight gear equipment generally followed the US Navy Aviation standards. Crews were issued with green Fire Resistant Polyamide CS/FRP1 flight suits, an item introduced in early 1966 in replacement of the beige cotton C-5390 Coverall introduced in 1961, albeit this item can still be seen occasionally after 1966, together with other types of flight suits.
Since most of the Seawolves missions were flown over rivers and swamps, the crews usually wore life preservers during missions.
It seems that a variety of LPs was used from 1967 to 1972, namely WEP Mk3C, USAF LPU-2/P, USN Mark-2 and later LPA-1 and LPA-2. Gloves were normally of green/grey type Flying Summer GS/FRP1, which replaced the early yellow leather model B3A. Standard USN-issued Brown Flight Boots were normally used together with Black Leather US ARMY Combat boots.
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Other items consisted of Glasses, Sun , Type HGU-4/P, Camillus 5inches Blade Pilot Survival Knife (or other USN knives variants like Type PAL RH 37) and standard issue Smith & Wesson cal. 38 Revolver. Body Armor was generally worn both by door gunners and pilots on top of life preservers.
Source Wikipedia