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MAC-V-SOG PERIOD-3
MAC-V-SOG Command History Annex B:
(1971-1972) Volume II,
The Last Secret of the Vietnam War
by Charles F. Reske
[Webmaster note: this web page includes four sections which are
excerpts from the third
book in a series of three.]
MOBILE SUPPORT TEAM ONE
(C) The Mobile Support Team (MST), Da Nang functioned as a Branch of
NAD. Its parent command was Coastal River Squadron ONE, Coronado, Calif,
an integral command of Naval Inshore-Warfare Command, Pacific. All MST
personnel were Temporary Attached Duty (TAD) to NAD for a 180-day period.
The Mobile Support Team was composed of the OIC, a Navy Line Lieutenant,
and ten to fifteen enlisted men of various technical rates commensurate
with PTF/PCP craft upkeep and repair.
(S) MST supported NAD/CSS operations through the supervision of
training and maintenance efforts of indigenous personnel in the operation,
maintenance, and repair of high speed patrol craft (PTFs and PCFs) and
their associated base support facilities, and by providing logistic
support for the boats through liaison with the Navy Special programs
Office at Ship Repair Facility (SRP), Naval Supply Depot, Subic Bay,
Republic of the Philippines.
(C) Through the advisory efforts of MST, MTT assumed the responsibility
for maintenance and repair of boat equipment and installed shop equipment,
exclusive of certain minor repair/maintenance Items which were conducted
by boat crew members. By May 71, the full responsibility for planning,
conducting and supervision PTF/PCP crew training and subsequent
qualifications of boat commanding/executive officers was shifted to the
CSS,
(C) Although MST personnel functioned mainly as advisors, technical
assistance was rendered VNN counterparts in completing more complicated
tasks beyond their capabilities. Some of the major tasks performed jointly
by MST and MTT personnel included:
1. Eleven engine changes on PTFs.
2. Three engine changes on PCPs.
3. Screw changes on PTF/PCFs.
4. Re-reaving cabling on the 30-ton crane.
5. Overhaul of engines on the LCM-3 (Pusher Boat) and crane barge.
6. Installation of AN/PRC-46 radios on all craft.
7. Installation of AN/PRC-41 radios on four craft.
8. Improvements to the ventilation system in the radio and
converter rooms on all craft.
9. Installation of AN/ACR-94 radios with MG sets on two craft.
10. Installation of AN/TUS-1 Starlight Scope mounts on the bridge of
PTFs.
11. Installation of 122mm rocket launchers on PTFs.
12. Major underwater repairs to the hulls of two PCFs.
13. Complete re-wiring of the LCM-3 (Pusher Boats).
(C) With the cooperation of SRF, Subic Bay, twenty-three VNN personnel
were sent to Subic Bay to attend the Naval Ship Repair Facility School on
PTF engineering, electrical, and electronic systems.
STORM DAMAGE
(C) On 22 Oct 71, Typhoon Hester, with sustained winds of 75 knots and
gusts of over 85 knots, hit the Da Nang area. Of the 10 buildings in the
NAD/CSS complex. approximately 30 sustained damage and nine were
destroyed. The destroyed buildings were all small sheds or buildings in
the CSS Camps and were not rebuilt. The remaining buildings were repaired
by the NAD Public Works Department at a cost of $4500 material and $4000
labor. A large quantity of the material utilized was reclaimed from the
buildings themselves.
(S) PTFs 6 and 12 were damaged to the extent that they sunk at the
mooring piers. Sinking was caused by LCM-3 (Pusher Boat) breaking loose
and slamming into the stern of PTF 6, which In turn slammed into PTP 12.
The starboard quarters of both PTF 6 and PTF 12 were extensively damaged.
LCW-3 (Pusher Boat) sank as a soft patch gave way In the steering room.
PCF 3 was sunk clue to excessive damage to the starboard bow caused by
heavy winds and sea beating the boat against pontoon causeways. A 40 foot
utility boat was sunk when it became trapped between other craft during
the high winds and was crushed. All boats were raised by the salvage team
ordered from SRP, Subic Bay. The PTPs and PCF were shipped to SRF, Subic
Bay for repair. The LCM-3 (Pusher Boat) was overhauled by MST personnel of
the VNN with assistance of US Navy MST personnel. The 40 foot utility boat
was beyond economical repair and was surveyed. Repair of PTFs 8 and 12 was
hale in abeyance pending direction from higher authority. This damage
reduced NAD/CSS operational craft to four PTPs and two PCFs.
(C) On 15 Mar 72 MST assisted in the salvage of a UH-1C helicopter that
had crashed In Da Nang harbor two weeks earlier. For three days MST
personnel, in conjunction with VNN divers from the Logistical Support
Base, Da Nang conducted underwater searches for the missing helicopter. On
17 Mar the aircraft was located and raised by the MST floating crane.
Three bodies were recovered.
(S) On 29 Mar 72, SCT divers searched for the body of a US PW,
allegedly dumped into a canal in Thuan Hoa District, Ba Xuyen Province In
1971, with negative results.
(S) Anticipating an accelerated drawdown, MST initiated a complete
supply reorganization. Over 10,000 repair items, consumables, weapons, and
equipage items were inventoried and cataloged. A listing of these items
was forwarded to NSD SUBIC and Commander Coastal River Squadron ONE. When
redistribution of these items was ordered, a priority listing of
consignees was formulated and approved by CDR, MACSOG-37 and the above
activities~
OPERATIONS
(TS) PARBOIL (C) missions consisted of covert maritime operations
conducted against North Vietnam. These operations were divided into five
categories for which OPLANS were prepared by MACSOG-37
1. CLAY DRAGON: PTFs transport Sea Commando teams to designated targets
along the North Vietnam Coast and conduct cross-the-beach operations.
2. BOSTON ANTIQUE: PTFs intercept attempting to infiltrate supplies,
and destroy NVN trawlers
3. HAI CANG TUDO 1: PTFs Interdict and destroy coastal shipping
within designated areas along the coast of North Vietnam.
4. HAI CANG TUDO 2: PTFs conduct shore bombardment of selected
targets along the coast of North Vietnam.
5. GLYNN REEF: PTFs destroy/disrupt the North Vietnamese fishing
industry.
(TS) Four PARBOIL (C) missions were approved by JCS and conducted in
1971:
1. Two HAI CANG TUDO 1 operations were conducted on 10 and 19 Feb 71
with great success
2. Two HAI CANG TUDO 2 operations were conducted 23-24 and 26-27 Dec
71 with negative results. The first operation was aborted due to sea
conditions in the target area, and the second was aborted due to an
engineering casualty and enemy craft in the target area.
RESULTS OF HAI GANG TUDO 1 OPERATIONS (S)
10 Feb 71
1 cargo junk sunk.
1 cargo junk heavily damaged.
1 sleek hulled coastal freighter (HAIPHONG TL-I5) sunk.
1 SL-4 damaged.
8 prisoners taken.
3 kilos documents captured
19 Feb 71
1 cargo vessel
1 P-4 sunk.
[Author's note: The P-4 is a Soviet-built aluminum hulled motor
torpedo boat mounting 2 Machlne Guns (1 twin) and capable of attaining
speeds of up to 50 knots. All statistics on NVN and US/SVN vessels are
drawn from Jane's Fighting Ships, 1974-75.]
2 SO-1 damaged.
[The SO-1 is a Soviet submarine chaser mounting 4-25mm guns
(2 twin mountings), 4-5 barrelled NBU and 2 DCT Anti-Submarine
weapons. It can reach speeds of up to 29 knots.]
1 SHANGHAI II heavily damaged.
[The SHANGHAI II is a Fast Attack Craft-Gun transferred to NVN by
the People's Republic of China in 1966. It mounts 4-37mm guns ( two
mountings) and 4-25mm (twins) and is capable of speeds of 30 knots.]
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