Operation Prarie Fire

Prairie Fire missions were joint missions that were US Army Special Forces, US Army or ARVN helicopters carrying the troops, US Marine UH-1E gunships (HML-367) and sometimes US Army Huey Cobras.

''The Army Special Forces were with ARVN Special Forces or "indigenous troops" (Montagnards) that were flown into Laos and dropped off to basically see exactly what was happening along the Ho Chi Minh trail. ''

An area would be "prepped" (a couple 2.75" rockets fired in to clear a LZ) and sprayed with some M60 machinegun fire. We would hover awhile in the area awhile to attempt to draw enemy fire then pull out and the troop carrying bird would come in and hover or set down then quickly exit. This would be done in multiple areas so the NVA/Viet Cong would not know which location the insertion was.

These were very brave men to go into heavily infested enemy territory in 6 to 10 man teams.