The Army Air Corps of WW II tried to develop close air support all
throughout the war with generally poor results. Tried first at Anzio (a
failure), work was done developing portable radio sets to facilitate
communications between ground and air units. At least two Air Corps sergeants
with a radio equipped jeep participated in "Operation Market Garden."
They loaded into a glider with the British 1st Airborne Division and
disappeared into the inferno at Arnhem of "A Bridge Too Far" fame.
The conflict in Korea provided additional opportunities for development of
close support doctrine which by now had to account for the needs of high speed
jet aircraft.
The US Air Force became involved in advisory operations in South Vietnam in
1961. Operation Plan 226-61 developed from work done at Keesler AFB,
Mississippi was published in December 1961. The plan called for Air Support
Operations Centers, Air Liaison Officers, and Forward Air Controllers. This
plan established a Tactical Air Support Control System for South Vietnam. The
USAF gradually picked up the operational load from the VNAF and an Air
Operations Center became operational at Ton Son Nhut (Saigon), along with Air
Support Operations Centers at Danang, and Pleiku in January 1962. Danang
supported I Corps operations. Pleiku had responsibility for tactical air
support for both II and III Corps until March 1963 when Air Support Operations
Centers were established in III and IV Corps areas.
In June 1964 Tactical Air Control Parties with ground radio equipment were in
the field and by the end of that year were operating in all four Corps areas.
The 505th Tactical Control Group was activated on 1 August 1965 as the
6250th Tactical Air Support Group.
In August 1965 the Air Support Operations Centers became Direct Air Support
Centers (DASC).
On 8 November 1965 the 6250th was re designated the 505 Tactical Control Group
and assigned the 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd Tactical Air Support Squadrons,
619th and 620th Tactical Control Squadrons, and one Tactical Control
Maintenance Squadron (505 TCMS).
The mission of the 505 TCMS was; 1. Operate and maintain tactical air control parties for the Direct Air Request Net. 2. Provide field maintenance capability for power production units located in SEA.
The 505 TCMS had its beginnings in early 1964 as the USAF began to provide tactical air request support for the Vietnamese army. A Direct Air Request Net was established with Air Liaison Officers and Forward Air Controllers supported by TDY radio operators, portable radio equipment obtained from Marine Corps inventory, and HF SSB fixed station radio sets from MARS stations. In November 1964 this unit was dubbed "Project Pack-Rat." At the time, Project Pack-Rat consisted of two officers, about 100 radio operators, 19 maintenance technicians and several supply specialists. Project Pack-Rat became the 6250th Tactical Communications Maintenance Squadron in August 1965 and the 505 TCMS in November of that year.
The mission of the 21st TASS was; Provide visual reconnaissance and airborne forward air control support of tactical offensive operations.
The 21st TASS was activated on 8 May 1965 and became operational in August of that year. The 21st TASS immediately became involved in combat operations including:
The list above does not include all engagements of the 21st TASS in 1965. It is intended to demonstrate the intensity of the conflict as the American buildup in South Vietnam was swinging into high gear.
The 14th Air Commando Wing deployed to Nha Trang March 25, 1966. The 505 TCG
units in II Corps became part of the 14th in December 1966. Detachment 3 of the
505 TCMS (Pleiku) became part of the 21 TASS at that time.
The Air Commando Wing was re-named Special Operations Wing in 1968 to better
reflect the missions of the unit.
In 1968 the 505 Tactical Control Group was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. The 505 TCMS shared that award for service in the period 1 September 1965 through 31 August 1966. Here is the citation accompanying the award. "The 505th Tactical Control Group, Pacific Air Forces, distinguished itself by exceptionally meritorious service from 1 September 1965 to 25 May 1967. During this period, aircrew members operated extremely vulnerable unarmed reconnaissance aircraft while acquiring information of paramount significance to the security of the Free World. The gallantry, courage, perseverance, and professional competence displayed by the members of the 505th Tactical Control Group are in keeping with the finest tradition of the military services and reflect great credit upon themselves and the United States Air Force."