265th Radio Research Co 101st Abn

• Origins and Mission: The 265th Radio Research Company (RRC) was a signals intelligence (SIGINT) unit of the U.S. Army Security Agency, attached to the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War. Their mission was to intercept enemy communications and provide intelligence support. • Activation: The unit was activated on 1 June 1966 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and deployed to Vietnam later that year. • Location in Vietnam: The 265th RRC was initially stationed at Phu Bai, a major intelligence hub, before moving with the 101st Airborne Division to Camp Eagle near Hue. • Support in Major Operations: The company provided crucial SIGINT support during major operations such as Operation Apache Snow, which included the infamous Battle of Hamburger Hill in 1969. • Nickname and Motto: The 265th RRC was often referred to as "The Listening Post," reflecting their role in intercepting enemy communications and providing early warning to friendly forces. • Unique Equipment: The unit used specialized vehicles known as VRC-12 and AN/PRD-1 radio direction-finding systems, as well as aircraft like the RU-21D "Super Beech" for airborne SIGINT missions. • Casualties and Valor: Members of the 265th RRC operated in hazardous environments, often close to front lines, and sustained casualties, including Sgt. John S. Leach, one of the first ASA men killed in action in Vietnam. • Integration with the 101st: The 265th RRC was fully embedded with the "Screaming Eagles," supporting both airmobile and conventional missions across I Corps Tactical Zone. • Deactivation: The unit was deactivated in April 1972 as part of the U.S. drawdown in Vietnam, after six years of continuous service. • Legacy: Veterans of the 265th RRC maintain active reunion associations and online communities, preserving the stories of their top-secret missions and honoring their role in military intelligence history.