Dan Riem

The 135th Aviation Company was a distinguished United States Army aviation unit formed during the Vietnam War era. Activated in 1966, the company was primarily equipped with UH-1 "Huey" helicopters and was tasked with air assault, troop transport, and support missions. The 135th gained particular recognition for its service as part of the 1st Australian Task Force in Phuoc Tuy Province, uniquely combining American and Australian personnel and equipment in joint operations. The company played a crucial role in numerous combat operations until its deactivation in 1971, leaving a legacy of cooperation and valor.

The 119th Aviation, originally constituted during the Vietnam War era, served as a pivotal aviation unit within the United States Army. Activated as the 119th Assault Helicopter Company in 1962, it provided vital air mobility, troop transport, and close air support missions in Southeast Asia. The unit earned distinction for its valor during major operations such as the Tet Offensive, supporting ground forces with tactical insertions and extractions under fire. After Vietnam, the 119th underwent several reorganizations and continues to uphold its aviation heritage within the Army National Guard, supporting both domestic missions and overseas deployments.

The 11th Air Assault Division (Test) was an experimental unit of the United States Army, activated in 1963 at Fort Benning, Georgia. Its primary mission was to test and evaluate the concept of rapid troop movement and assault using helicopters, a revolutionary tactic at the time. Over two years, the division developed and refined air mobility tactics, which proved highly effective and laid the groundwork for future operations. In 1965, the division was inactivated, and its assets were used to form the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), which soon deployed to Vietnam and demonstrated the effectiveness of air assault operations in combat.