In the field with Alpha and Charlie Companies, 2-3rd Infantry, Pt. II

Aerial view of the vast expanse of territory patrolled by the 2-3rd Infantry in the area surrounding the rubber plantations near Xuan Loc.

Infantrymen from Charlie Company, 2-3rd Infantry, landing in an LZ in the battalion area of operations. Oftentimes, insertions were made into "cold landing zones," but every so often, a "hot LZ," which was everyone's worst nightmare, was encountered. A favorite tactic used by the VC/NVA was to allow one ship into the LZ, drop off its load of soldiers and then fire on the following lifts, thus isolating the soldiers on the ground and creating one major problem after another.

Once the platoon or company was safely on the ground, the point element, followed closely by the platoon/company commander, set off on a preplanned azimuth to a specific location. This particular platoon is en-route to their NDP or Night Defensive Position, which was usually near some sort of higher elevation or an area that provided decent cover and concealment.

Teddy Weeks from Alpha 2-3 preparing his weapon and gear for another long night in the bush. Because of LP and OP duty, guard duty, going out on ambush, or being on radio watch, the exhausted infantry soldiers rarely go 2-4 hours of sleep per night while in the field. If the Company or Platoon CO felt that the units' position had been compromised, then the entire unit would pack up and move to another NDP so as to deceive the enemy as to their exact location. Many times, this tactic worked and saved countless lives as mortar rounds and rockets were often fired into the first site.

An example of the tactic explained above is seen here. This particular squad from Alpha Company was out on ambush when the position they were getting ready to set up in was compromised by this group of plantation workers returning to their village. Fearing that they could possibly alert the enemy to their location, the squad wisely chose another.

Albert Beltran, Mark Muehe, and Tracy Sunde.

Once the NDP and perimeter had been prepared (which usually involved trimming down the vegetation for proper fields of fire and digging foxholes) ambush patrols were then sent out and set up along the most likely avenues of enemy movement or approach.

Helicopter re-supplies to infantry units operating in the field usually occurred every three to five days. These were always welcomed as they brought in much-needed food, water, ammunition, and hopefully, mail from home. However, they also pinpointed to every enemy soldier in the area as to where US troops were located. Since this re-supply is being done by a Chinook helicopter unloading artillery ammunition, it can be assumed that this is taking place at a small firebase outside of Xuan Loc in Long Khanh Province.

LT Leik addresses members of Alpha Company upon their return to their patrol base at An Loc .