Posted by gunnyred on March 8, 2009

March 8, 1967
Area of Operations: Que Son Valley
Mission: Main mission confirm reports of possible high speed trails being used by enemy forces. Alternate mission, locate and terminate local Main Force Tax Collector and eliminate.
AAR:
Due to strain on manpower due to casualties, rotations and R&R, 1st Force Recon Company, attached to 1st Recon Bn, was tasked for the mission with minimal resources of manpower. Company command and operations decided to send in two experienced NCO, the Company Operations NCOIC and a combat experienced NCO. The rare two man team decided to travel as light as possible to move quickly through the area. Taking limited chow and water, water was in abundance in the valley, the team decided to go in heavy on small arms ammo, tripled the standard load of 180 rounds to 540 rounds. Each Marine carried 8 frag grenades, two smokes, one emergency mini smoke, two cs grenades. Since there were villages in the area, they decided not to set up traps along the trails, instead they took four "soapdish" claymores and some procured V40 mini frags to set up around their night lagger positions. Both members were equipped with .223 caliber assault weapons, one M16A1 and one XM177 carbine.

The team(call sign Leaping Lena) inserted at a designated LZ at 0800 hours and began conducting reconaissance patrols. Although there were many trails, mostly game trails, no signs of enemy activity were found. One old bunker was located at a stream crossing, and an old caved in bunker was located. Due to the lack of activity, the team was extracted approximately three and a half hours later.