Special Forces, Recondo School, Nha Trang, Vietnam War 1966, vintage 16mm film, stock footage 204d
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- Опубликовано: 22 фев 2024
- The MACV RECONDO School was originally an extension of Project DELTA. During the times that Project DELTA was on stand down from its mission, the DELTA members trained other soldiers in the art of reconnaissance at their home base in Nha Trang. Other Commands learned of the soldiers being trained by DELTA and were soon sending their own troops to Nha Trang for training. The training mission coupled with Project DELTA’s main mission proved to be too much of a load and an agreement was reached between MACV and 5th Special Forces Group to shift the training to MACV.
On 15 September 1966, by direction of Gen Westmoreland, the 5th SFG established the Military Assistance Command Vietnam, RECONDO School at Nha Trang. The school trained selected troops from all Free World Military Assistance Forces in the long range reconnaissance techniques developed and employed by Project DELTA. The school was able to conduct the following training: a three week reconnaissance-commando course, with a maximum school capacity of 120 students-a class of 60 students began training every two weeks; a one week airborne course for reconnaissance-commando students; mandatory subject training such as escape and evasion and survival; a one week long-range reconnaissance patrol course for men assigned to Projects DELTA, SIGMA and OMEGA and later the Command and Control elements of MACV-SOG; and special training such as high altitude-low opening parachuting, scuba and/or other training missions as required. Selected Vietnam Army cadre were trained also as the nucleus of the Vietnam Army Reconnaissance-Commando School which was established later.
The 281st AHC continued its involvement in the RECONDO training. This involvement allowed the 281st to train its pilots and crewmembers in Special Operations as they were being utilized to help train the troops of RECONDO. Originally the Rat Pack was tasked with supporting RECONDO as the Bandits were tasked to support Special Operations, however as time progressed both platoons supported RECONDO when on stand down from Project Delta.
For license www.ChrisSeufert.com
I was one of the interpreters in the CIDG 550th company that attached to this MACV RECONDO school in Nha Trang, Vietnam. The 550th CIDG company pulled security around the perimeter of the school, acted as a reactionary/rescue force on alert when the students go on their field practice operation in areas considered to be VC-infested. In the late stage of the school (1971), it started to take in ARVN (Army of Republic of Viet Nam) officers/soldiers for training. I was the only interpreter selected to be an advisor-aid to help the ARVN students in the class. It has been one of the fun parts of my life!
Always found this war fascinating. I’m an aviator and love reading about the air war. But, I also can’t get enough of the LRRP books. Can’t remember the name of one, but it was one of the best books I’ve ever read.
LRRPs were very impressive, they were the most active and successful teams operating in Vietnam. It's a bit of a shame that they don't receive more recognition, they were every bit as impressive as SEALs, SOG and Green Berets. There's a big misconception that LRPs/LRRPs we're strictly reconnaissance, which couldn't be farther from the truth. They were used extremely offensively and their mission scope included; prisoner snatches, direct assaults, ambushes, enemy harassment, calling an airstrikes and of course reconnaissance.
My uncle went through recondo school and says it is his most favorite patch. He told me the guys who trained him were macv-sog? I never served but love to listen when he talks about it all.
This was awesome! Thanks for sharing.
Just think these guys all old men now in our communities.. I hope I’ve met them without knowing and gave them respect
My uncle went to this school, he served with D co 75 infantry.
From what I've read in the lurp books this was one of the schools where you'd go out on actual patrol for graduation right? And some did get k.i.a. on the graduation mission or w.i.a. if I remember correctly.