Welcome To The
Pathfinder
Detachment
52nd Combat Aviation
Battalion
52d CAB Pathfinder Det Airborne Reunion 2002
Walter Hurt Sp4, John Robertson 1Lt, Jerry Lahman Sgt, Larry
Fuhr Sgt, Gene Cawthon Cpl
Jackson Hole Home away from home
Photo provided by: Larry Fuhr
History
On or about August 1966, at the request of the
commander of the 52d CAB, the Pathfinder Detachment was established at Camp Holloway
to begin organizing, equipping and training to conduct combat operations by
October 1966. The mission of the pathfinder is to provide forward air to
ground assistance and navigation to all US and Allied Army aircraft and through
formal coordination, all US and Allied Air force aircraft.
The initial detachment members were all infantry trained,
out of the ten enlisted members, eight were airborne qualified, and most of
them were assigned to the 52d Battalion shortly after completing jump school,
never being assigned to a regular infantry unit. This provided a real challenge
to the training cadre in their preparation for combat.
The initial detachment members were all infantry trained,
out of the ten enlisted members, eight were airborne qualified, and most of
them were assigned to the 52d Battalion shortly after completing jump school,
never being assigned to a regular infantry unit. This provided a real challenge
to the training cadre in their preparation for combat. The pathfinder training program was basically modified, but
was very similar to the Fort
Benning Pathfinder
School, with the Drop
Zone portion deleted the training cadre was able to train the detachment in a few
weeks and was conducting missions by October 1966.
In 1967 Pathfinders from the Pathfinder
School, Ft Benning, Ga.,
began being assigned to the 52nd Pathfinder Det. AIRBORNE. The Drop Zone
Training was reinstated and Rappelling techniques were taught. This
increased the method of deployment for the Pathfinders. The use of chain saws to
clear LZ's was discontinued. The use of explosives such as C-4 and Flex-X
was instituted. Most Pilots did not realize that each Pathfinder
carried between 40 and 60 lbs of explosives in their Ruck Sack. In late
1967 or early 1968 many of the Pathfinders were giving the opportunity to make a
parachute jump with the ARVN Airborne Rangers. WHAT A TRIP.
FIRST IN LAST
OUT---------IF WE GET OUT AT ALL
By May 1967, the detachment was operating in three locations
of ll Corps area of operation. Jackson Hole,
the 1st Brigade of the 4th Infantry, Bam me Thuot with the 155th Combat Assault Helicopter Company and out of Camp Holloway
itself. At Jackson Hole and Bam Me
Thuot the pathfinder's provided air trafic control at these sites and also pathfinders were being forward deployed
with infantry company or battalion establishing new fire support bases or resupply
missions. November 1967, the detachment was challenged by providing
support by establishing, coordinating, and operating all the air to
ground resupply missions to both the 1st Brigade of the 4th Infantry and the
173rd Seperate Brigade (Airborne) during the battle of Dak To. Which at the
same time providing pathfinder support to Bam Thuot and a new brigade fire
support base located at the Oasis.
31 January 1968 TET Offensive begin the following morning
seven pathfinders were ordered by the 52nd Battalion Commander to assist the 57th
AHC at Kontum in securing their perimeter for the next eight days while other
pathfinders provided support for Dak To, Oasis and Bam Me Thuot. During
the year 1968, the pathfinder role was expanded by Major Robert Morrison, the
189th Assault Helicopter Company Commander. Major Morrison where and
whenever his aircraft were deployed on combat assault or extraction a pathfinder
team would be on the ground to provide air to ground assistance.
For more information
Contact Larry
Fuhr