HALO
submitted by: Alva Leon Matheson
SOG had launched a HALO (High Altitude, Low Opening) parachute mission into the Ia Drang Valley of South Vietnam, adjacent to the border of northeast Cambodia. The mission was launched into the remnants of a typhoon that socked the Central Highlands in with wall–to– wall IFR weather. Ceilings were near the ground, with low visibility caused by moderate to heavy rain.
Mid-morning we received word that the team was on the ground, separated, and part of the team was in contact with the enemy. Another Covey, Paul Curs, was in the area, flying circles in the clouds and in radio contact with the team. He called for help and then spiraled down through the clouds to find the team. Through great skill and luck he broke out of the clouds, probably less than 200’ AGL, right over part of the team.
We launched from Pleiku, climbed immediately into the clouds at 200’ and flew IFR out to the approximate area of the team. When we arrived overhead at probably 2,500-3,000 feet AGL in the weather, discussion with Paul indicated there was no way to get fighters into the area. In fact, the ceiling was probably too low even for Cobras to get a dive angle with which to launch ordnance.
In the meantime, Plastic was talking to the team. They were still separated; parts of the team were in intermittent contact with NVA forces.
We decided the only alternative, due to the weather, was to return to Pleiku, pick up an M-16 and some ammunition, and attempt to find the team again by flying back out under the clouds. We returned to Pleiku, shot a PAR (precision radar) approach (breaking out at 200’) and returned to squadron ops to pick up the ordnance.
We then launched special VFR under the clouds. Forward visibility in the rain was so poor that we had to navigate by looking out the side windows. The idea was to stay over the roads and rivers in order to avoid high terrain. We needed to stay below the clouds, because if we ever lost visual contact with the ground, we would have to climb, shoot the PAR again and try the same routine a second time. We had no other way to avoid the high terrain. I flew, Plastic navigated down the road and the river valley.
Nearly to the target area, we passed Paul Curs returning, flying up the same valley. Shortly thereafter some helos overhead spotted a break in the clouds. Plastic talked them down into the area and they picked up the team. As soon as the helos had visual with the team, we immediately climbed IFR, and returned to Pleiku. We shot another PAR to 200’ and landed.
As this was my last mission in country, I got hosed, drank champagne, and got generally drunk for the rest of the night. My fellow Coveys poured me onto the C-130 bound for DaNang the next morning and the day after that I boarded the freedom bird back to the world.
Because this was my last mission, and because of the party that followed, Paul and I never traded much information on this mission, until we saw each other for the first time in nearly 29 years at Fort Walton Beach during the FAC Reunion in 2000.
By accident, I ran into a Huey door gunner at an airshow in April 2000, who knew Plaster. When I knew him he was a Tech Sergeant. He rose to Major in the Special Forces and has written 2 books on SOG operations. I spoke to him via telephone in May 2000 about this mission, which he still remembers vividly.
Editor’s Note: See the story titled ‘Thanks For Saving My Life’ by Paul Curs in this section.