Menu
Menu
HAL3 story
The genesis of a community, the “Seawolves” of Helicopter Attack Squadron (Light) THREE (HAL-3) was an all-volunteer Navy helicopter squadron formed in support of Naval Special Warfare (NSW) operations and Mobile Riverine Forces during the Vietnam War. In its short five years of existence, HAL-3 would achieve legendary status and become the most decorated Navy squadron of the Vietnam conflict.
In 1965, the Navy began to expand littoral operations in the Mekong Delta by ensuring that timely, Close Air Support (CAS) would be provided to the riverine forces. Originally supported by the Army’s 145th Combat Aviation Battalion, it was felt that Navy pilots and aircrew would be better suited due to operations from the decks of Navy ships. Helicopter Combat Support Squadron ONE (HC-1) was tasked to provide two 2-aircraft detachments flying Army UH-1B gunships. Quickly, the realization that expansion of air support was desperately needed.
In April 1967, HC-1 was divided into four separate units: HC-3 would provide Navy vertical replenishment (VERTREP) while HC-5 was a training squadron and focused on minesweeping. HC-7 would become the Navy’s dedicated CSAR squadron and HAL-3 would perform CAS and special operations support to the Riverine Forces and Navy SEALs.
With 80 volunteer aircrew selected, the “Seawolves’ were officially established on April 1, 1967 at Vung Tau Air Base under the command of LCDR Joseph B. Howard. HC1 dets became HAL-3 Dets 1-4. Det 1 deployed to USS Jennings County (LST-846), Det 2 to Nha Be Base, Det 3 to Ving Long Airfield, and Det 4 to USS Garrett County (LST-786).
By August 1967, the command grew to eight 2 helicopter detachments spread across Vung Tau, Binh Thuy Air Base, Dong Tam Base Camp, Vinh Long, Nha Be and the LSTs anchored off the coast. The four primary missions coalesced around Search and Destroy patrols, reconnaissance, MEDEVAC, and SEAL insertion/ extraction.
HAL-3 fell under the command of Task Force (TF) 116 (Gamewarden) and was originally deployed to support US and South Vietnamese Navy Patrol Boat River (PBR) and SEAL operations denying Viet Cong resources in Mekong Delta. Eventually, the squadron would also support TF-117 (Mobile River Force) operations, a joint US Army and Navy TF whose goal was to search out and eliminate Viet Cong elements along the Mekong Delta waterways.
HAL-3 continuously demonstrated extraordinary bravery and determination but certain actions such as the January 1968 response to the Tet Offensive and VC Lake operations on 15 September 1970 involving 4 Seawolf gunships need to be recognized.
In addition, during operations against the 9th North Vietnamese Army Division and Viet Cong elements on 28 April 1969, where Seawolf 320 was shot down over Cambodia and Seawolf 305 with engine oil pressure failing remained on station and landed to rescue sole survivor from 320. Both aircraft were destroyed and survivors rescued by Army Huey but the only survivor from Seawolf 305 was killed by enemy fire departing the LZ.
At the height of the Seawolves strength, 29 Huey Gunships were available with a smaller number of UH-1L helos for logistics support. HAL-3 flew over 120,000 combat sorties in Vietnam and lost 44 servicemen killed in action with over 200 wounded.
Noteworthy awards: 6 Presidential Unit Commendations, 5 Navy Crosses, 31 Silver Stars , 2 Legion of Merit Medals, 219 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 156 Purple Hearts, 101 Bronze Stars, and over 16,000 Air Medals. In addition, during operations against the 9th North Vietnamese Army Division and Viet Cong elements on 28 April 1969, where Seawolf 320 was shot down over Cambodia and Seawolf 305 with engine oil pressure failing remained on station and landed to rescue sole survivor from 320. Both aircraft were destroyed and survivors rescued by Army Huey but the only survivor from Seawolf 305 was killed by enemy fire departing the LZ.
With the decision to shut down the Seawolves, the squadron commenced stand down procedures on 26 January 1972. Over the next month, all the dets were disestablished with the last one, Det 9, shut down on March 2nd. The squadron was officially disestablished on 16 March 1972 at Binh Thuy Air Base. The Seawolves are the only Navy Squadron to never have a home base in the United States.