The 179th Aviation Assault Support Company has had a fine record since arriving in the Central Highlands of South Viet Nam, at Camp Holloway, Pleiku. The company was set up on T O & E records in September 1966. It was moved to Viet Nam in November of 1966, to finally arrive in Pleiku, II Corps area, in December of 1966. From this time on, the company has set forth records of achievement that would make any Aviation Company proud.

  Being the only inland CH-47 Chinook Company, the 179th has been instrumental in all of the major offences in the II Corps area. There has been an average of four major assaults a year that have been supported by the courageous pilots of the "SHRIMPBOAT" company. The "SHRIMPBOAT's" have operated south in the areas of Ban Me Thout. It was involved in the operations at Vu Prang, assisting in the rescue work and support of the infantry and artillery units. Onto the north, there was Ben Het, Doc Seang, and Doc Pek, where bitter fighting cost the lives of many men and aircraft. It was one of the "SHRIMPBOAT" aircraft that first crossed into Cambodia for the initial assault of that operation. Many tons of food and weapons were brought back and given to the Vietnamese by the CH-47's. The aircraft and pilots worked many long hours resupplying the fire support bases with the necessary ammunition.

   Working in the II Corps with professionalism was worthwhile in that the Company has a safety record of which is highly jealous. At present, the Chinook company has over twenty safe flying months and over 16,000 hours without an accident. The 179th is not out to set records, but to show a professional attitude in its operations in the support role, fulfilling its mission to the units of the II Corps area.

  At present, the "SHRIMPBOAT" Company is assigned sixteen CH-47-C Chinooks. The 179th was the first company to be supplied with all 'C' model Chinooks. This requirement had to be met because of the Higher Density Altitude in the Central Highlands.