Fire From The Sky: Seawolf Gunships in the Mekong Delta

by Richard C. Knott

This is the dramatic history of the HAL-3 Seawolves, the U.S. Navy's first and only helicopter gunship squadron of the Vietnam War. The squadron was established "in country" to support the fast, pugnacious river patrol boats of the brown water navy. Flying combat-worn Hueys borrowed from the Army, the mission of the Seawolves quickly expanded to include rapid response air support to any friendly force in the Delta needing immediate, no-holds-barred assistance. Operating in two-plane detachments from specifically configured LSTs, hastily constructed bases, and primitive campsites, the navy gunships and their crews responded to calls within minutes. Flying in all kinds of weather, day and night, they arrived at tree-top level with forward-firing rockets and flex-guns blazing. Door gunners hung outside the violently maneuvering helicopters delivering a hail of fire with their hand-held M-60 machine guns. The Seawolves inserted SEALs deep into enemy territory, and extracted them, often despite savage enemy opposition. They rescued friendly combatants from almost certain capture or death, and evacuated the wounded when Medevac helicopters were not available. Gleaned from historical documents and the colorful recollections of more than sixty Seawolf warriors, this is the first complete history of the most decorated Navy squadron of the Vietnam War. Naval aviator Richard Knott recounts the story of the Seawolves from the dawning of the concept to the moment the last squadron commander turned out the lights.

Genres: Military History, Aviation

256 pages, Hardcover

First published May 15, 2005

About the author

Capt. Richard K. Knott (Ret.) is a recipient of the Admiral Arthur W. Radford Award for Excellence in Naval Aviation History and Literature and the Alfred Thayer Mahan Award for Literary Achievement.

Reviews

[Bob Stockton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fire from the Sky is a documentation of the combat operations of the only U.S. Navy helicopter gunship squadron that was commissioned and served its entirety in the Vietnam delta, Ca Mau Peninsula and the Thailand Gulf, Helicopter Light Attack Squadron 3 (HAL-3).
It is no surprise to anyone familiar with the vicious jungle warfare that was an "ask no quarter and give none" that this squadron, born of necessity was the most decorated Navy command of the Vietnam War.

The book, which is a thorough accounting of the day to day operations of the squadron detachments which often flew from navy ships anchored offshore, chronicles the many acts of self-sacrifice and heroism of these brave men who flew the castoff "Huey" helicopters discarded by the army and patched up by the navy for support and rescue of the brown water operations in the Delta and southward.

Fire from the Sky is a must read for military historians and Vietnam veterans.

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I am so thankful for this book! Its a perfect combo of historical, technical detail and engaging, well written prose. Anyone who is curious about the HA(L)-3 Seawolves should definitely read this book!