The rain from yesterday is going to cause us problems this morning. Heavy ground fog covers the valley and getting into some of the bases will be a problem. The first order of business is getting Gator 606 out of LZ Cider. They have spent uneasy night with the bird sitting on their lower pad. The only reason why the NVA have not mortared them is because of the fog. The helicopter is much to good of a tartget to go untouched.

The first sortie proves to be interesting. Although they can't see us, they can hear us. The enemy has loaded their weapons with nothing but tracers and will fire at the sound of our ships. They know we won't return fire because of all the friendly troops working the valley. This game will continue until the fog fianlly burns off at mid morning.

With the fog gone we start our day's tasks. The first thing is to airlift A/1/8 out of Hill 467. They will regroup at FSB 20. There they will pull palance guard (firebase security) and get some rest. B/1/8 will take their place at Hill 467 and become part of Task Force Alpha. They will now work the Plei-Trap road. Company A is really beat up. Their numbers were only in the eighties when this operation started. Even with the replacements we have brought them their number total less then 70 guys.

During the move another problem comes up. An OV-1 Mohawk from the 225th Aviation Company was doing a photo recon near the border. They were looking for the artillery pieces which has eluded us. They instead have found a 37mm anti-aircraft gun. Both the pilot and the obsever have ejected and most of the ships in the valley are responding to their Mayday. Gunships, LOHs, slicks, and Dust-Offs are on station. If the enemy makes one false move towards these pilots the entire valley is there to make them wish they hadn't. After 30 minutes both pilots are recovered and we return to our duties.

During an afternoon move C/1/8 engage the enemy. The entire route along the road seems to have bunkers and ambushes set up for our guys. By late afternoon most of the bases are receiving sniper fire. Several ships have called in fire. The valley is not the only place catching hell. One of the convoys on their way to Polei-Kleng received small arms fire and B-40 rockets. The NVA are up to something but what we have yet to figure out.

During the flight home we do receive some bad news. One of the pilots of the Mohawk died on the way to the hospital. He was one of five Americans to die today. Another day in which action would be termed "Light".