The flight to LZ Mary Lou brings some surprises as we land there today. Fourteen slicks line the highway. Eight from the 119th. Three from the 170th. Two from the 57th, and one from the 4th Avn. Bn. No one has any idea what is going on. After the twenty minute briefing our questions are answered.

Because of all the resent attacks on the bases the brass has decided to move D/1/8 out of Hill 467 and deploy them at FSB 27. A platoon from A/1/8 has secured the base and has a landing zone ready for us. The move is to go as quickly as possible so that is the reason for all of the ships. Delta company has about 100 men in it so each ship can grab one sortie a piece the move will be completed in less then a hour.

Arriving at Task Force Alpha's location each ship gets ready to pull their one sortie. The first to go in is Gator 409. He is greeted by heavy small arms fire. Each ship picks a direction and then races into the base. No matter which way you go the enemy is waiting for us. In all it takes 90 minutes to complete the lift. Three ships are damaged but none seriously and we have no casualties.

During the lift FSB 20 has received twelve rounds of 105mm fire. These would continue for most of the morning. They would suffer two wounded. We resupply the bases while most ship report sniper and ground fire.

Around noon C/1/8 which was nearing the area in which B/1/8 had engaged the enemy yesterday makes contact. During this contact they start to receive 105mm fire. This forces them to pull back. A Cider aircraft which was on station has spotted the large enemy gun. This is his first mistake in two weeks. Soon artillery and air strikes are raining down on the enemy gunners.

As the action continues in the north things heat up in the south. A platoon from A/3/12 has engaged the enemy near LZ Cider. They have pulled back and called in artillery. Two of our ships are sent to stand-by if needed.

Hummingbird 5 confirms that one enemy's big guns has been destroyed. He continues to search the area with a set of Cobra gun ships. C/1/8 starts to more back into the contact area and are again under enemy mortar and small arms fire. What ever is in this area is worth defending. Again artillery is called in. In the south A/3/12 again makes contact. This time the enemy uses B-40s and automatic weapons to drive the company back. They withdraw from the area and they have 8 missing.

We remain until dark. The wounded are evacuated from the bases and most of the supplies have been delivered. Casualties include 6 KIA and 8 missing. The move into FSB 27 is just another move on the big chess board. As in chess it seems the pawns are the one who are expendable.