As a member of the TACP and the MACV Advisory Team 94 at Song Be, Phouc Long Province, I was party to some rather unusual happenings during 1965-1966. Although we were meant to be advising ARVN Infantry and Ranger Battalions, we were co-located with and effectively a part of U.S. Special Forces Detachment B-34. As the ARVN Infantry, at Song Be, were not inclined to do much fighting, except amongst themselves, we could be utilized most effectively by concentrating our efforts with the Rangers and taking an active role in special operations being conducted in the Province. This was done with the support and encouragement of the Province Chief who was more than a little disillusioned with the performance of the ARVN himself. Their constant squabbling amongst themselves was a major source of irritation that even involved the civilian populace in some instances.

Although fights and minor shoot outs between the Infantry and Ranger units was fairly common, it took a whole new turn one December day. The night before, there had been some sort of altercation (probably over a woman) in the village that resulted in another shooting incident, one or two dead and a couple wounded. First thing in the morning the U.S. Army Advisors from both of the Battalions arrive in our camp trying to figure out a way to calm the situation before it got completely out of control. The Rangers and the Infantry were gathering on opposite sides of the airstrip and looked to be preparing for a full on battle. Machine guns had been brought up by both sides and it was simply a matter of time before an itchy trigger finger, on one side or the other, sparked the flame. The Province Chief arrived as well, he too was at wits end as to how to avoid the confrontation. The first thing that our C.O., the senior U.S. Advisor, did, was call a meeting of all team members to see if anybody had an idea for a peaceful solution to the problem. As most team members had acquaintances, or friends, on both sides of the dispute, perhaps we held the key to getting through the next few hours until cooler heads could prevail.

The situation had got to the point that suggestions, from all sources, were welcomed. The Operations Officer (S3) asked for the ALO to offer his thoughts as the meeting was getting nowhere, he mentioned that the FAC's probably had as much, if not more respect amongst the soldiers than any one else there. Captain Pocock (the ALO) made the suggestion that we had to create a diversion to get there minds off the confrontation. He then suggested that a good way to do this might be accomplished by holding a parade. Everyone sort of looked at each other and obviously thought the AF was off in the wild blue yonder or something. The Captain went on to explain that if we all marched out there and down the airstrip, Special Forces, Air Force, Ranger and Infantry Advisors alike, we would be showing them what team work is all about. He then suggested that he and 1Lt Kaiser (the other FAC) would taxi their planes at the lead and rear of the parade just to remind them what power was available should they wish to pursue the disagreement to its ultimate conclusion. Just to reinforce the point, we would arrange an over flight by a couple of fighter bombers just to get their attention focused. After much discussion, it was decided to give it a try as no other real alternatives had been put forth.

While quickly planning the parade, one thing was apparent, if this didn't work we could all be caught in crossfire. Viper 9 (1Lt Kaiser) suggested that they swing the O1's (armed with rockets) towards the opposing sides when the parade was midway between the two groups. Those soldiers knew very well what followed the marking of a target, with the fighters overhead it would be pretty unlikely that anyone would be mad or silly enough to invite trouble from that quarter. Now, to put together the details, it was decided that the Province Chief and our C.O. (LtCol Roy) would lead the marching unit with the Sergeant Major commanding the troops. The parade would consist of two columns with the Ranger Advisors leading the left and the Infantry Advisors leading the right (the Rangers were on the left side of the airstrip, the Infantry on the right). The rest of us would fall into line according to height, regardless of rank or branch of service. We were all to wear full web gear and loaded weapons with the barrels pointed downward as a gesture of peace while making it clear that we were prepared for any eventuality.

As the Province Chief had already, through his channels, let III Corp at Bien Hoa know that we had a highly volatile situation to deal with, my request for air cover was approved at once. At first, we were offered a flight of four VNAF A1E's which I thought, considering the circumstances, might not be the wisest choice. We didn't need to add an inter service rivalry situation into this as well. I asked for F-100's, if at all possible, for three reasons - one, F-100's carry a formidable array of weapons - two, the ARVN were aware that F-100's were our alert air cover if we came under attack -three, they carried enough fuel that they could loiter in the area if needed. Ramrod 23, a flight of two F-100's was approved with a TOT (time on target) of 30 minutes. I informed the DASC that I would be off the air for approximately one hour but 4 Harvest Night would be monitoring the radios and the fighters should contact Viper 7 on UHF 271.0.

We all assembled outside the front gate of the compound and started marching towards the airstrip. Now, I had never cared much for marching but it was different this time - there was a purpose to what we were doing. Unlike most marching formations, we all managed to stay in step with very little need for cadence of any kind, just the clump - clump - clump of the heels hitting the ground. As we approached the airstrip the O1's engines came to life and Viper 7 started taxiing towards the end of the runway. He taxied past the groups assembled on either side of the strip then turned the plane around and started taxiing back toward the formation. Viper 9 was taxiing after us a few yards to the rear. As we came abreast of the opposing groups we were called to a halt. Viper 7 swung his plane around facing towards the Rangers, Viper 9 swung his around facing the Infantry. The column to the right was given the command to "Face Right", the column to the left "Face Left". The Ranger and Infantry Advisors then marched towards their respective units while we all stood fast. The Province Chief, with Col Roy by his side, then proceeded to give a speech that sounded more like a scolding. Just as the PC finished his speech, some of the troublemakers had started to wander off, the approaching fighters could be heard. They were flying side by side and dove down to about 1,000 feet then leveled off, flew straight down the airstrip then climbed out to the left and right. They made a wide turn then came barreling in from opposite directions to cross right above our formation. Let me tell you, it was thrilling stuff and I felt a great deal of pride in the Air Force right then, I think all of us did. The Province Chief gave another short speech and the remaining would-be combatants began to move out more rapidly now.

We then marched back to the compound, if anything, we marched even better on the way back than we had earlier. When we reached the camp, the C.O. and the P.C. expressed their appreciation and then the Sergeant Major told us we could stand down for the rest of the day while he arranged a barbeque and a few drinks for later in the afternoon. As we only had one air strike scheduled, for the early afternoon, the AF team would get to have a little fun too. Later on, the ARVN Advisors and their counterparts arrived for the festivities and a bit of fence mending. All in all, it had been a very worrisome yet satisfying day, no shots had been fired - but it hadn't been an Easter Parade either.

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