Complete History
 
Memorial

 Directory

 Reunion 2008

 Reunion Albums

 CAPO Members

 Related Links

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Welcome to our website

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About Our Patches


Casper the Friendly Ghost was our original call sign. It was later shortened to "Casper" in 1965.  From that point on, we were
proudly known as the

Casper Aviation Platoon.

 

The original Casper ghost

was painted by Donald

Bachali in 1965.  It was

quickly used by all of the

Caspers after that. There were at least three different Casper patches were worn in Vietnam from between 1965-1971.

This was one of originally designed patches that was worn by most of  the Casper crew members between 1968-1971.

This is the earliest version of the Casper patch worn

between 1965-1967.

This Inferno Aero Scout

patch was designed by

Rick Canning (KIA) and

worn by the LOH crew

members on their survival

vest between 1968-1971.

Casper's version of the Viet Cong Hunting Club.

This patch was designed by Jim Boswell for the Casper reunion in 1987.

APH-5 Flight Helmet.

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Reunion Albums

Remembrance

Photos & Video

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View My Guestbook
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Casper Bulletin Board

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Hit Counter

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Since January 1, 2002

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United We Stand

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Casper Aviation Platoon

Headquarters & Headquarters Company - 173d Airborne Brigade (Sep)

 

 

Origin & Brief History

Casper Aviation Platoon was the only separate aviation platoon in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.  Casper was organized with the 173d Airborne Brigade on Okinawa in 1963 and arrived in country with the Brigade on May 5, 1965 becoming the first U.S. Army ground unit committed to the Vietnam War. Casper Platoon supported the Brigade until they all left Vietnam in August 1971. 

Casper flew almost every type of heliborne mission there was including resupply, visual reconnaissance, Snoopy, Nighthawk, dust off, command & control and combat assault missions.  Besides loyalty and dedication to their job, Caspers had the highest "extension" rate in the Brigade.  Casper Platoon Veterans served the 173d Airborne Brigade proudly during their "Tour of Duty" , and continue to be honored today for their service in Vietnam.

"This website is dedicated to all of the men who served in Casper Aviation Platoon"

 

 

Ghost Town 1969

LZ English, Bong Son

During our Tour of Duty in Vietnam, the platoon was relocated four times and finally called LZ English home from 1968 to 1971. Casper's "Ghost Town"  was located on the east side of English and right next to "Sniper Village".  Enlarge Photo

 

Photo Albums

The Casper Platoon Photo Albums are a collection of photos submitted by Casper Crew Members. There are more than 

1000 photos posted here from Bien Hoa to Bong Son.


Links to some of our favorite places

How to contact us

  Ned Costa

  Webmaster
  NCHuey721@aol.com

  Don Charlton

  Directory Information
  CasperAvnPlt@aol.com

  Buddy King

  CAPO President, 2008
  stixnot@aol.com

Website Sections

Casper History | Memorial | Wounded | Online Directory | Related Web Links

CAPO Members | Casper Aircraft | Reunion | Unit Citations | 8th of November

Photo Albums:  Page 1   | Page 2   | Page 3   | Page 4   | Page 5   | Page 6  

Photo Albums:  Page 7   | Page 8   | Page 9   | Page 10 | Page 11 | Page 12

Photo Albums:  Page 13 | Page 14 | Page 15 | Page 16 | Page 17 | Page 18

Photo Albums:  Page 19 | Page 20 | Page 21 | Page 22 | Page 23 | Page 24

Photo Albums:  Page 25 | Page 26 | Page 27 | Page 28 | Page 29 | Page 30

Photo Albums:  Page 31 | Page 32 | Page 33 | Page 34 | Page 35 | Page 36

 

 

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Casper Platoon: Reunion 2008

Savannah, GA -- Celebrate the "4th of July" with us!

Aircraft Assigned

Casper Aircraft information

is provided by the VHPA.

 


Bien Hoa Airfield, 1966

 

Bong Son, 1968

 

Central Highlands, 1969

 

Bong Son, 1969



 

An Khe, 1970



Casper Extraction, 1970 Story

Map of Vietnam

Map of the Central Highlands and other information.

Helicopter Nose Art

Photos of Casper Helicopter Nose Art from 1965 to 1971.

Vietnam War Flags

Casper Platoon flag, 173d Airborne Brigade flag and others from this period.

Helicopter Dioramas

Depicting various scenes in Vietnam with Casper Aircraft.

Vietnam War Music

Vietnam War Movies

Songs from our tour of duty & movies about the VN war.

Online Newsletter

Casper Platoon News and Announcements. CAPO Event  Information & Updates.

Related Web Links

Best Viewed at:  800 x 600

Updated Late on: 3/31/08

Casper Aviation Platoon website was designed & created by: Ned Costa, Casper Crew Chief 7/68 - 7/69 

Copyright ©2002 - 2007  All Rights Reserved