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 United States 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"
LZ English, Bong Son, 1969
During our Tour of Duty in Vietnam, the Casper Platoon was relocated four times and finally called LZ English our home from early 1968 to 1971. Casper's "Ghost Town" was located on the east side of LZ English and right next to what we called "Sniper Village.” This was a popular VC area after the sun went down.
Ghost Town
Map of Vietnam
Casper Aviation Platoon areas of operation from 1965 thru 1971.
Casper Aircraft Assigned
This complete list of the 173d ABN BDE | Casper Aviation Platoon aircraft information is provided by the Vietnam Helicopter Pilot Association, VHPA.
OH-13S Sioux "Hot Stuff." Bien Hoa Airfield, 1965
OH-13S Sioux "Hot Stuff". Bien Hoa Airfield, 1966
UH-1H Iroquois "Huey." Dak To, 1967
UH-1H Iroquois "Huey." An Khe, 1968
OH-6A Cayuse "Inferno Scout.” Central Highlands, 1968
Headquarters & Headquarter Company - 173d Airborne Brigade also received four U.S. Army Unit Citations and Campaign Participation. For more information:Unit Awards
PHOTO GALLERY:These Casper Aviation Platoon photo albums are a powerful collection of more than 1,000 pictures that historically documents our combat role and involvement during the Vietnam War from early 1965 thru 1971.
Many of the Casper Aviation Platoon crew members were awarded some of the medals below during their tour of duty in Vietnam: The Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Vietnam War Helicopter Model Dioramas
This section displays helicopter dioramas that depict various scenes in Southeast Asia featuring the different aircraft flown by the Casper Platoon.
On November 8, 1965, the 173d Airborne Brigade were ambushed by over 1,200 Viet Cong and 48 American soldiers were killed. Big & Rich wrote a song about this battle. Several Casper Platoon crew members were invited to participate at the concerts.
Casper the Friendly Ghost was our original call sign. It was shortened later in 1965 to just "Casper.” From that point on, our helicopter group was proudly known as the Casper Aviation Platoon.
The original Casper Platoon "Ghost" was first painted by a pilot in early 1965. It was then quickly used by all of the Caspers after that.
There were at least three different Casper Platoon patches that crewmen wore in Vietnam from 1965-1971:
(Above) Is the first version of the Casper Platoon patch. It was made in Bien Hoa and quickly worn by our original flight crewmen between 1965-1967.
(Above) Is our second patch design that replaced the original and then worn by many of the Casper Platoon crew as our platoon started to grow after 1968-1971.
(Above) The “Inferno” Aero Scout patch was designed to be worn by our OH-6 Inferno flight crew members on their survival vest from 1968-1971. The HIADD image was also painted on their aircraft.
(Above) "Viet Cong Hunting Club" was a popular theme among the different aviation units in Vietnam. This was our Casper Platoon version created in 1967.
(Above) In 1987, this patch was created for the Casper Platoon “mini-reunion” held at the VHPA Reunion.
(Above) These two Casper patches were created for our Nashville Reunion in 2017.
U.S. Army Aviator Wings
U.S. Army Aircrew Wings
The 173d Airborne Brigade (SEP) and Casper Aviation Platoon plus other flags during the Vietnam War.
Embassy Suites Fort Worth - March 18 thru March 20
173d Airborne Brigade • Casper Platoon
A typical work day for Casper with a great view from our office!
Caspers Areas of Operation (AO)
The Casper Aviation Platoon arrived in-country with the 173d Airborne Brigade in 1965 and left Vietnam in 1971. The Areas of Operation during this time was in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam: Bien Hoa, Dak To, Kontum, Pleiku, An Khe and then Bong Son at LZ English.