78^th Field Artillery (Radar), 13^th Combat Aviation Battalion, 1^st Aviation Brigade

Soc Trang and Can Tho, Vietnam

Author: Dwight Staehler, Vietnam 1967-68

Photo Album Links:

• Can Tho Airbase
• Soc Trang Airbase
• Soc Trang Town
• 78^th Field Artillery Detachment
• Tan San Nhut / Siagon Area

Overview

The 78^th Field Artillery Detachment was one of many small Target Acquisition Radar units stationed around Vietnam. According to some accounts there were around 50 different FA Radar Detachments in the country. Apparently, the detachment number designations were just random with no Regimental Affiliation. Staffing usually consisted of a Warrant Officer, a Sergeant (Section Chief), and five Specialists (a radar mechanic/technician and four operators).

Our Set was an AN/MPQ-4A Counter Mortar Radar trailer mounted on a raised platform to clear the surrounding structures. It was powered by a 7.5 KW motor generator placed underneath. The detachable control console was the duty room of our barracks. It utilized an analog computer to determine the launch coordinates of ballistic munitions.

During my tour from March 1967 to March 1968, The 78^th FA Det was located within the LY-THUONG_KIET ARVN compound and under the command of 13^th Aviation Battalion (Combat) “Guardian” of the 1^st Aviation Brigade. We were situated northeast of the Airfield and close to the city of Soc Trang (Kanh Hung), in the Mekong Delta (IV Corps). That vantage point provided the best coverage of Viet Cong launch sights. The radar installation was no longer operable after the Tet offensive in February of 1968, so the Personnel were recalled to the air base.

The SocTrang Airbase was originally a Japanese airfield during their WWII occupation of Indo China.

Within that time period, the following personnel rotated through the group:

Officers:

WO Strumpsky

WO Worley

Enlisted:

Section Chief -

SSGT Moore

Technicians – MOS 26B30

SP5 Nelson

SP5 Schoolmaster

SP5 Staehler

Operators – MOS ______

SP4 Boots

SP4 Burzynski

SP4 Edwards

SP4 Hilsinger

SP4 Irwin

SP4 Martinez

SP4 Reeves

SP4 Thrower

SP4 Walters

SP4 West

SP4 Young

AN/MPQ4-A Counter Mortar Radar Specifications:

Range

Maximum = 10,000 meter (6.2 miles)

Accuracy = +/- 10 Meters

Resolution = 50 meters

Azimuth

Coverage = 445 mil (25 degrees) fixed sector

Accuracy = +/- 1.5 mils

Transmitter

Frequency = 16,000 mc (Ku Band)

Peak Power = 50 KW

Rep Rate = 8,600 cps

Pulse Width = 0.25 microseconds

Power Unit

Type Motor driven, PU304

Output 208/120 Volts, 400 cps, Wye connected, 3 phase

Fuel consumption 2.15 gallons per hour