Scenarios
1970 Son Tay Raid 1970-11-21 · Son Tay prison camp, North Vietnam · Small-unit actions
Terrain map Your role You lead the support group (Greenleaf, 22 men) of the 56-man Son Tay raid ground force. The task force deputy commander rides in the same helicopter (Apple 1), but the element’s actions are yours to command.
Higher commander's intent Confirm on the ground whether prisoners are in the camp, and bring out any who are. Keep time on the ground within the plan, and bring every man back.
Situation Enemy: camp guard force (estimated around 45); heavy air defences (SAMs, AAA) and ground troops within 25 miles. A walled compound of unknown character lies about 400 m south of the camp. Friendly: 56-man ground force — assault group (Blueboy, 14, crash-landing in the courtyard in HH-3 Banana 1), support group (Greenleaf, 22, HH-53 Apple 1), security group (Redwine, 20, with the ground force commander). Gunship helicopters, A-1s and a flare ship in support.
Mission At H-hour the support group lands on the LZ south of the camp, breaches the south wall and suppresses the guard buildings outside the walls, supporting the assault group’s search and the movement of prisoners.
One-page print version
Sources Operation IVORY COAST, a "Mission of Mercy" (Robert D. Seals, USASOC History Office, 2020) — U.S. Army (PD_US_GOV)The Son Tay Raid (David C. Isby, Special Operations Outlook 2020–2021) — Defense Media Network (COPYRIGHTED)The Son Tay Raid (C. V. Glines, 1995) — Air & Space Forces Magazine (COPYRIGHTED)Into Son Tay (John T. Correll, 2018) — Air & Space Forces Magazine (COPYRIGHTED)Operation Ivory Coast — Wikipedia (CC_BY_SA)
