Rangers and Blue Tigers

The Blue Tigers flew as reaction force for the Rangers of II Field Force, Vietnam during most of my tour. For most of 1969, the Rangers were the Indiana Rangers of Company D (Ranger), 151st infantry. From December 1969 to April 1970 (when they stood down), they were the Delta Rangers of Company D (Ranger), 75th Infantry.

The stories of our adventures with the Rangers can be found throughout the Blue Tiger web site. I selected a few pictures of Rangers for this page to salute their service. I took the photos at Long Binh in December 1969.


Two Rangers outside their orderly room
at "Atterbury East" in Long Binh.
Bob Bennett Collection




I don't recall this Captain's name,
but his name tag appears to read "Knott".
Bob Bennett Collection




The Blue Tigers got to meet Astronaut Frank Borman (right) at the Ranger
compound when he toured Vietnam in December 1969. I believe the Major
in the center wearing glasses is Ranger 6, Major Richard W. Drisko.
Bob Bennett Collection






Helicopters and Blue Tigers

We flew a lot in support of the Rangers during my tour. However, even though we were part of an air cavalry squadron, we seldom saw helicopters from our fellow troops of the 3/17th. That apparently was the case throughout the Blue Tigers' stay in Vietnam.

There were a few exceptions. The Burning Stogies saved our bacon at the ambush at Ben Muong in 1968. The Blue Tigers taught Charliehorse troopers how to save their own bacon in February 1969, plus they gave us rides for a while. And the Blue Tigers saved the Silver Spurs' bacon (admittedly, belatedly, on the ground, and at night) at Lai Khe in the last half of 1971.

But most of the time, we rode the Annie Fannie birds from the 117th AHC and took cover under the guns of the Playboys of the 334th AHC. These are some pictures of birds from those companies, and a few others we came across in our peregrinations.




A Ranger team leaving on an Annie Fannie bird.
Bob Bennett Collection




The nose art on an Annie Fannie bird.
Bob Bennett Collection




The Bandits of the 3rd platoon of the 118th AHC waiting
to give the Rangers and the Blue Tiger reaction team cover.
Bob Bennett Collection




A snake from the Playboys of the 334th AHC
waiting to cover the Blue Tiger road recon at FB Rob.
Bob Bennett Collection




The nose art of a bird from an unknown AHC.
The Blue Tigers stood by on reaction duty when Vice
President Agnew moved through the area in January 1970
Bob Bennett Collection





Bob Bennett, Blue Tiger 20, 1969-1970




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