RIF

RIF

RIF (Reconnaissance In Force) to the Generals was a term for a large scale operation. To us Grunts "Rif" was a verb for ANY walk in the sun - no matter the size of the unit.

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"RIF"

At the left, an unidentifiable rifleman walks point. Following behind him is SGT Wally Lauseman, next in file.

SGT Lauseman then RTO Gordie Kimbel.

Kimbel followed by 'Kit Carson Scout' Lyn.

Lyn is followed by an unidentified Grunt carrying an 'over-and-under' (XM-203).

The sequence above (from my video) was taken 2½ 'klicks' north of Trang Bang, in the lowlands, on the western bank of the stream known as "the Trang Bang River." Xua Báo Me area. Alpha Co., 2/12 INF. 1st Platoon. 1969.

[Thirty years latter, and I am still impressed with our "discipline."]

Ap An Binh

Proper 'dispersion' of our patrol in the VC controlled Ap An Binh, three 'klicks' east of Trang Bang. That is Norm Fork at the far right. You are looking north-north-east. Behind you, that dirt ox-cart road leads to Highway 1 at "the Little-Peoples-Big-Compound" [an old, tiangular shaped, French fort used by the ARVNs]. The fort was, just off and on the south side of HWY-1, a couple of klicks east of the bridge.

We knew this was VC because of the unfriendly and 'jumpy' nature of the people.

Even the ox didn't like us in Ap An Binh!

The little girl looks to her mother for guidance on how to act. The mother is wondering,

"Why is the running-dog-capitalist filming me?"

Machinegunner Ken Volkland lights up a Kool, and keeps a wary eye on 'em.

Ap An Binh, Hua Nghia Province, 32 miles (+/-) north-west of Saigon.

"Take five! Smoke, if you got 'em."

Dave Musgrave (L), two unidentified standing, Terry Mather(waving and squating at right), and behind him,at the far right, Joe Amari.

Yah! You're on 'Candid Camera'......

now, giddy-up and fly us HOME!